& Juliet Us National tour is here in Cleveland at the Connor Palace Theater and is nothing short of extraordinary. This high-energy production masterfully blends a reimagined Shakespearean narrative with chart-topping pop hits, delivering an unforgettable theatrical experience.
Rachel Webb shines in the role of Juliet, captivating the audience with her powerful vocals. Her performances of Roar and Stronger were particularly breathtaking, sending chills through the theater.
Paul Jordan Jensen as Lance provides outstanding comedic relief, with his duet alongside Kathryn Allison (Teenage Dream / Break Free) standing out as one of my highlights of the evening. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time.
Corey Mach delivers a fantastic portrayal of Shakespeare, effortlessly balancing humor and depth as he navigates the challenge of rewriting his most famous tragedy. Alongside Teal Wicks as Anne, the duo brings a compelling dynamic to the stage, as they not only reshape Juliet’s fate—transforming her into a strong, independent woman—but also wrestle with the complexities of their own marriage. Wicks brings warmth and sharp wit to Anne, who constantly pushes Shakespeare to relinquish his control over the story, while his own self-sabotage and insecurity threaten both their work and their relationship. Their chemistry is electric, making their scenes together just as engaging as the larger-than-life musical numbers.
A special mention goes to Nick Drake, who delivers an incredible performance as May. Their rendition of Britney Spear’s “I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman” was just extraordinary. Having previously seen them in Back to the Future: The Musical in New York City, I was so happy to see they were a part of this cast and coming through Cleveland.
The show features multiple cast members with connections to Northeast Ohio including Berea native Paul Jordan Jansen and Strongsville native Corey Mach as well as cast members Nick Drake, Mateus Leite Cardoso,Shelby Griswold and Camille Brooks all graduated from the Baldwin Wallace Musical Theatre Program.
From its electrifying choreography to its cleverly woven humor, & Juliet is a production that demands to be seen. I highly recommend seeing this show while in town – It has jumped very high on my top favorite shows list.
Don’t miss your chance to experience & Juliet at the Connor Palace Theater, running through March 23rd. Visit PlayhouseSquare.org for more information. This is one production you won’t want to miss!
