Review: & Juliet at ASU Gammage
The Tony-nominated musical & Juliet feels as if William Shakespeare had been handed a sparkly microphone and asked to reimagine Romeo and Juliet as a vibrant, fast-paced pop fantasy. The show delights with a stream of pop and rock hits that stay in your mind long after the curtain falls.
The production runs through November 9 at ASU Gammage in Tempe, Arizona. Guest critic David Appleford gives it high praise for its energy and clever reinvention of a timeless tragedy.
There’s a striking moment when Juliet performs a well-known Britney Spears anthem. The real surprise isn’t the song choice—it’s how naturally it meshes with the story’s mood. Like a catchy pop refrain that resists irritation and turns addictive, this jukebox musical transforms a somber tale of doomed love into a joyful challenge to convention and sorrow.
Story and Themes
The show’s core idea is a provocative twist on the familiar plot—a piece of feminist reinterpretation that asks:
- What if Juliet didn’t die next to Romeo?
- What if she woke up, saw her motionless lover, and chose to live her own life instead?
This retelling turns the original tragedy into a lively exploration of independence and reinvention.
Characters and Performances
The play unfolds as a story within a story. Shakespeare, played by CJ Eldred, proudly presents his tragic masterpiece to an eager audience—until his wife, Anne Hathaway, interrupts him. Crystal Kellog portrays Anne with a mix of humor and quiet frustration, challenging her husband’s conventional storytelling with refreshing wit.
“Guest contributor David Appleford gives a thumbs-up review of & Juliet, on stage at ASU Gammage in Tempe, AZ through November 9th.”
Author’s Summary: A sparkling reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s classic, & Juliet mixes humor, feminism, and pop exuberance into a delightfully modern celebration of self-discovery.
More News
- Roar return to winning ways as 17-year-old Aussie gun enjoys moment to remember
- Tap dancers collect medals at worlds | Benoni City Times
- 'Phone sex, drug raids and alfresco corpses. It’s all go in Shetland' — Alison Rowat
- Bank of New York Mellon Corp Has $76.82 Million Stake in Comerica Incorporated $CMA