& Juliet • June 17, 2025 • Eccles Theater
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy courtesy of Broadway at the Eccles
Jukebox musicals can be a polarizing topic in the musical theater world. Some people love them. Others dismiss them due to the fact that the shows are created with songs that have already been written. I enjoy them. If they’re done right. Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia, Rock of Ages, Crazy For You, andMoulin Rouge, to name a few, have been well done and are some of my favorite musicals to see whenever I get the chance. I won’t name the jukebox musicals that are not well done, but let’s just say when they’re bad, they’re really bad. The music and story feels forced. The musical & Juliet is one of the most recent jukebox musicals to hit Broadway.
“&Juliet flips the script on the greatest love story ever told and asks: what would happen if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love, her way.”
& Juliet Press Release.
& Juliet features the music of Swedish pop songwriter Max Martin. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, his songs will. He has written so many hit songs, it’s ridiculous. We’re talking, Brittany Spears’ mega hit songs, “Oops, I Did It Again” and “Hit Me Baby One More Time.” Or the Backstreet Boys’ “Larger Than Life” and “I Want It That Way”. Those four hits would be enough. But he’s written hits for Bon Jovi, Katy Perry, Celine Dione, Kelly Clarkson, Demi Lovato, and so many more. Look up his songwriting history and be amazed at how many huge hits the guy has written. Many of those songs are in this musical.
The book of & Juliet was written by David West Read. If his name doesn’t sound familiar, don’t worry. He’s just an Emmy Award-winning writer for the beloved television series Schitt’s Creek. So the music and book are in good hands. The show is hilarious, and the songs kept the audience fighting the entire show, from singing along. Or in the lady next to me’s case, singing along the whole show. She could not have loved this show more. She could not contain herself. And I can’t say I blame her. & Juliet is a lot of fun.
A few hours before curtain, I received an email notifying me of some cast updates for the opening night performance. I think the only time I’m ever concerned about a casting change is if I went to the show to see a particular actor. I have faith in the cast and figure that the understudies will be great.
To be honest, I had forgotten who was an understudy and who was in the main cast. So it surprised me when I looked over that list again and saw that Shelby Griswold was the understudy to Anne. I never once considered that she might be one of the understudies. Griswold was not only a crowd favorite, but she also left a lasting memory with her performance. She commanded the stage and played Anne fiercely and dynamically. I noticed subtle facial expressions or movements that ever so slightly, yet brilliantly enhanced a scene. Shelby is making her national tour debut with & Juliet. If this is just the start, then I have a feeling we’re going to see great things from her in the future.
This production was so much fun. The story was clever and brought a lot of laughs to the crowd. Especially when a song would start. Within the first few lines, it would become recognizable. There would be an audible chuckle from the crowd, both in the recognition of the song and in its placement within the show. Most of these songs worked so well within the story.
I’m always impressed when a jukebox musical can fit these songs that weren’t written together to tell a particular story, somehow fit and work within the constructs of a newly developed storyline. That happened so often with & Juliet. A song would start, and I’d think, “This is perfect.” There were a few times that I couldn’t get past the song. Meaning, a well-known song would be used in a dramatic way, and I just couldn’t get to a place where I could separate the song from the original artist. I’m sure that’s on me and not the musical.
& Juliet belongs among the list of the most entertaining jukebox musicals. The story is entertaining. It’s a fun way to look at a classic story in a different and modern way. This cast was excellent from top to bottom. This diverse, talented cast was some of the best I’ve seen. They were a pleasure to watch. I recommend anyone who loves Shakespeare and Pop music, or simply just entertaining musical theater, to check this out.
& Juliet will be at Eccles Theater until June 22. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here!