& JULIET, a jukebox-style musical with a serious commitment to having fun, is not a serious jukebox. This is my favorite jukebox musical. I know that the market for theaters is oversaturated with these shows, but this one has a unique charm. The jukebox catalogue of & JULIET is a veritable millennial’s catnip. Its song list traces 25 years worth of Max Martin’s pop hits. The iconic Swedish pop producer is responsible for all songs, whether they were written by him, co-written or produced. These songs are irresistible.
It’s cotton candy fluff but with a clever SIX-like sense of humor. & JULIET asks the question: what would happen if Juliet survived? Shakespeare’s wife Anne Hathaway and the pompous SOMETHING ROTTEN style Shakespeare (Corey Mach nailing his machismo charm) fight over an alternate version of this classic tale. Anne Hathaway wants to reclaim Shakespeare’s quill to rewrite the classic story, giving Juliet (Rachel Simone Webb), the plucky Juliet, some freedom. She also wants to give Romeo the chance to choose if he is the right man for her.
Anne, disguised as herself, writes the story of Anne, and in her version, Juliet leaves for Paris with May, her best non-binary friend (Nick Drake), Angelique, her nurse (Kathryn Allison), “April”, her friend (Anne). The wealthy but shy heir Francois, played by Mateus Leite Cardoso, and his powerful father Lance, played by Paul-Jordan Jansen with some excellent character and accent work, soon meet them. A love triangle develops when Francois, May and Juliet form a sort of relationship. Meanwhile, Angelique and Lance discover a surprising connection in their past. This is a delightful and funny confection that will make you laugh out loud.
The plot of & JULIET is a bit silly, but it holds together nicely. Book writer David Read West gives the cast a chance to express themselves through Max Martins hits. The show includes songs by Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys as well as Ariana Grande, The Weeknd N*SYNC Katy Perry Jessie J P!nk Demi Lovato. West is able to create scenarios where these hit songs fit into the storyline, and are extensions of characters’ emotions.
One big mistake is the odd pigeonholing “I’m Not a Girl Not Yet a Woman”, as a solo song for May. Drake is a strong singer and delivers an emotional performance. But assigning this song to a character who is not cisgender doesn’t make sense. The majority of song selections are good. Kesha’s “Blow” works well for Juliet’s entrance to a Renaissance Ball. In a downtempo moment in act 2, May and Francois sing an emotional duet called “Whataya want from me.” Drake and Cardoso also sound great.
Lance Sheppard assembled a fantastic ensemble of Broadway pop singers. Bill Sherman’s arrangements are a balance of Broadway and pop, so &JULIET requires Broadway pop voices. This tour cast is a success. Webb’s vocals are crisp and clear. Her tone is pure, which fits the image of Juliet ingenue. Wicks is a beautiful singer. She has a pop sensibility, but also a lot more depth. Her rendition of Celine Dion’s “That’s The Way It Its” is pure musical theatre.
The design of & JULIET is full of sparkles and glitter. That’s what I wanted for this jukebox-musical. The touring production faithfully translates Soutra Gilmour’s glittering set — complete with jaw-dropping detail like a huge chandelier that Juliet hangs from at Renaissance Ball. Paloma’s costumes combine 2024 flair with fun details to evoke Shakespeare’s time. The costumes are full of corsets and codpieces but also sequins, white sneakers, and a lot more. Jennifer Weber’s choreography has the feel of a music video from the early 2000s with a contemporary and Broadway flair.
Overall, &JULIET is an enticing confection that has a great story, lots of Max Martin earworms and vocals as powerful as the original recordings. & JULIET would be a show that I would choose from the assortment of jukebox shows — it is a tasty treat.
