'& Juliet' review: Pop bangers can't save this messy remix of Shakespeare

Courtesy of Broadway in Detroit

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A musical that seeks to reshape and recontextualize “Romeo and Juliet” (because that’s never been done before!) through the lens of modern pop music, “& Juliet” is a clever, if often inert, jukebox musical that leans heavily on recognizable IP to keep audiences engaged. Built around a book of #1 hits from songwriter Max Martin, the show strings together tunes from Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, and Britney Spears, using tracks like “Teenage Dream,” “Since U Been Gone,” and “…Baby One More Time” as the backbone of its story.

At the center is William Shakespeare (played with delightfully daft energy by CJ Eldred) and his wife Anne Hathaway (no, not that Anne Hathaway!) played by an enigmatic Crystal Kellogg. Together, they rework the ending of “Romeo & Juliet,” asking the obvious revisionist question: what if Juliet didn’t kill herself?

Hence “& Juliet.” Romeo is out, and Juliet runs off to Paris in search of independence, identity, and, naturally, a few new romantic prospects. The show leans hard into modern sensibilities with a pro-feminist, rah-rah empowerment angle that feels refreshing at first, even if it’s not exactly subtle about it.

But then there’s the jukebox musical problem.

If you’re already skeptical of the genre, nothing here is going to change your mind. The show constantly bends backwards to justify why a Backstreet Boys anthem like “I Want It That Way” exists in this world. The logic is secondary to the vibe, and the vibe is “hey, you know this song.” And to be fair, there is fun to be had. Hearing Kesha’s “Blow” or Demi Lovato’s “Confident” performed live by a high-energy cast gives the show an undeniable pulse and Jennifer Weber's choreography is magnetic. But that energy doesn’t always translate into a story that feels cohesive or earned.

The book is where things really start to wobble. The framing device, with Shakespeare and Hathaway actively rewriting the story in real time, raises more questions than it answers. Are we watching actors in a troupe? Are these characters aware they’re being rewritten? Is this all happening in Shakespeare’s head? The show doesn’t seem particularly interested in clarifying any of it, instead hoping the barrage of familiar songs will smooth over the confusion.

Ironically, that framing device ends up undercutting Juliet herself. Played with strong vocals by Fabiola Caraballo Quijada, Juliet should be the emotional anchor of the show, but she often comes across as bratty and reactive rather than fully realized. By the final stretch, the focus shifts heavily toward William and Anne’s marital spats, turning the climax into something closer to their story than hers.

When Juliet arrives in Paris, the show introduces a colorful supporting cast, including her non-binary best friend May (played in this performance by swing Jordan Ibe), who unfortunately feels more like a token archetype than a fully developed character. Then there’s Lance (a scene-stealing Paul-Jordan Jansen), a ridiculous French aristocrat trying to marry off his son François (Noah Marlowe). What follows is a chaotic web of love triangles, revived characters, and increasingly messy plotting that feels very Shakespearean in structure, if not in execution.

The second act is where the wheels really start to come off. The show barrels through a rapid-fire playlist of hits like “It’s Gonna Be Me,” “Stronger,” “Shape of My Heart,” and “Roar,” barely giving any of them room to breathe. The audience, to their credit, eats it up. The second those opening chords hit, people are practically out of their seat and chuckling to themselves because they know what’s coming. 

Even after two (!) confetti explosions and a finale set to “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” “& Juliet” sends you out on a high, but it’s a high that feels manufactured. The show is constantly chasing that next burst of recognition, instead of building anything with real weight underneath it. It’s undeniably fun in the moment, but once the music stops, there’s not much feeling in your body.

IF YOU GO:

“& Juliet” is now playing through April 12 at the Fisher Theatre. Tickets can be purchased here.