Review: & Juliet, Ahmanson Theatre

Opening night is always a blast at the Ahmanson Theatre. With the red carpet arrivals and various stars spotted, anticipation fills the air. These evenings always have a celebratory vibe. The reputation of a well-known show like & Juliet precedes itself. This night, most of us knew we were in for a light hearted musical. As I headed in to experience & Juliet at the Ahmanson Theatre, I had no idea the feel good musical would be bursting with soooo much electric pizzaz and endless humor. The darkness of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is nowhere to be found in this production.

& Juliet at the Ahmanson Theatre

The well-known music of hitmaker Max Martin, that so many of us grew up with, was like a character unto itself. Songs such as “I Want It That Way” (Backstreet Boys), “Confident” (Demi Lavato), “I Kissed a Girl” (Katy Perry), “Baby One More Time” (Britney Spears), and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” (Justin Timberlake) not only brought us the comfort of familiarity but also made an impact on the storyline. The show utilized the songs in ironic ways, placing them in unexpected places. Some at first seemed like too much of a stretch, but more often than not, it all came together. 

Due to the buzz and publicity surrounding & Juliet, most people know the story begins where the original tragic legend ends. What would Juliet do, if she didn’t kill herself? The musical is a show within a show.
Throughout the show, William Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway actively rewrite the story as they battle for creative control. Corey Mach and Teal Wicks are both fantastic and well-suited to each other. They have excellent voices and wonderful chemistry. The roles of these two characters very much align with Shakespeare’s Greek chorus, as they weave in and out of the show. Of course, the one difference here was that they could and did adjust the outcome. 

Dueling Authors

Anne attempts to add her own spin on the story allowing her female heroine to flourish without a man. She creates two new best friends, one of whom she decides to portray (April). Another character, May who just happens to be nonbinary, is vulnerably played by Nick Drake, an exceptional talent with a powerhouse voice. In the midst of a chaotic mix of boisterous best friends, secret loves, and unexpected reunions, hilarity ensues. A love triangle arises between Juliet, May and Francois. Actor Mateus Leite Cardoso (Francois) delivers a touching and diverse character arc. This storyline brings a modern day LGBTQ+ twist to the show which also mirrors the pop song score.

As the two writers struggle to control the storyline, sneaky business develops, prompting more entertaining scenarios. Shakespeare keeps inserting his male centered scenes, attempting to steer the story in a different darker direction. Anne responds with another variation for Juliet’s journey of discovery. Ultimately, the character of Juliet decides her own fate, shocking both of the dueling authors.

Juliet

Rachel Simone Webb was mesmerizing as Juliet. She brought a warmth and hometown charm to the character. Plus her commanding vocals were phenomenal. As she belted each final note with ease, it made every one of her songs a show stopper. 

There are some surprises which I am not going to reveal. I was quite impressed with all of the lead characters as well as some that are not mentioned here (hint, hint). Juliet’s nurse (Angelique) played by Kathryn Allison had a gorgeous voice and a joyful spirit. She and Lance (Paul Jordan Jansen) created constant comic relief. 

The Team Behind & Juliet

The book is wonderfully written by David West Read of Schitt’s Creek. He doesn’t miss a joke, keeping a fluid tempo throughout the show. Director Luke Sheppard successfully captures the comedic whimsical vision of the script. The sets, by Sutra Gilmour, along with video projections by Andrzej Goulding are impactful yet understated. Paloma Young created some gorgeous up-to-date pop Elizabethan era inspired costumes. Additional exemplary collaborators include: Jennifer Weber (Choreographer), Bill Sherman (Music Supervisor/Arranger), Howard Hudson (Lighting), and Gareth Owen (Sound). 

More Pop Magic by Max Martin

I cannot stress how much the score plays a constant palpable part of the show. Another famed Britney Spears song “Oops I did it Again” surprised us all at a bewildering moment in the show. It was hysterical. Other tongue in cheek tunes included the popular “That’s the Way it is” and “Since U Been Gone” made famous by singers Celine Dion and Kelly Clarkson. Of course, the signature anthem utilized to end the show in victory, was “Roar” (Katy Perry).

I’ve noticed that when a show’s score isn’t written specifically for its book, it often misses the mark. But & Juliet not only hits the mark—it soars past it. In my experience, a score not written specifically for a show’s book often misses the mark. But & Juliet not only hits the mark it soars past it. If you love the songwriting of Max Martin, this is the show for you. 

The evening was electric, and the uproariously bawdy production left us all wanting more. As we headed out the door, more than a few were humming those Max Martin infamous songs. Head to the Ahmanson now. The show runs through September 7, 2025. The Ahmanson Theatre is located at 135 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012; Visit Center Theatre Group website at https://www.centertheatregroup.org/

You have one more chance to catch this production at Segerstrom Hall 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 from September 9-21, 2025; https://www.scfta.org; Find out if & Juliet is coming to a city near you. Read more about the North American Tour on the & Juliet website – https://andjulietbroadway.com/