Review: & JULIET at Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville

I have spoken to many who have openly said that they do not like Shakespeare. *dramatic gasp with hand up to heart* What? Well, for those that deny the Bard, this musical filled with pop anthems, glittering costumes, powerhouse vocals, and a heroine rewriting her own destiny will surely win you over. The national tour of & Juliet at Walton Arts Center is an absolute blast of confetti-covered joy, and Fayetteville audiences are eating up every second of it. Playing through Sunday, May 31, this Arkansas premiere takes Shakespeare’s tragic heroine and asks, “What if Juliet chose herself instead?” Directed by Luke Sheppard, the result is a hilarious, empowering, wildly entertaining musical packed with the chart-topping songs of Max Martin and friends that had the audience singing along and shouting 'you go girl!'

Written by Emmy-winning Schitt’s Creek writer David West Read, the musical flips the script on Romeo and Juliet by allowing Juliet to continue her story after Romeo’s death. Joined by her nurse Angelique and her friends, Juliet heads to Paris in search of freedom, adventure, and a life that belongs to her. Meanwhile, Shakespeare himself and his wife Anne Hathaway battle over how the story should unfold, creating a delightfully chaotic tug-of-war between old-school tragedy and modern-day empowerment. It's funny, endearing, and I loved every minute of it!

Fabiola Caraballo Quijada absolutely dazzles as Juliet, and it is easy to see why she earned last year’s prestigious Jimmy Award. She commands the stage with effortless confidence, radiant charm, and vocals that absolutely soar through the Walton Arts Center. Quijada beautifully captures Juliet’s emotional evolution from heartbroken teenager to empowered young woman discovering her own voice and independence. Her performance during “Roar” brought the audience to thunderous applause, and she has that rare star quality where your eyes naturally follow her every movement onstage. 

Crystal Kellogg is sensational as Anne Hathaway, delivering a performance that has a grounded strength to the role while also leaning fully into the show’s playful comedy. Her chemistry with CJ Eldred’s Shakespeare is one of the production’s biggest highlights. Eldred is absolutely hysterical, embracing Shakespeare’s oversized ego with theatrical flair and razor-sharp comedic timing. Honestly, Shakespeare and Romeo together gave me major Cinderella’s Prince vibes from Into the Woods with all their dramatic swagger, overconfidence, and delightfully ridiculous charm. Eldred and Joseph Torres fully commit to that chaotic princely energy, and it makes their scenes incredibly funny. 

Nico Ochoa gives May a beautiful blend of vulnerability and humor, and my starry-heart eyes go to the beautiful scene where May and François finally share their sweet center stage kiss, a pivotal “embrace your truth” moment that absolutely makes you swoon. The tenderness between Ochoa and Noah Marlowe is so genuine that the audience collectively melted watching their relationship bloom. Marlowe brings lovable awkwardness to François, making him impossible not to root for.

Nicholas Edwards is an absolute standout as Lance, bringing the perfect amount of swagger and rockstar energy to the role. As an original cast member on Broadway, Edwards clearly knows how to work every moment for maximum impact, and the audience adored him from the second he stepped onstage. His vocals are phenomenal, his comedic timing is razor sharp, and his chemistry with Kathryn Allison’s Angelique is hilarious and surprisingly sweet. Allison also deserves major applause as Angelique, whose commanding vocals and expressive reactions make her an unforgettable scene-stealer throughout the evening.

The ensemble deserves endless praise because this cast works HARD. The dancing (Choreographer Jennifer Weber/Dance Captain Kyra Smith) is relentless, the costume  changes happen at lightning speed, and every performer commits fully to the joyful absurdity of the material. The costumes (Paloma Young) alone deserve their own standing ovation. They shimmer, sparkle, glow, and transform constantly, helping create a visual feast that feels modern while still giving cheeky nods to Shakespearean fashion. And, I can't go without saying how cool the aereal moments were. They were true rockstars!

The score is pure millennial pop perfection. Songs made famous by artists like Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Backstreet Boys, Kelly Clarkson, and *NSYNC are cleverly woven into the storytelling in ways that feel surprisingly natural. Hearing numbers like “Roar,” “Since U Been Gone,” and “…Baby One More Time” used to advance the plot instead of simply serving as jukebox nostalgia is part of the show’s genius. The arrangements (Bill Sherman) are huge, making this show more like a concert with theatrical flair.

MUSICIANS: Conductor/Keyboard -- Mark Binns, Associate Conductor/Keyboard -- Kelsi Fulton, Guitar -- Clay Nordhill, Bass -- Tabari Lake, Drums -- Zack Albetta; LOCAL MUSICIANS: Violin/Viola -- Ronnamarie Jensen, Cello -- Michael Puryear, Contractor (non-playing) -- Bem Harris.

Walton Arts Center continues bringing phenomenal Broadway tours to Northwest Arkansas, and & Juliet is another huge win for their season lineup. This production is flashy, hilarious, sweet, and ridiculously entertaining from start to finish. Whether you are a diehard musical theatre fan, a lover of early 2000s pop music, or simply someone who wants a joyful night out, this show delivers pure serotonin straight to the audience.

Grab your friends, warm up your vocal cords, and prepare to dance in your seat because this is one party of a musical you do not want to miss. & Juliet runs at Walton Arts Center through Sunday, May 31. For tickets, visit their website at waltonartscenter.com.

More on Walton Arts Center

Recent Articles

Participating Schools Revealed for Second Annual Diamond Awards

4/21/2026

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best Off-Broadway Play - Top 3

1. A Christmas Carol (Thorne Adaptation) - PAC NYC

7.8% of votes

2. Prince F****t - Playwrights Horizons

5.9% of votes

3. Andre De Shields is Tartuffe - House of the Redeemer

4.6% of votes

Vote Now! View Live Stats