KeyBank’s Broadway Series ‘& Juliet’ changes history for the better
What if? Those two simple words that hold so much power in our lives. Nary a man or woman is alive who does not have some kind of regret for “not taking the path less traveled”. But what if we could make a correction on any one of the many bad decisions that we have encountered in life. Would we take that chance realizing that it could complicate our existence even more?
This is the theme of the Broadway hit “& Juliet” where David West Read has taken the classic Shakespearean romagy (romance/tragedy) and turned it on its ear. The contemporary music and lyrics are by Max Martin (and friends) who has produced the most #1 hits of all time. The touring show is currently in the Connor Palace Theatre at Playhouse Square.
“& Juliet” hit the stage at the Manchester Opera House in September of 2019 before taking up residence in London’s West End in November of that same year. It had nine Laurence Olivier Award nominations with three wins as well as a record breaking 13 nominations at the 2020 WhatsOnStage Awards winning six. It made its way to Broadway in 2022 with nine Tony Award nominations but no wins.
The show mainly focuses on the relationship of William Shakespeare and his wife Anne and the troubled long distance relationship that at this time is coming to a head. With all honesty, the show could easily have been called “& Juliet, & Anne, & William”.
William Shakespeare (Corey Mach) is putting the finishing touches on his greatest tragedy to date, namely “Romeo and Juliet” (“Large Than Life”) when he is paid a visit by his disinterested wife, Anne (Teal Wicks) who is tired of being stuck with the kids back at Stratford On Avon. She has traveled all the way to London (on a girl’s day out) to confront her famous husband and see his new show. When she sees how R & J has ended she remarks that it is a terrible finish and that she could come up with something far better (“I Want It That Way”). The cast agrees with her and William decides to give her a shot at writing.
In Anne’s version, We find Juliet (Rachel Simone Webb) in the crypt with her Dr. Drey’s Beats firmly covering her ear holes. She is having second thoughts about offing herself with the dagger (“...Baby One More Time”) and leaves the crypt a bit wiser. Unfortunately, with Romeo as her secret husband and Count Paris (her arranged husband) both dead her prospects are grim. At Romeo’s funeral, Juliet finds that her husband had many “relations” with both men and women. In fact a crowd of them have come to mourn (“Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely”).
Her parents resort to the fall back solution of the time “get thee to a nunnery” in spite of the protests from Juliet’s nurse, Angelique (Kathryn Allison) and non-binary friend, May (Nick Drake). Anne writes herself into the play as Juliet’s older friend, April and the four decide it is time to get out of town and travel to Paris (“Domino”). To be fair, Anne writes in William as the carriage driver (“Show Me Love”).
In Paris a grand ball has been announced for Francois (Mateus Leite Cardoso) in hopes of finding him a wife. His father, Lance (Paul-Jordan Jansen) has given his son two options...marriage or the army. Francois has no interest in either. At the grand soiree Juliet, Angelique, May and April sneak in (“Blow”) and while Francois notices them he does not mind.
May confides in Juliet about the struggles of a non-binary person in a binary world (“I’m Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman”). May meets and becomes attracted to Francois who finds himself attracted to Juliet when they share their experience of living stifled lives with overbearing parents (“Overprotected”) and as they dance (“Confident”).
Meanwhile, Nurse Angelique and Lance hook up and spend the night together. It is revealed that she was the former nurse to his children and now deceased wife and had an affair before she left for London. Lance begs her to stay but Angelique is determined to see Juliet safely married before making plans for her life (“Teenage Dream/Break Free”).
Juliet ends up waking up in the carriage with Francois who proposes on the spot as Juliet agonizing about her previous doomed relationship (Oops!...I Did It Again”). When Juliet’s parents arrive to take her to the convent she desperately accepts Francois’s proposal. Anne gets angry with William for taking over the writing and forcing Juliet’s hand once again stating that he never writes about happy marriages. William mentions his new play “Macbeth”.
To introduce conflict, William has Francois and May meet once more to share a sudden kiss which raises conflicting thoughts for both (“I Kissed A Girl”) and to add further turmoil William brings Romeo back from the dead (it was only a sleeping potion as well). Romeo arrives in Paris to declare Juliet as his wife (“It’s My Life”).
This is a grand jukebox musical with all the Broadway trappings we have come to expect. The costumes by Paloma Young are a blend of modern fabrics and Elizabethan influences that somehow work well. The sparse but colorful scenic design by Soutra Gilmour gives the cast plenty of room to prance about. Howard Hudson’s Lighting Design is brilliant playing a major part in focusing our attention where needed. Gareth Owen has a crisp sound design that allowed easy listening of all of the lyrics and dialogue. Andrzej Goulding has video and projections designs not only on stage by on all the walls of the theater that adds to the location feeling. Music director Andre Cerullo with his six piece orchestra does a remarkable job with the musical offerings. There are also all sorts of “easter eggs” sprinkled throughout the show both visual and lyrical. At the opening scene there is a full size jukebox as well as a large bubblegum machine both hinting at the type of musical and expected tunes.
As for the cast they are well fitted together as a working troupe and ensemble. No less than five cast members are Baldwin Wallace Musical Theater alumni that include Corey Mach as Shakespeare, Nick Drake as May, Mateus Leite Cardoso as Francois, Camille Brooks as Judith and Shelby Griswold as Lucy.
Teal Wicks as Anne is stupendous with her fine acting and comedic skills as well as fine singing voice. You will be moved by her performance. Corey Mach as William Shakespeare plays the ego ridden playwright to a “T” as he tries to placate his wife but still maintain his writing integrity. Kathryn Allison as Nurse Angelique is an absolute hoot as Juliet’s protector while trying to keep at arms length from her own paramour. Rachel Simone Webb as Juliet gives a stunning performance as the girl/woman torn between various worlds and traditions. She is easy to relate to. Nick Drake as May does a fine turn as the non-binary person in a hostile world. Paul-Jordan Jansen as the blustery Lance gets to show his gentle side as well.
The only negative comment that could be made on the show is with its length. There is after all too much of a good thing. With 28 songs and one reprise it runs a little over two and a half hours plus a fifteen minute intermission. Some judicious trimming of songs and dialogue could be warranted but what do I know. The crowd on opening night really seemed into it. Be forewarned, there is also a slew of double entendre and naughty words that probably makes this not a show for young children. I would say that teens and older would be OK with the show.
For those of us who questioned “The Bard” on his choice of endings (theatrical blasphemy) a refreshing and delightful welcomed change of pace has arrived. We are introduced to William’s wife and his marriage strife along with a “second chance” ending that many will love.
The KeyBank Broadway Series touring production of “& Juliet” will be on stage in the Connor Palace Theatre at Playhouse Square through March 23, 2025. For more information and tickets go to https://www.playhousesquare.org/ or call (216) 241-6000.
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