& Juliet

[Jordan Catalano]

I caught this in London last night and will add this to the list of shows that just shocked the hell out of me in the best possible way. I walk into any jukebox musical with the same skepticism but this one did it right and they knocked it out of the park in basically every single way.

The songs fit so perfectly into the story they were telling that there was (at least in my memory right now) no instance where I felt a song didn’t fit and was being forced in there. It really was almost as if the music was written for this show. I think since they had such a broad catalog to work with of Martin’s music it was a real advantage instead of a set list of songs from a certain album that they had to make sure fit.

And yes, I knew that it was a show the tweens are loving and I was told it was a “woke” show but this one did it RIGHT. Even the bits that reminded me of “Head Over Heels” was done so much better and without having to hit you over the head while screaming “YOU MUST ACCEPT ALL OF THESE THINGS!!!” and in any other show, I would roll my eyes at a lot of it. But they actually seemed to take the time to craft truly well written characters and dialogue and, to the extent it can be said for a show like this, believable situations.

I also must say that the cast is uniformly perfect. From Miriam-Teak Lee’s powerhouse vocals and lovely turn as Juliet (I think she can absolutely be the next big thing) to Jordan Luke Gage’s hilariously douchy Romeo, Oliver Tompsett’s hilarious Shakespeare, Cassidy Janson as Anne (it takes a hell of a voice to kill a Celine song and she did just that) to honestly everyone else. I just can’t think of anything I didn’t like in this show.

And what a great and rare surprise that is.

[JBC3]

I have been on the fence about seeing this on an upcoming trip, but you may have just enticed me to buy a ticket.

[Mark_E]

Isn't it great!!

I remember when it was announced I was very sceptical, but when the word of mouth was so good from Manchester I started to really look forward to it, and was blown away when I saw it.

Miriam was the Angelica understudy in the OLC of Hamilton - she was amazing in that role and is even more amazing here. And of course, West End royalty Cassidy Janson smashes it. 

[songanddanceman2]

I watched this in Manchester during its out of town try out. I thought it was ok. Impressed with the cast, design and band and the songs fit in just about, but the book.....the book is not great. A fun night though.

[SouthernCakes]

Everyone always comes for the book...

[dramamama611]

Curious....were you familiar with Max Martin's music previous to this? (I admit, I dont think I know any of his work). I'm just sorting of thinking aloud, wondering if less/little familiarity makes for a better jukebox experience.

Interesting concept.

[BWAY Baby2]

Thank you Jordan for the great news- seeing it in March - third row center - just on a hunch because I loved Moulin Rouge so much- and was hoping that the story here- with a strongly feminist message- and raves for Miriam before the show opened in West End- just decided to try it- so glad you loved it- will write back after seeing it in March. Also seeing- Hamilton- again- but second row center- Leopoldstatz, Nora- at the Young Vic- Six and The Visit- Tony Kushner adapted it and it will be at the National Theater- so I am hoping it is really good- missed the Chita musical.- but it sounded interesting- and love Chita. I do not have the time to see City Of Angels- which would have been my next choice. 

Jordan- what else did you see?

[Jordan Catalano]

dramamama611 said: "Curious....were you familiar with Max Martin's music previous to this? (I admit, I dont think I know any of his work). I'm just sorting of thinking aloud, wondering if less/little familiarity makes for a better jukebox experience.

Interesting concept."

 

Yeah I knew basically all the music in this and unless you’ve been kidnapped and locked away for 20 years, I think you’ll know more than you think you do. :)

 

[dramamama611]

Lol ..maybe, but the name isnt familiar to me at all...will need to check it out.

[dramamama611]

Wow...just watched a video capturing his hits from the 90s to 2012....you weren't kidding! I had no idea!

Thanks for pushing me in the right direction.

[sorano916]

I saw this in London when I was there a few weeks and I really enjoyed it. All of the singers were powerhouses, and I loved the dancing and costumes. Everything fit well together, even if there were numerous plots, it still worked. The songs were put nicely together (bought the cast album and it's just great to listen to again). And overall, it was fun and didn't take itself too seriously.

