& Juliet: Getting Rid of Romeo Can’t Fix This Tragedy by Makenzie Bounds

-
& Juliet, one of the newest jukebox musicals to hit the Orpheum stage, represents unoriginality at its finest. Packed full of boring pop music and cringey dialogue, I couldn’t conclude if my initial distaste was due to my crippling bias against jukebox musicals. While Act 2 somewhat shifted my mindset, it took me too much effort to even attempt to enjoy the show. It’s a pity that such an amazingly talented cast is confined to something I can only equate to what it would feel like watching a Millennial English teacher’s PowerPoint presentation.

& Juliet follows William Shakespeare (Corey Mach) and his wife, Anne (Teal Wicks) as they set out to reinvent the tragedy Shakespeare envisioned. We meet a still-alive Juliet (Rachel Simone Webb) reeling from the death of her short-term lover, Romeo (Daniel J. Maldonado). Once she discovers he may not be all she thought he was- and is in fact, a pompous asshole- she ventures to Paris with her best friends. Along the way, she learns she has the power to control her destiny and become the strong, fierce woman she was created to be. I love David West Read’s creative concept- regardless of how it follows through- and how a beautifully diverse cast brings a fresh take on an old tale.


For the show’s duration, I couldn’t help but wonder about the experience I would’ve had if there had been an original score. Despite each performer’s wonderful vocalisms, no amount of riffs could detract from the actuality that jukebox musicals remind me of glorified high school show choirs. While there were a few funny segues into songs like “I Want it That Way” and “Teenage Dream/Break Free”, I couldn’t find a single reason to warrant the unoriginal music choices. Original pop music would have succeeded in not only creating a clear foundation for the plot, but would prevent the show from sounding like a 2000s party playlist. I find it unfortunate how jukebox musicals like & Juliet continue to suck the originality and true craft that was once present in the industry. 


Additionally, while the story is intriguing in theory, it falls flat in many places. Juliet lacks the depth desired from a main heroine. The story is supposed to be about her fate, yet every other character is more developed than she is. Act 1 drags, but conflict in Act 2  fortunately brings the show back to life. However, I wish I could’ve seen the authenticity that arises in the ending throughout instead of hearing “Yass queen” every other sentence.


While & Juliet’s book is weak, there is no denying the fun, energetic charisma cast members bring to the stage. Each number is dance-heavy and filled with impressive choreography by Jennifer Weber. Webb dances flawlessly along with the ensemble in songs like “Problem”, simultaneously belting beautifully. Stamina never appears to be an issue for the cast and they consistently give it their all.


& Juliet will be running at the Orpheum through May 18. Don’t walk in expecting to have your life changed; just expect to hear some stellar covers and hopefully have a few laughs.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Some Like It Hot: A True Tip-Tap Treasure - by Sarah Zyskowski

-
One of the better screen-to-stage adaptations of its time, Some Like It Hot is a must-see performance that recently danced its way to the Orpheum Theatre. Sending the audience back in time to the infamous Prohibition, Some Like It Hot follows two musicians on the lam who disguise themselves as ladies and join an all-female band. Based on the classic 1959 film, this show brings its audience on a chaotic musical odyssey across the country filled with dazzling choreography, sharp humor, expressive costumes, and a deeper dive into gender identity. What stood out to me right away was the sheer talent these actors expressed through the power of dance. The “Tip-Tap Twins” Joe and Jerry swept the audience off their feet almost immediately with the intricate tap number “You Can’t Have Me (If You Don’t Have Him)” bursting with energy and excitement. Perfectly in unison, the satisfyingly crisp sounds of Matt Loehr and Tavis Kordell’s outstanding tapping talent set the stage for this dance-heavy ...
Read more

Les Misérables Is a Classic For a Reason by Katelyn Keyes

-
If I had to pick one word to encapsulate the current National Tour  of Les Misérables , it would be “art”. The lighting, designed by Paule Constable, transformed every scene into a painting, I could almost feel the sunlight on my face. The darkness was also used to the show’s advantage, leading to a shadowed opening; Prologue , where the low, rhythmic chorus deeply communicates the tragic circumstances the main character finds himself under. Imprisoned for simply stealing a loaf of bread to feed his family, Jean Valjean (Nick Cartell) breaks his parole and flees, leaving him to be chased by a relentless Inspector Javert (Nick Rehberger). Along the way, we meet Fantine (Lindsay Heather Pierce), her daughter Cosette (Emerson Mae Chen, Greta Scheafer, and Delaney Guyer in various ages), and others fighting for France in the Paris Uprising of 1832.  The story is told mainly through song, which, while it does demand more of the audience’s attention to follow the story, really h...
Read more

Les Misérables: The Story We’ll Always Need - Peyton Webb

-
Image
“Prologue” - Nick Cartell as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables . Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmeran While wandering through the Orpheum crowd on the opening night of Les Misérables , I stood for a moment and listened. Friends reminisced about the first time they saw the show. Parents told their children how it made them fall in love with theater decades ago. I couldn’t help but smile at how generations connected over this timeless story of resilience. One of the most acclaimed musicals in the world, Les Miz needs no introduction. Directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, the North American Broadway tour is in Minneapolis for a two-week run. Whether you’ve seen it a dozen times or never before, it’s more than worth a few hours of your time. Les Miz effortlessly transports its audience to 19th century Paris, catapulting them into the most exhilarating moments of the characters’ lives. While all technical aspects were phenomenal, the light and sound design completed this tra...
Read more