Review: & JULIET at Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

Broadway Across Canada delivers another knockout hit with ‘& Juliet’, a new musical that brings all the popular hits of the ‘90s /’00s into the world of Romeo and Juliet. From the moment the audience enters the theatre the spectacle begins, with a larger than life show title front and centre stage and a smattering of theatre paraphernalia and even street art adorning the surrounding walls. 

The show begins with an upbeat introduction of William Shakespeare himself, a central player in this story. Not long after we meet his lovely (if not slightly jaded) wife Anne Hathaway - yes they do milk this detail, as they should - who is attending the opening of her husband’s newest play ‘Romeo and Juliet’. It soon becomes clear that she is not a fan of the tragic twist he has concocted so she strikes a bargain for the two of them to rewrite the story together. The story unfolds at the end of the original work, as Juliet decides to move on from the great loss she suffered in Romeo’s poisoning.

Not only is the show full of humorous representations of youthful trials and tribulations, it also highlights the heartwrenching struggles that married couples endure in the face of love, loss, and long distance contentions. Anne voices her growing unhappiness at being left home with the children, eventually using Juliet’s storyline as a proxy, urging her to pursue her own need for independence and seeking acknowledgement for the strength and resilience she displays in the face of challenges.

The script was incredibly witty and the performances so delightfully comical in their individual portrayals that you couldn’t help but become emotionally invested in the outcome of each. The cast’s ability to balance both deeply emotional, yet wildly funny personas, was matched only by their jaw-dropping musical and physical talents. I was blown away when I found out that Fabiola Caraballo Quijada who portrays Juliet had just graduated high school prior to starting this North American tour! Her youthful energy is undeniable but it was her vocal range and powerful stage presence that really brought Juliet to life on stage.

Each major pop number was also accompanied by a dazzling light show worthy of the Las Vegas Sphere and a troupe of players in a delightfully trashy mix of 90s street fashion and renaissance garb. It all culminates in that oh so magical moment when Juliet belts out ‘Roar’ with a steady stream of confetti raining down on the crowd -  a view I will not be forgetting any time soon.

Overall the vibe was still very much on brand for a quintessential Shakespearean comedy and the puns and references to his vast body of work were a clever addition. The dance numbers were reminiscent of classic ‘90s/’00s pop music concerts and each and every one of the cast had powerhouse vocals to match. Interspersed throughout was a healthy dose of audience participation, pulling the crowd into the story as very willing participants, singing along, clapping to the beat, and eventually getting out of the seats and dancing along to the final number. The showmanship, the spectacle, and the heady nostalgia made the entire production one of my favourite theatre experiences of all time. This is a show you won’t want to miss.

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