Everyone can use an editor, and Shakespeare is no exception. Fortunately, he married one.
Tired of being cooped up with the kids in Stratford-upon-Avon, Anne (Teal wicks), wife of the grate playwright, pops down to London to see the first performance of “romeo and Juliet.” The new tragic ending that Shakespeare (Corey Mach) proudly previews to the company strikes her as completely wrongheaded.
“What if … Juliet doesn’t kill herself?” she proposes. As strong-willed as her husband, she doesn’t wish to argue the point. She merely wants to put her idea to the test.
Behold the premise of “& Juliet,” the euphoric dance party of a musical that updates shakespeare with a dose of 21st century female empowerment.The production, which opened Friday at the Ahmanson Theater under the fizzy direction of Luke Sheppard, reimagines a new post-Romeo life for Juliet while riding a magic carpet of chart-toppers from juggernaut Swedish producer Max Martin who has spun gold with Katy Perry, Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys, among other pop titans.
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By Jessica gelt
July 15, 2024, 6:00 AM PDT
Costa Mesa – Forget everything you thought you knew about Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” The jukebox musical “& Juliet,” currently playing at Segerstrom Center for the Arts,isn’t interested in tragic romance. It’s interested in what happens after the “happily ever after.”
What if Juliet didn’t die? That’s the premise of this effervescent, high-energy show, which reimagines the classic tale with a pop soundtrack featuring the hits of Max Martin, the Swedish songwriter behind some of the biggest pop songs of the last three decades (think Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry).
The musical opens with Shakespeare himself (played with delightful self-awareness by jeff McCarthy) agonizing over the ending of his play.juliet (Rachel Webb, radiant and powerful) is resurrected by her nurse and decides she’s not interested in dying for love. Instead, she wants to find out what else life has to offer.
What follows is a journey of self-finding, set to a string of infectious pop anthems. songs like “…Baby One More Time,” “I Want It That Way,” and “Roar” are woven seamlessly into the narrative,adding layers of meaning to Juliet’s quest for independence and fulfillment.
the supporting characters, including Romeo (Brandon Wardell, charmingly conflicted), Anne (Elizabeth Teeter, hilariously cynical), and May (Melina Kalomidi, a standout with a soaring voice), are all given their own moments to shine. The show smartly expands on their stories, giving them agency and depth beyond their roles in the original play.
director Luke Sheppard’s staging is dynamic and inventive, utilizing a rotating stage and energetic choreography by Jennifer Weber to create a visually stunning spectacle. The costumes are vibrant and modern, reflecting the show’s contemporary sensibility.
“& Juliet” isn’t trying to be a profound meditation on love and loss. It’s a festivity of life, resilience, and the power of pop music. It’s a feel-good show that will leave you humming the tunes long after the curtain falls.
Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
When: Through July 21. Check the Segerstrom center website for showtimes.
Tickets: Start at $49.
Info: https://www.scfta.org/
& Juliet isn’t Afraid to Rewrite the Rules
“& Juliet,” the jukebox musical that asks the question “What if Juliet didn’t die at the end of ‘Romeo and Juliet’?” is currently dazzling audiences at the Pantages theatre.And the answer, it turns out, is a whole lot of pop anthems and a surprisingly poignant exploration of second chances.
The show, penned by David west Read and featuring the music of Max Martin, the mastermind behind countless Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, and Taylor Swift hits, isn’t just a frivolous romp. It’s a clever deconstruction of the source material, and a celebration of female agency. Juliet, played with fiery determination by Teal Wicks, decides she’s had enough of tragic love and sets out to forge her own path, much to the chagrin of Shakespeare himself.
Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway, are central characters, constantly battling to control the narrative. They’re not portrayed as literary giants, but as flawed, bickering writers struggling with writer’s block and the demands of their audience. It’s a meta-theatrical delight to watch them grapple with the fact that their story is being hijacked.
The energy of the ensemble is infectious,and the choreography is dynamic and modern. the songs, seamlessly woven into the plot, feel both familiar and fresh in this new context. While the first act is a whirlwind of establishing the premise and characters,a happy ending is no longer off-limits. Shakespeare and Anne wrestle to get the upper hand of a plot that seems to have a mind of its own. Shakespeare pulls a coup at the end of the first act that I won’t spoil except to say that what’s good for the goose proves dramaturgically viable for the gander.
“Moulin Rouge! The Musical” Comes to Segerstrom Center
“Moulin Rouge! The Musical” is dazzling audiences at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa from September 9-21, 2024. This spectacular stage adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s iconic film promises a night of breathtaking choreography, stunning costumes, and a vibrant soundtrack featuring beloved pop songs.https://scfta.org/
Performance Details
The musical will be performed at Segerstrom Hall, located at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Showtimes are as follows:
Tuesdays-Fridays: 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays: 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sundays: 1:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Ticket Facts
Tickets start at $44 and can be purchased through the Segerstrom center for the Arts website or by calling their box office. https://scfta.org/
About the Musical
“Moulin rouge! The Musical” tells the timeless story of Christian, a young composer, and Satine, a captivating star at the Moulin Rouge nightclub in Paris. Their passionate love affair unfolds amidst the glamour and decadence of the Belle Époque, facing challenges from a powerful Duke and the club’s owner. The musical is known for its innovative use of modern music, seamlessly blending contemporary pop hits with the show’s original score.
Contact Information
For inquiries or to purchase tickets, you can reach the Segerstrom Center for the Arts at (714) 556-2787 or visit their website: https://scfta.org/
Key takeaways:
What: “Moulin Rouge! The Musical”
Where: Segerstrom Hall,Segerstrom Center for the Arts,costa mesa
When: September 9-21,2024
Tickets: Starting at $44
Contact: (714) 556-2787 or https://scfta.org/
This production promises a visually stunning and emotionally resonant experience for theatergoers. Don’t miss the possibility to witness this acclaimed musical at the Segerstrom Center!