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We’ve all heard the story of Romeo and Juliet—a tale of two star-crossed lovers who end up dying at their own hands in the midst of the feuds between the Capulets and the Montagues. But what happens when Juliet lives at the end of the whole debacle, instead of killing herself over a man she’s only known for fewer than 24 hours?
& Juliet
Through 12/15: Tue 7 PM, Wed 1 and 7 PM, Thu 7 PM, Fri 7:30 PM, Sat 2 and 7:30 PM, Sun 1 PM; Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, broadwayinchicago.com, $66-$181
In the world of this musical (book by David West Read), William Shakespeare (Corey Mach) and his wife Anne Hathaway (Teal Wicks) choose to rewrite the ending of the play. In this new version, Juliet (Rachel Simone Webb) decides to live after Romeo’s death and travels to Paris with her friends May (Nick Drake) and April and her nurse Angélique (Kathryn Allison) in an effort to escape her parents’ wishes of her becoming a nun.
New characters like François Du Bois (Mateus Leite Cardoso) and his father Lance (Paul-Jordan Jansen) are introduced and hijinks ensue—including Romeo (Michael Canu) rising from the dead and a wedding that falls apart between François and Juliet.
The story is told through iconic hits from the late 90s, early 2000s, and early 2010s including songs from the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Kesha, Katy Perry, and more. (Max Martin & Friends are credited with original music.) All of the song selections speak to Juliet and the characters’ journey throughout the play as they work to find deeper meaning for themselves and in their relationships.
Throughout the show’s 160 minutes, the cast, directed by Luke Sheppard, perform iconic vocals and stunning dance performances (choreography by Jennifer Weber). Webb’s Juliet is a highlight of the show, with her impeccable stage presence and a voice that gives justice to the original songs’ predecessors. & Juliet is a coming-of-age story that will transcend generationally through song and meaning. (And if you miss it this time, Broadway in Chicago has announced it’s coming back in July.)
Reader Recommends: THEATER & DANCE
Reader reviews of Chicago theater, dance, comedy, and performance arts.
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