Led by a stunning performance by Rachel Simone Webb as Juliet, the travelling production is nothing less than a celebration of autonomy and freedom.
By John Lavitt
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 08-19-2025
Los Angeles audiences love a summer musical, and & Juliet delivers one with both sparkle and substance at the Ahmanson Theatre. The concept is simple: What if Juliet didn’t die at the end of Romeo & Juliet, Shakespeare’s famous drama? That single twist transforms a tragedy into a lively story that proves to be a roller-coaster of fun. Beyond reimagining Shakespeare’s famous tale, such a question opens doors to what comes next, and what would a young girl do?
While raising tough questions for the lead character, & Juliet also prompts the audience to consider issues of personal voice, agency, and the significance of choosing one’s path. From the first note to the last, viewers enjoy the energy of the songs and humor, while quietly being touched by a deeper meaning at the core of the story.
At the heart of everything is Rachel Simone Webb, whose portrayal of Juliet is captivating and radiant. Her presence commands the stage with an extraordinary voice that is both clear and powerful. She effortlessly recreates pop anthems, making every note resonate. What truly makes her performance unforgettable, however, is not just the strength of her singing.
Instead, her acting elevates her, as she imbues each lyric with meaning. When she belts out a song of defiance or hope, the notes are statements of the character’s revitalized journey. Her Juliet claims the space of a protagonist, turning music into proof of her resilience and significance.
As the need-to-be-in-control impresario, Corey Mach’s Shakespeare provides a charming foil. He portrays the famous author as a self-satisfied creator who must watch his character, with the help of his rebellious wife, rewrite her story. Mach’s performance is witty and deeply human, showing us that even the most celebrated voices in history can learn a thing or two by listening to their significant others. In a world where authority is constantly being challenged, Shakespeare reminds us that a bit of humility can be a powerful thing.
As Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s beleaguered wife, Teal Wicks embodies a deep longing for freedom in her portrayal. Anne aims to be a catalyst for change, both within her family and in her husband’s latest tragedy. She seeks to guide Juliet and Shakespeare toward a new understanding of life’s true meaning.
Singing with calm conviction, Wicks exudes a persistence rooted in overcoming hardship. Through Anne, the play honors a voice that history has often overlooked because it was not recorded. Despite their transformative power, how many such voices have been silenced in the past? It is unsettling to imagine such a sad silence.
A highlight of the show is the performances by Kathryn Allison as Angélique, Juliet’s hilariously beleaguered nurse, and Paul-Jordan Jansen as Lance, the father of François, Juliet’s new potential fiancé, who is discovered in Paris. Beyond the shenanigans of the storyline, what is essential is the past and present love affair between the two. With humor and desire, they dance the dance of love on stage, fighting against the pull of responsibility and the ghosts of the past. When their storyline is front and center, the humor is magnificent and the physical comedy expressive.
Throughout the musical, the familiar pop soundtrack is not a gimmick, but an incisive reclaiming of narrative through modern measures. Each song, from radio hit to soaring ballad, finds new life on Juliet’s journey:
- Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Since U Been Gone‘ becomes a defiant celebration of independence.
- Katy Perry’s ‘Roar’ captures the moment when Juliet embraces her sense of identity and power.
- ‘I Want It That Way’ by The Backstreet Boys turns into a duel between Shakespeare and Anne.
This clever re-contextualization of music reminds us how culture evolves and how art can always convey more than one truth. Light and poppy songs become meaningful because their themes and longings come right out of classic literature. After all, all stories are the same: A longing for meaning, a longing to be loved, and a longing to go on living and not die just yet.
On stage, the production is electrifying. Jennifer Webb’s choreography is lively and dynamic, keeping the story moving and the audience engaged. Paired with lighting changes that enhance the emotional tone and costumes full of color and imagination, the overall result is a captivating performance. Every design choice enhances the story without overpowering it. This sensational production is lighting up downtown Los Angeles now until September 7, before heading south to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa from September 9 to 21.
At its core, & Juliet is a reimagined tale about a young woman’s refusal to let destiny be written for her. But on a larger scale, it speaks to a world still struggling with questions of autonomy, equality, and the responsibility we have for our happiness. Juliet’s survival is not just her own. Instead, it is a powerful metaphor for all the movements that demand space for voices that have been silenced for too long.
Ultimately, & Juliet is much more than a clever take on a classic. The musical is a joyful celebration of resilience and the belief that our greatest stories are not fixed in ink and frozen in time. Instead, they can be revitalized and sung forward, again and again, with new meaning. At the Ahmanson Theatre, Rachel Simone Webb’s vocals lift that truth into the rafters, reminding us that choosing to live and choosing to sing our own song remains the most radical act of all.
Photos by Matthew Murphy, Courtesy of the Traveling Production
