Whether you like Shakespeare or not, “& Juliet” is an upbeat celebration of empowerment we all can learn from.

Weaving chart-topping pop music from the ‘90s and 2000s, “& Juliet” is a jukebox musical that asks the audience to lean in to see what might’ve happened if Juliet — of the famed “Romeo & Juliet” — chose not to kill herself. Whether you read the original play in high school or not, this show is a vibrant tapestry of nostalgia, love, acceptance and the power of choosing your own destiny.

Written by David West, read with music and lyrics by Max Martin and Friends, “& Juliet” premiered on Broadway at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in November 2022, where it’s still running to this day. The National Tour kicked off in September 2024. Directed by Luke Sheppard and choreographed by Jennifer Weber, “& Juliet” is onstage at Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University June 16-21.

The show opens on the opening night of “Romeo & Juliet,” when William Shakespeare (CJ Eldred) finally presents the ending to his players. However, his wife, Anne Hathaway (Crystal Kellogg) barges in, set to enjoy the production on her “night off from the kids” and is disappointed with the ending, challenging her husband to write a better one. 

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As a historical figure, not much is known about Anne Hathaway or her marriage with Shakespeare after he joined the Queen’s Players in London, leaving her to care for their children in Stratford. The Indiana Repertory Theatre explored this in their 2023 production of “Shakespeare’s Will.”

“& Juliet” incorporates integral aspects of this “unknown,” presenting Anne as the dutiful but whimsical wife who feels largely unseen in her marriage — much like the young Juliet who, instead of choosing her own path, decided to take her own life because the young boy she married in secret did it first.

William and Anne do more than just haunt the narrative; they rewrite it together in a romantic comedy, soap-opera-style odyssey. They even go so far as to insert themselves into it as characters in Juliet’s (Fabiola Caraballo Quijada) new journey.

Guided by Anne and Will’s quill, the new play sees Juliet leave fair Verona following Romeo’s (Joseph Torres) funeral, having learned some unsavory details about her late husband. In search of a new beginning, fun and freedom, Juliet is accompanied by her gender diverse best friend May (Nico Ochoa), childhood nurse Angelique (Kathryn Allison) and April (who is just Anne in a disguise).

First things first, they age up all the characters to their 20s, so no need to worry about teenagers running around, drinking, clubbing, falling in love, etc. This is age-appropriate glitter-filled chaos, with whimsical, moving set pieces, digital backdrops, pyrotechnics and confetti canons.

This show is more than just drama and comedy, though. It’s fun and daring. It takes risks and liberties with Shakespeare’s repertoire, but everything works out okay. After all, the Bard was known for his insane plot twists.

The soundtrack alone is reason to see it. I won’t give too much away, but the show opens with the Backstreet Boys’ “Larger than Life” before following it up with “I Want It That Way,” and Brittany Spears’ “Baby One More Time.” I mean, talk about nostalgia, and there’s never a dull moment. Other big hitters throughout the story include May’s beautiful rendition of “Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman,” and the absolute plot bomb drop that is “It’s My Life.” Act II comes back full force with “That’s the Way It Is,” “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” “It’s Gonna Be Me” and “Roar.”

In terms of costumes, it’s colorful, flashy and bold, with romantic Shakespearean silhouettes and iconic pop-star flair. Costume designer Paloma Young designed each character’s wardrobe as modern renaissance meets haute couture thrifted street glam.

As fate would have it, Juliet and May both run into the cute, young and single François du Bois, — or “Frankie da boi” (Noah Marlowe) — who is under just as much pressure from his father, Lance (Paul-Jordan Jansen) to get married as Juliet is.

There is more than one love story at play here, in fact, I kind of lost count, but there are at least four, including the unexpected dalliance between Lance and Angelique.

If you got a chance to see Lavina Jadhwani’s “ADO” when it was onstage at the Phoenix Theatre earlier this spring, then you’re already familiar with Shakespeare-fanfiction-esque stories that twist the narrative in favor of giving his female characters a voice and a choice.

Juliet’s autonomy is front of mind in this version. It’s messy and dramatic and doesn’t always make sense, as William and Anne bicker about the plot of the story when what they are really arguing about is their marriage. More than that, it reimagines Shakespeare’s most popular tragedy, championing brave and powerful women, celebrating queer joy, and highlighting second chances by giving each character a happy ending. 

While “& Juliet” is fun and fast-paced and generally family-friendly, many of the jokes, puns and references are Shakespearean in origin — and the cast makes sure we as the audience know this. However, if you’re not familiar with some of Shakespeare’s work or his personal life, you might be a little lost.

“& Juliet” is two hours and 40 minutes with one intermission. It features adult language, flashing and strobe lighting, confetti cannons and pyrotechnics, and is recommended for audiences age 12 and up. 

“& Juliet” is onstage at Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University, 4602 Sunset Ave., June 16-21. For more information, showtimes or tickets, visit indianapolis.broadway.com/shows/juliet/

Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.

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