Courtesy of Broadway in Detroit
A musical that seeks to reshape and recontextualize “Romeo and Juliet” (as a result of that’s by no means been performed earlier than!) by way of the lens of contemporary pop music, “& Juliet” is a intelligent, if usually inert, jukebox musical that leans closely on recognizable IP to maintain audiences engaged. Constructed round a e-book of #1 hits from songwriter Max Martin, the present strings collectively tunes from Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, and Britney Spears, utilizing tracks like “Teenage Dream,” “Since U Been Gone,” and “…Child One Extra Time” because the spine of its story.
On the heart is William Shakespeare (performed with delightfully daft power by CJ Eldred) and his spouse Anne Hathaway (no, not that Anne Hathaway!) performed by an enigmatic Crystal Kellogg. Collectively, they rework the ending of “Romeo & Juliet,” asking the apparent revisionist query: what if Juliet didn’t kill herself?
Therefore “& Juliet.” Romeo is out, and Juliet runs off to Paris looking for independence, id, and, naturally, a couple of new romantic prospects. The present leans onerous into trendy sensibilities with a pro-feminist, rah-rah empowerment angle that feels refreshing at first, even when it’s not precisely refined about it.
However then there’s the jukebox musical downside.
Should you’re already skeptical of the style, nothing right here goes to vary your thoughts. The present continuously bends backwards to justify why a Backstreet Boys anthem like “I Need It That Method” exists on this world. The logic is secondary to the vibe, and the vibe is “hey, this track.” And to be honest, there may be enjoyable available. Listening to Kesha’s “Blow” or Demi Lovato’s “Assured” carried out stay by a high-energy solid offers the present an simple pulse and Jennifer Weber’s choreography is magnetic. However that power doesn’t all the time translate right into a story that feels cohesive or earned.
The e-book is the place issues actually begin to wobble. The framing system, with Shakespeare and Hathaway actively rewriting the story in actual time, raises extra questions than it solutions. Are we watching actors in a troupe? Are these characters conscious they’re being rewritten? Is that this all taking place in Shakespeare’s head? The present doesn’t appear notably focused on clarifying any of it, as an alternative hoping the barrage of acquainted songs will clean over the confusion.
Mockingly, that framing system finally ends up undercutting Juliet herself. Performed with sturdy vocals by Fabiola Caraballo Quijada, Juliet needs to be the emotional anchor of the present, however she usually comes throughout as bratty and reactive moderately than totally realized. By the ultimate stretch, the main target shifts closely towards William and Anne’s marital spats, turning the climax into one thing nearer to their story than hers.
When Juliet arrives in Paris, the present introduces a colourful supporting solid, together with her non-binary greatest buddy Could (performed on this efficiency by swing Jordan Ibe), who sadly feels extra like a token archetype than a completely developed character. Then there’s Lance (a scene-stealing Paul-Jordan Jansen), a ridiculous French aristocrat attempting to marry off his son François (Noah Marlowe). What follows is a chaotic net of affection triangles, revived characters, and more and more messy plotting that feels very Shakespearean in construction, if not in execution.
The second act is the place the wheels actually begin to come off. The present barrels by way of a rapid-fire playlist of hits like “It’s Gonna Be Me,” “Stronger,” “Form of My Coronary heart,” and “Roar,” barely giving any of them room to breathe. The viewers, to their credit score, eats it up. The second these opening chords hit, individuals are virtually out of their seat and chuckling to themselves as a result of they know what’s coming.
Even after two (!) confetti explosions and a finale set to “Can’t Cease the Feeling,” “& Juliet” sends you out on a excessive, nevertheless it’s a excessive that feels manufactured. The present is continually chasing that subsequent burst of recognition, as an alternative of constructing something with actual weight beneath it. It’s undeniably enjoyable within the second, however as soon as the music stops, there’s not a lot feeling in your physique.
“& Juliet” is now enjoying by way of April 12 on the Fisher Theatre. Tickets will be bought right here.