“& Juliet” reimagines the classic tale as a witty, feminist triumph

By Isabella Mangeot | Arts Angle Vantage Reporter

duPont Manual High School, Class of 2027

William Shakespeare has been associated with many things in the four centuries since his plays were first published. Directors have taken his plays in countless directions, but rarely are his tales associated with the Backstreet Boys.

Mateus Leite Cardoso and Rachel Simone Webb in the North American Tour of “& Juliet.” Photo by Matthew Murphy.  Courtesy PNC Broadway in Louisville.

This happens in “& Juliet,” which premiered at the Kentucky Performing Arts Center on April 22 and ran through April 27. This show is a feminist reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic love story, “Romeo and Juliet.” While audience members may not have heard of Max Martin, the songwriter behind the numbers featured in this jukebox musical, they certainly know his songs. They include “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” “I Kissed a Girl” and “Baby One More Time.” This engaging story effectively utilizes popular songs, humor and the fourth wall, such as multiple characters speaking directly to the audience to both entertain and leave the audience thinking about gender equality and the importance of freedom. 

Almost everyone is familiar with the ending of “Romeo and Juliet.” Juliet wakes up, sees that Romeo is dead and decides to end her life. But “& Juliet” provides an alternate ending: Juliet (Rachel Simone Webb) decides to live. Though Juliet is the central character, William Shakespeare (Corey Mach) and his wife, Anne Hathaway (Teal Wicks), control the show. 

The first number, “Larger Than Life,” introduces William as a hero, highlighting his near-mythical status in history. This contrasts with his wife’s entrance. The ensemble’s reaction mirrors the fact that most people know little about Hathaway. (One ensemble member states they didn’t know Shakespeare was married.) The audience members are then told this is the night of the first-ever performance of “Romeo and Juliet.” William has finally finished writing the ending. Though William is pleased with the tragic ending, Anne decides to steal the quill and write her own version. 

After choosing to live, Juliet travels to Paris to be independent. Her bold decision shocks her friends, though they ultimately decide to come with her. Her friends include May (Nick Drake), the eccentric best friend; April, Anne’s self-inserted character; and Angélique (Naina Alakham), Juliet’s nurse. While there, the group meets François (Mateus Leite Cardoso), a man being hounded by his father, Lance (Paul-Jordan Jansen), to marry quickly, despite his shyness. 

After only spending one night together, Juliet and François decide to get married. Though Anne is satisfied with this story, William thinks it lacks conflict and decides to throw a wrench in the happy ending; he revives Romeo (Michael Canu). The following drama is a hilarious, if occasionally campy, story with deep themes buried beneath contemporary pop music. 

The clever use of the Backstreet Boys in the show’s opening instantly engaged the audience. Several members even danced in their seats after only a few notes. William repeatedly spoke directly to the audience. At the outset, he thanked them for coming and quoted himself throughout the musical. Anne also interacted with members, telling them about her marital problems. This breaking of the fourth wall involved the audience in the story. The device also clearly showed that William and Anne would serve as a bridge between the audience and other characters who rarely broke that wall. 

Michael Canu and the company of the North American Tour of “& Juliet.” Photo by Matthew Murphy.  Courtesy PNC Broadway in Louisville.

Anne and William’s dynamic is a prime example of this musical’s statement on gender dynamics in today's world. “Are you a strong enough man to write a strong woman?” Anne asks William. Though they are supposedly to be living in the 16th century, Anne’s complaints regarding William’s attitude towards women would sound familiar to a modern audience. 

Later, William tells a newly revived Romeo that he is Juliet’s “only hope,” adding another misogynistic plot device. This proves Anne’s point — William is reluctant to write a story with a strong female character.  

William’s remark to Romeo couldn’t be further from the truth. Juliet’s journey leads her to discover how to live life according to her own wishes. When Romeo comes to win her back, she stands her ground and refuses to return to living as she had. The show ends with Juliet setting the terms for her and Romeo’s future relationship by telling him she wishes to take things slow. 

Juliet isn’t the only character who decides to take their life into their own hands. Upon their first meeting, François and May have instant chemistry. Unfortunately, they are hesitant to pursue a relationship. François is afraid of what his father would think, while May struggles with confidence in their gender and sexuality. In the end, they decide to be together, choosing to be happy despite what everyone else may think of their relationship. 

The cast’s astounding performers deliver these complicated themes to life while cleverly singing popular songs. Webb changed “Baby One More Time” from a 90s hit into a heart-wrenching ballad; Drake and Cardoso tell the story of François and May’s relationship through a duet of “I Kissed a Girl”; and the audience roared with laughter during this show’s take on “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” performed by Canu, Cardoso, Drake, Jansen and Mach.  

Underneath the flashy costumes (Paloma Young), dazzling choreography (Jennifer Weber) and brightly colored sets (Soutra Gilmour), the audience clearly loved the feminist story of “& Juliet.” The audience connected with Shakespeare’s characters on a new level through pop music. Even one of its songs sums up the musical’s attitude towards life: when it comes to choosing between what you want to do with your life and what others tell you, always say, “It's Gonna Be Me.”

Isabella Mangeot (she/her), a sophomore at duPont Manual High School and Manual RedEye staff member, is likely reading, baking, listening to music, riding her bike or keeping up with the latest political news when she isn't writing. Mangeot loves musicals and hopes to review many more in the future.