& Juliet: Shakespeare Reimagined with a Pop Soundtrack Lands in Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa, CA – What if Juliet didn’t die at the end of Shakespeare’s tragic romance? That’s the captivating question at the heart of “& juliet,” the acclaimed jukebox musical currently playing at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts through September 21st. This isn’t a retelling of the classic; it’s a bold, energetic continuation, powered by the infectious hits of pop songwriter Max Martin.
Forget the somber finality of the original.”& Juliet” picks up promptly after the iconic final scene, imagining a world where Juliet wakes up and chooses a different path. Instead of succumbing to grief,she embarks on a journey of self-finding,fueled by the empowering lyrics of artists like Britney Spears,the Backstreet Boys,and Katy Perry.
Lois Ellise delivers a compelling performance as Juliet, using the opening chords of “…Baby One More Time” to express her shock and determination to rewrite her story.The musical cleverly weaves these chart-topping songs into the narrative, with each “needle drop” – as the moment a song begins is known – eliciting eager reactions from audiences.
But Juliet isn’t alone in her quest. She’s joined by May, a wonderfully realized non-binary character brought to life by Nick Drake. May challenges conventional notions of gender and provides a poignant counterpoint to Juliet’s journey, culminating in a moving rendition of Spears’ “I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman.”
With a book by Emmy Award-winner David West Read (“Schitt’s Creek”), direction by Luke Sheppard, and choreography by Jennifer Weber, ”& Juliet” is a vibrant and surprisingly moving production. It’s a testament to the enduring power of Shakespeare’s story,and a festivity of the music that has defined a generation.
“& Juliet” runs at the segerstrom Center for the Arts through September 21st.Tickets are available at [SegerstromCenterWebsiteLink-[SegerstromCenterWebsiteLink-[SegerstromCenterWebsiteLink-[SegerstromCenterWebsiteLink-insert link here].
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* Keywords: & Juliet, musical, Segerstrom Center, Costa Mesa, Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Max Martin, Britney Spears, theater, Orange County, live performance
* Meta Description: Discover how “& Juliet” reimagines Shakespeare’s classic tragedy with a pop soundtrack! Playing at the Segerstrom Center in Costa Mesa through Sept 21st.
* Image Alt Text: “Rachel Simone Webb and the company of the North American tour of & Juliet at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.”