[Clyde15]

Has anyone heard if this could make its way to New York in the next few years? I want to see it so bad but don’t have the funds to make it to London for a while

[Jordan Catalano]

Clyde15 said: "Has anyone heard if this could make its way to New York in the next few years? I want to see it so bad but don’t have the funds to make it to London for a while "


I can’t imagine any reality where this doesn’t transfer. 

[RW3]

Speaking of transferring, I think the Marquis might be the best place for it. The Marquis and Shaftesbury are around the same size.

Also, here is the link for the cast recording's Youtube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIZyaRkOSw8&list=PL9tfoyqTDYpvi0m-6MC6iH8CexvnDcH8z

[VernonGersch]

Jordan - just got a ticket thanks to you.  seeing it after Christmas 

[SouthernCakes]

Now you’ve got me looking at London tickets in March...

[GreasedLightning]

Jordan... sincerest “thank you” for mentioning this. It somehow slipped under my radar and I haven’t stopped listening to the recently released cast recording for days. Hoping you’re right about the transfer!

[ggersten]

June for me. City of Angels and &Juliet are on the list, although no tickets purchased as I don't know the dates I will be in the UK!  Yet.

Caveat: the &Juliet performance at West End Live last June was not encouraging and was so surprised to see all the good words about the Manchester run.

[orlikethecolorpurple]

That's so exciting to read. I'm going to London for my first time in April. Currently in queue for 4000 Miles tickets, but I probably only have room for one other show. Should I go with & Juliet or Everybody's Talking About Jamie? 

[VernonGersch]

I saw JAMIE and loved it when I caught it in London a few years ago right when it opened.  Happy to report in after I see & JULLIET at the end of the month if you don't mind waiting. 

[Jordan Catalano]

I enjoyed “Jamie” but wouldn’t say I loved it. I’m going back next week when Bianca Del Rio returns to it because I’m gay. Also going to “Juliet” again before I come back to the states late next week - I haffa see it again.

[Impossible2]

Jamie is a MUCH better show on every level and I didn't even love that.

This falls into the 'better than I thought it would be' category, but it's really not much better than that.

Yes is has spectacle and some great performances, but the show itself...yeeesh!

It starts well and at intermission I was onboard with reservations. But the second act falls apart and into typical jukebox musical hit cramming territory which throws the whole thing off completely. It feels like it should end 3 or 4 times before it actually does.

I'd give the first act 3.5/5 and the 2nd act 1/5.

They did use some of the songs very cleverly, much better than most JB musicals. But I think it'd work much better with less of them and trimmed down to a one act 90 minute show.

I'd give it a 3/5 all up.

 

[ajh]

Add me to the list of people who ADORE this show. Four times already and can't wait to go back...and I am normally far too busy to see anything more than once or twice - I see in the region of 150 productions a year between London and NYC. It's a lot cleverer than it initially appears on the surface (and it is a gaudily beautiful surface), it's very funny, surprisingly poignant and the cast are all sensational (Miriam-Teak Lee -Juliet- exudes star quality out of every pore).

It's an explosion of joy, excitement and exhilaration at a time when it's most needed. Should be at the top of the must-see list of every musical lover visiting London. I loved it as much as Moulin Rouge.

 

[76trombones2]

I'm so glad others have seen and liked this. I saw it a couple weeks ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a better *production* than Jamie (which I also enjoyed but found weirdly amateurish in parts), and didn't distract me with all the switching-among-songs-every-30-seconds like Moulin Rouge did. Loved the cast and found the whole thing to be lots of fun.

I do think familiarity with at least some of the music helps. I'd never heard of Max Martin as an individual but recognized 1/3 of the songs by title and another 1/3 upon hearing them. This may strike you as either a feature or a bug depending on your inclination, but it had that Mamma Mia vibe where the audience chuckled appreciatively upon hearing how a particular song was being used.

Anyway: total fluffy fun.

[BWAY Baby2]

I thought Jamie was excellent- you cannot go wrong if you love this type of music and subject matter- similar, I assume to Juliet- which I am seeing in March. I would say that since Juliet is new- that might be more fun to see.