The nine-time 2023 Tony nominated musical
& Juliet arrived at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis this week. I knew very little about the show going into it, other than it had something to do with Shakespeare's
Romeo and Juliet, and the score was comprised of pop songs. No expectations often leads to a great experience at the theater, and that was definitely the case here. The book (written by
Schitt's Creek writer David West Read) is very clever in its meta structure, includes lots of Shakespeare references and a bit of rhyme, and is modern, feminist, and very funny. The score features well-chosen pop songs by artists of the last few decades, from Britney Spears to the Backstreet Boys to Katy Perry, all of them written or co-written by prolific Swedish songwriter
Max Martin. And despite the fact that I knew maybe a third of these songs (I'm a nerd, I don't know pop music from any decade), I found it to be a really fun, entertaining, feel-good show.
& Juliet continues at the Orpheum Theatre through May 18 only.
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the Shakespeares do their dance (Corey Mach and Teal Wicks)
(photo by Matthew Murphy) |
This really clever rewrite of the classic love story sets it as a play-within-a-play during Shakespeare's time. The story opens with Will and his wife Anne on opening night of
Romeo and Juliet, when Anne asks her husband to rewrite the ending so that Juliet doesn't die, and instead goes on with her life after the tragic death of her beloved, and makes her own choices. We then see the play being performed by a group of players as Will and Anne are writing it, often wrestling for control of the narrative. Anne writes herself into the story as Juliet's friend April because it's her night out (leaving her two daughters at home in Stratford) and she wants to have fun. Juliet, April, her other bestie May (who's non-binary, not a stretch in Shakespeare's gender-bending world), and her nurse Angelique travel to Paris to attend a ball and enjoy themselves. Juliet finds herself in another quick engagement, but things don't go so smoothly with this one either. In the end the characters in this show do what the characters in
Romeo and Juliet cannot - make their own choices, defy society's expectations, and live a happy life.
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Juliet and... Francois? (Rachel Simone Webb and
Mateus Leita Cadosa, photo by Matthew Murphy) |
This touring cast really couldn't be better; from the leads to supporting players to the hard-working ensemble, everyone performs with such energy and joy that it's infectious. Rachel Simone Webb is a star as Juliet, effortlessly cool with a strong, clear, gorgeous voice with impeccable control. Teal Wicks as Anne/April is kinda my favorite, she's so funny and charmingly awkward as this mom out on the town, and does a lot of great comedic singing which is such a specific skill. Corey Mach is a charmer as Shakespeare, and does not make it look "
Hard to be the Bard," in fact it looks like a lot of fun, and the Will/Anne relationship is the most real and interesting in the show. Also great are Nick Drake as the sweet May, with a beautiful arc about finding their true life and love; Kathryn Allison the nurse who finally gets a name, a story, and a love interest; Paul-Jordan Jansen as said love interest, a dashing Frenchman from her past; Mateus Leite Cardosa as Juliet's adorkable new sudden fiancé Francois; and Daniel J. Maldonado as Romeo who, spoiler alert, appears like a rock star and turns out to be not quite who Juliet thought he was, but maybe that's OK.
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| photo by Matthew Murphy |
The show moves from Will and Anne's London setting to the Verona and Paris of the play-within-a-play, with charming little touches in the set to hint at the location, as well as place names and street signs projected on the walls. The set feels graphic and representational rather than realistic, with some fun aerial moments. The costumes have a similar modern streetwear vibe with Elizabethan touches. The lighting and sound design make you feel like you're at a rock concert, in a good way (note: I've never been to a real rock concert, only the theater kind). The seven-piece band, situated somewhere offstage, running out to take a bow at curtain call, also contributes to the rock concert vibe of the show, although some of the songs are slowed down to a slower place, allowing us to really hear the ridiculous yet appropriate lyrics. The dancing is spectacular, with fun, fast, modern choreography performed with energy, precision, and personality by the cast. (Direction by Luke Sheppard, choreography by Jennifer Weber, scenic design by Soutra Gilmour, costume design by Paloma Young, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Gareth Owen, projection design by Andrzej Goulding.)
I've been hearing about & Juliet for a couple years, but never gave it too much thought as the jukebox musical is not my favorite kind of musical. But this one is really fun, thanks to the clever modern Shakespearean tale and well-chosen songs.
