By Michael Buzzelli
Time. Space. Reality. It’s more than a linear path. It’s a prism of endless possibility. Where a single choice can branch out into infinite realities, creating alternate worlds from the ones you know. Imagine if you will, a world where Anne Hathaway (Teal Wicks) – Mrs. Shakespeare, not the put-upon assistant in “The Devil Wears Prada” – grabs her husband’s pen and rewrites the tragic ending to “Romeo and Juliet.” The product is”& Juliet,” a poppy jukebox musical bouncing with sheer joy.
The plot – and there’s a lot of it for a bubbly romcom – centers around Juliet Capulet-Montague (Rachel Simone Webb) waking up in the mausoleum and finding her betrothed dead, but – and here’s the big but – she doesn’t plunge the dagger into her chest. She chooses life. Instead of being the victim of a tragic romance, she’s the survivor looking for her own agency.
She decides to run away from Verona and enlists her gender-fluid bestie May (Nick Drake), April (Anne writing herself into the story) and her nurse, Angelique (Kathryn Allison) to come with. They escape to Paris where there is a gender-bent love triangle, a pair of reunited lovers, and turbulence in Anne’s own marriage to Will (Corey Mach). There’s even a surprise guest star, a certain Gentleman of Verona who chases Juliet to Paris.
The gay best friend trope from a zillion romcoms is subverted here as a May finds François (Mateus Leite Cardoso) and they get their own love story.
Things get complicated over some of the greatest commercial hits of all time. Don’t worry. All’s Well That Ends Well.
“& Juliet” is a high-octane candy-coated jukebox musical filled with bubblegum pop. It’s exuberant. Joyous. The cast puts the spectacular in the spectacle.
Webb is glorious as Juliet. She is a belter of the highest pedigree. She is a charismatic lead and a joy to watch.
Mach is a fun Shakespeare. His character is not quite as egocentric as the Shakespeare-cum-Elvis from “Something Rotten!” Mach instills a sweet charm into the immortal playwright, even when he’s behaving badly. He’s rocking some Skylar Astin energy.
Anne gets the best lines, and Wicks delivers them flawlessly. Her banter with the Bard is electric. She trades barbs with him effortlessly, often – but not always – gaining the upper hand.
Note: On November 1, Shelby Griswold takes over the role of Anne until the end of the Pittsburgh run).
Drake is terrific as May. They are sensational in the role.
Paul-Jordan Jansen gets some great moments as Lance, a hard-ass military father who finally learns about love – in all of its splendor.
Michael Canu is a delightful Mr. Montague (in case you were wondering where for art thou Romeo? He’s right here).
Allison’s Angelique is effervescent, especially in her scenes with Jansen’s Lance.
Naima Alakham (Lady Capulet) is an imperious mom.
Andre Cerullo leads a magnificent band, playing more hits than Casey Kasem’s American Top 40. The songs are all hits from producer Max Martin, including “Baby One More Time,” “I Kissed a Girl,” and “Oops…I did it again.”
David West Read has wedged a few clunky lines in this story, but mostly sparkles with wit and wisdom. May’s name is a set up to the most painful pun.
Soutra Gilmour scenic design matched with Andrezej Goulding’s video and projection design is a kaleidoscopic feast for the eyes.
The bright rainbow of costumes, by Paloma Young, are inspired.
“& Juliet” is the perfect cotton candy confection of a big budget musical. It’s a spectacle, an extravaganza! Look closely, there are a couple of pointed messages under the layers of sugary goodness, like an engagement ring hiding in a parfait.
It’s also the play we need right now. Young, fun and full of contemporary wisdom.
-MB
“& Juliet” runs until November 3, 2024 at the Benedum Center, Seventh & Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.