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Regional Reviews: Phoenix & Juliet Also see Gil's reviews of Looking Over the President's Shoulder, Little Shop of Horrors, Titanic, and Deceived
What if Juliet, in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, did not die? That's the question & Juliet asks by setting the musical on the eve of the premiere of that play for which Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathway, questions its tragic ending. Instead of ending her life at the point of a dagger, Anne sets Juliet off on a new journey of agency, friendship, and love. The plot follows Juliet as she, with a little help from Anne, rewrites her fate, teams up with her nurse and her best friend May, ventures to Paris, and confronts the forces of tradition and expectation. Along the way, she meets new allies and rivals, sings through the hits of pop songwriter Max Martin, and discovers that the greatest risk is living life without rewriting your own story. The score, featuring many well-known pop songs written by Max Martin, frames this journey with irresistible rhythm and flair. Songs like "...Baby One More Time," "Since U Been Gone," and "Roar" are re-imagined in clever ways with the lyrics appropriately reflecting Juliet's internal transformation and the thoughts of the other characters, while also tying into the show's themes of choice, resilience, and friendship. The book by David West Read reworks the familiar Shakespeare characters (along with a few new ones) into a narrative that balances humor with heart, and the score embraces the familiar pop tunes while giving the performers the chance to show off their impressive vocals. The national tour cast is excellent. As Juliet, who is no longer the lovesick girl from Shakespeare's tragedy, understudy Lois Ellise brings infectious charisma, vocal power, and a lovely sense of humor. Her bold, curious, and determined portrayal of this young woman who is now in control of her own story makes Juliet's journey toward self-discovery both funny and empowering. Ellise's chemistry with Nico Ochoa, who plays May, adds humor and warmth, making their friendship feel authentic. May is witty, self-aware, and struggling to be accepted for who they are and Ochoa's portrayal adds depth and heart to the show as someone who explores identity and the freedom to love without labels. As Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare's wife and the true driving force behind the rewrite of Juliet's fate, Crystal Kellogg is smart, imaginative, and assertive. Anne challenges her husband's vision and insists that women deserve their own voices and endings, and Kellogg is superb in the role. CJ Eldred is equally as good as Shakespeare, who is both proud of and threatened by Anne's revisions to his work. Eldred is appropriately arrogant in the role but we also see from his nuanced portrayal that Shakespeare is vulnerable, as he learns that storytelling, like life, can evolve and of the importance of a positive work/life balance. Paul-Jordan Jansen is great, with an abundance of warmth underneath his brave exterior, as Lance DuBois, a proud and traditional man the group meet in Paris. As Angelique, Juliet's nurse who is also her confidante and provides much of the comic relief in the show, Kathryn Allison is full of heart and humor; Allison's delivery of "Fucking Perfect" is excellent. Joseph Torres is, appropriately, charming but also hilariously self-absorbed as Romeo, and Noah Marlowe is good as François, Lance's awkward son, who adequately depicts how this young man is caught between parental expectations and his own romantic feelings. The entire cast shine throughout, with tight harmonies and impressive dancing that bring a non-stop energy to the show. Luke Sheppard's direction keeps the momentum brisk and the tone playful while allowing moments of genuine warmth and self-discovery to shine through. The combination of the playful direction with the inventive book and familiar pop hits plays up the fun aspect of the show and, along with the intriguing and realistic characters, makes this a musical that feels fresh and timely rather than just another jukebox musical of hit pop tunes shoe-horned into a lackluster story. Visually, the national tour production dazzles. Paloma Young's costumes blend Elizabethan references with modern streetwear flair, while Jennifer Weber's choreography mixes classic musical theatre dances and pop-concert moves. The set by Soutra Gilmour is layered and bold, with imaginative projections, and the lighting by Howard Hudson is vibrant and colorful, while also helping to evoke the moods and romance in the musical. The sound can sometimes be an issue at Gammage but Gareth Owen's design delivers vocals that are crisp, loud, and clear. & Juliet is an upbeat combination of humor, heart, and musical joy. It proves that a famous tragedy can become a powerful story of empowerment and that pop music and theatre can joyfully collide into something that is greater than the sum of its parts. The excellent national tour cast, imaginative direction, and vibrant creative elements create a colorful, emotionally rich tapestry that reimagines Romeo and Juliet into a story with an empowering sense of second chances and results in an uplifting and thoroughly entertaining musical treat. & Juliet runs through November 9, 2025, at ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Avenue, Tempe AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.asugammage.com or call 480-965-3434. For information on the tour, visit andjulietbroadway.com. Book: David West Read Cast: |
