In Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, two young lovers are torn apart by death. But what would have happened if Juliet hadn’t died? & Juliet takes this burning question onto the stage in New York City. The story is based on the “what if” scenario, where Juliet does not die at the end.
Before the play even begins, the cast begins sitting on the stage while some of them are talking to the audience in the first couple of rows, warming up, talking to each other, fixing props and costumes, and dancing to the music that is already playing. The musical is entertaining for everyone, with bright colors, modern pop songs and costumes and more. While capturing the “what if” question of Romeo and Juliet, this musical brings light to the story, with hilarious jokes, rewriting of songs, stage props, costumes, makeup and script.
Romeo and Juliet is the ultimate tragedy story. The writer of & Juliet, David West Read, creates an energetic rewriting of the tragedy story and attracts thousands of audience members in New York City. It begins with the introduction of William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne. William tells Anne about his new idea for a play that he calls Romeo and Juliet. Once he has told her the whole story, Anne suggests that Juliet does not die. What would happen if this tragic tale did not end the way it did? William is dissatisfied with this idea, but decides to let Anne explain her idea for his new play, and he decides to listen and continue writing the story after Romeo’s death.
Juliet and many others attend Romeo’s funeral, and Juliet finds out that Romeo had other lovers, men and women, and it was not just Juliet. Juliet’s parents decide they will send her to a convent, while her non-binary friend, May and her nurse, Angelique, come to the rescue. Anne writes herself into the play as one of Juliet’s new friends, April. The scene switches to Paris, with May, Angelique, April and Juliet. There, they attend a party thrown by a new character named Francois. The plot continues to follow Shakespeare’s classic stories of reunited lovers, people coming back from the dead (you can guess who), and common miscommunication.
& Juliet is an outstanding continuation of the story Romeo and Juliet. Following all of Shakespeare’s plots while adding details that will interest all ages. The audience gets a laugh often, and the songs have everyone dancing from their seats. Two confetti explosions in the beginning and end of the musical draw the audience in, and add an exciting part for everyone, including the cast, to take a moment and enjoy the moment, while even breaking character at times to laugh, smile, or even cry.
