You may not know the name Max Martin, but you undoubtedly know his music. Martin is a Swedish songwriter/producer who has written many of the biggest chart-toppers on the planet since the late ‘90s. He’s written so many hits, you could even refer to him as the William Shakespeare of modern music. Now his songs have combined with a Shakespeare story to create the jubilant new Broadway musical & Juliet.
& Juliet tells a feminist “what if” story, in which Juliet doesn’t kill herself over Romeo and goes on a coming-of-age journey. In this show, Anne Hathaway convinces her husband William Shakespeare to make changes to his new play Romeo & Juliet. Throughout the story, both William and Anne continue changing the plot, bickering over which characters should be included and what their fates should be. Then there’s the eponymous Juliet, who wants to make her own decisions for once and determine her own fate.
The musical’s book was written by David West Read, a writer and executive producer from the hit TV show Schitt’s Creek. The book does an excellent job poking fun at the absurdities in the original Romeo & Juliet and cleverly breaking the fourth wall on multiple occasions. Luke Sheppard’s direction perfectly captures the playful tone of this show instead of falling into the occasional jukebox musical trap of taking itself overly seriously.
The score is comprised of hit songs written by Max Martin and his collaborators. This includes the best songs made famous by the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, and more. Martin’s decades-long ability to compose catchy songs is astounding and there isn’t a single song in the show that doesn’t make you want to at least tap your feet or bob your head. The arrangements and orchestrations from Bill Sherman are, in many cases, completely distinct from the original hits we all know, so it doesn’t feel like you’re listening to a carbon copy.
The cast assembled is truly stellar. In the title role of Juliet, newcomer Lorna Courtney breaks out as a powerhouse. She has youthful exuberance that feels authentic for the teenage character and an electric stage presence. Her singing voice is spectacular, especially featured by her high belts. Broadway veteran Betsy Wolfe plays Anne, who acts as a narrator and then inserts herself into the story. The fun she’s having with the show is palpable and she brings her signature powerful voice to the songs. Stark Sands plays William, who starts off as arrogant (similar to the portrayal of Shakespeare in Something Rotten) but begins to have more fun with rewriting his story over time. Sands has an energetic voice made evident in the opening number, “Larger Than Life.” The entire cast is excellent; one standout is Philippe Arroyo in his Broadway debut playing Francois, a heartthrob prince trying to figure out what he wants. Arroyo has a silky-smooth singing voice and plays the role with earnestness. Another standout is Justin David Sullivan playing May, a non-binary friend of Juliet trying to be supportive and feel comfortable in their identity.
& Juliet is the musical equivalent of candy. It’s light, sweet, and you can’t get enough of it. By winking at the audience and not taking itself too seriously, you’re given full permission to indulge in the fun of it all. I’m not always enamored with jukebox musicals, but this one was an absolute blast. If you enjoy the hit songs of the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, *NSYNC, P!nk, and more (and really, how can you not?) then you’ll be sure to love & Juliet.