‘& Juliet’ An Incredible, Energetic Achievement

WARWICK, RI — An unlikely combination of a classic Shakespeare tragedy and Backstreet Boys songs, Providence Performing Arts Center’s production of  the musical “& Juliet” shouldn’t work as nearly as well as it does. 

The flashy production, which opened Tuesday at Providence Performing Arts Center, has terrific music, energetic choreography, and a lot of heart and soul.

In “Romeo and Juliet,” both of the star crossed lovers kill themselves after their warring families force them to be forever apart.

But what if Juliet (Rachel Simone Webb) decided to go on living?  Shakespeare’s headstrong wife, Anne Hathaway (not the actress from “Les Miserables”) persuades the playwright to go in a different creative direction.

A Reimagined Fate in “&  Juliet”

In the new story, Juliet doesn’t take the sleeping potion. Her beloved Romeo (Michael Canu) is revealed to have romanced other women. 

Webb is wonderfully appealing as Juliet, who flees Verona for the glittering lights of Paris after her overbearing parents threaten to send her to a nunnery. Composer Max Martin wrote a batch of hits for Britney Spears, Katy Perry, N’Sync, Kelly Clarkson, and even Bon Jovi. His lyrics aren’t particularly deep or profound, but they are used quite effectively in telling Juliet’s story.

Spears’ “Baby One More Time” is slowed down and turned into a haunting ballad for Juliet.

Perry’s “Roar” becomes a stirring anthem of self-empowerment, as Juliet proclaims to the world she is in charge of her own destiny. It’s a timely message considering the rollbacks in equality we are witnessing every day.

Corey Mach and Teal Wicks have a tangible chemistry as Shakespeare and Anne. The fate of their marriage is one of the main subplots in the show. The actors convey an appropriate amount of pathos in their scenes together. Wicks has a powerhouse vocal on “That’s The Way It Is.”

Other standouts in the cast included Nick Drake as good-natured May, Juliet’s friend who identifies as non-binary; Kathryn Allison as Angelique, Juliet’s nurse and confidante; Paul- Jordan Jansen as Angelique’s charismatic former flame Lance; and Mateus Leite Cardoso as the insecure Francois, Juliet’s prospective groom.

Drake was incredibly soulful on the Spears’ ballad “I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman.” 

David West Read’s script features plenty of twists and turns as Juliet searches for love. There’s also a sly critique of “Romeo and Juliet” and the way Juliet is portrayed as a helpless young woman. Was Shakespeare a misogynist? That is up for debate.

Anne argues passionately for Juliet’s emancipation. She wants a woman who can make her own decisions. 

When Shakespeare objects to Juliet having a non-binary friend, Anne mentions the fact that male actors dressed up as female characters in his plays all the time.

Read’s dialogue is often witty and incisive about human nature.

“Stop quoting yourself,” Anne tells her egotistical husband after he recites some famous phrases from his work. 

This is a fabulous looking production from beginning to end.

Soutra Gilmour’s spectacular set design and Paloma Young’s costumes are a feast for the eyes, along with Howard Hudson’s dazzling lighting.

“& Juliet” makes you think about Shakespeare and his writing in a different way while allowing you to laugh for two hours. That’s an incredible achievement.

“& Juliet” runs through March 2 at Providence Performing Arts Center. Running time is 2 hours, 30 minutes with intermission. Providence Performing Arts Center. 220 Weybosset St., Providence. For tickets, visit ppacri.org.