The Keller Auditorium is currently hosting the innovative jukebox musical & Juliet, which reimagines the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet in a refreshing and empowering manner.
Unlike Shakespeare’s original tragedy, this rendition features Juliet Capulet as a character who chooses to move on from her heartbreak, waking from her potion-induced slumber to face a bright future ahead.
The production, which runs until August 10, blends big Broadway spectacle with an array of pop hits from the late ’90s to 2013, delivering a lively and escapist experience for theatergoers.
With a runtime of two and a half hours, the audience is treated to a whirlwind of music and emotion, making it hard to resist the urge to sing and dance along.
When the iconic lines of songs like “Am I original?” from the Backstreet Boys’ 1997 hit “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” are heard, the audience naturally responds with enthusiasm.
Rachel Webb shines as Juliet Capulet, capturing the character’s inner turmoil and teen angst right from the beginning.
Her performance of “…Baby One More Time” sets a radiant tone for the musical, assuring the audience that they are in skilled hands.
The show also introduces a somewhat villainous character in William Shakespeare himself, portrayed by Corey Mach, who has been preoccupied with his writing in London.
Meanwhile, Anne (Nicole Lamb), Shakespeare’s wife, takes matters into her own hands, determined to rewrite the tragic ending of Romeo and Juliet, insisting that “the ending is shit” and questioning how it could be changed.
Since its debut in England in 2019, & Juliet has captivated audiences with its fusion of modern pop music and classic storytelling, showcasing around 30 hits throughout the show.
The musical cleverly intertwines present-day themes with the past, aligning well with recent hits like Moulin Rouge! The Musical and MJ: The Musical, creating delightful moments of recognition for the audience as they hear familiar melodies.
Standout moments include the heartfelt queer love story of Juliet’s friend May, played by Nick Drake, which is beautifully underscored by Adam Lambert’s “Whataya Want From Me,” and Juliet’s empowering arc highlighted by Katy Perry’s “Roar.”
& Juliet’s blend of fun, silliness, and serious undertones makes it a noteworthy production that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Romeo, played by Josh Jordan, makes a dramatic entrance at the end of Act I, swinging down from the ceiling to a Bon Jovi classic, capturing the playful essence of the show.
However, the production also explores deeper themes through the storylines of Anne and May, crafting a narrative that extends beyond surface-level entertainment.
The audience experienced a brief interruption during the performance on August 5 due to an undisclosed technical issue, but the cast and crew handled it seamlessly, resuming the fun shortly after.
Throughout the show, there’s no shortage of spectacle, featuring impressive pyrotechnics, confetti explosions, and a whimsical moon hanging from which Romeo and Juliet dangle.
By the end of the night, the Keller Auditorium had transformed into a glitter-laden mess, a testament to the high-energy performance.
The production concluded with an invitation for the audience to finally join in for the last song, yet it was ironically the weakest choice – Justin Timberlake’s all-too-familiar “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” from the 2016 Trolls movie.
Despite this minor hiccup, the overall experience of & Juliet was overwhelmingly positive, showcasing how Juliet found empowerment and purpose, contributing significantly to her narrative of self-actualization and liberation.
image source from：wweek
