In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet two impulsive teens defy their feuding families, marry in secret and both end up dead — he because he believes Juliet is already dead (when she’s not) and she because she knows Romeo is dead.
But what if Juliet never killed herself with that dagger? What if she was really, really sad about Romeo’s death but instead of following his lead, decided to continue to live?
That’s the premise of the musical & Juliet about to open at Broadway at the Hobby. It’s a short run and tickets ae going quickly so if you’re thinking about going, better move fast. The songs in the show are all pop hits written or co-written by Swedish songwriter and record producer Max Martin and all (but one new song) previously made famous by the likes of Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, Katy Perry, Ke$ha … the list is almost endless.
When the musical starts, nearly all of Shakespeare’s tragedy has happened, says Rachel Simone Webb who plays the title character. As with all musicals, Juliet breaks into song at the big moments — in this case when she finds Romeo dead. It’s the song choice involved — a Britney Spears chart topper — that will surprise audiences as she mourns him.
“It’s both funny and heartfelt,” Webb says. “They turned it into a ballad.” Realizing that her disapproving parents are going to send her to a nunnery, “She goes on a journey with her best friends.”
This is the moment when the story is finally in her own hands. Her parents don’t have anything to sayon what she does with her life. Her lover doesn’t have any say on what she does with her life.” Previously most of everything they did was Romeo’s idea, Webb says. “She has so many things she can do with her life. She was just 13.”
Call it female empowerment writ large. Rendered in pop songs, with choreography to match and frequent colorful costume changes, Webb says.
The role has been one Webb has portrayed for a while. An understudy on Broadway to Tony nominee Lorna Courtney, Webb went on more than 150 times when she wasn’t part of the ensemble and says it was a good training ground for performing the role on the national tour. Courtney taught her how to perform the role over and over again and to be a leader to the cast on and off stage. “She was my blueprint.”
She likes playing Juliet so much “because it empowers me.” she says. “There’s no way that the text that you say eight times a week won’t impact you in some way as an artist. You’re playing a character but that person is still able to speak to you in a way. Juliet is a role that encourages you as you’re performing it.”
“Women across the coutry are encouraged by Juliet . And I think when they bring their husbands they have a lo9t to talk about on the ride home,”
Webb, who grew up in DeSoto, a Dallas suburb, sang in church choirs and school choruses before going to Texas State University and graduating with a degree in musical theater in 2020. From there she moved to New York City where it took her about a year of auditions before she got her first job on Broadway.
For the touring show, there are about 25 people in the cast.
“This is a big powerhouse show. There’s the quintessential big musical number in the middle. Big dance number. But we sing everything. Dance comes in at the most heightened moments in Juliet’s story. Juliet seems to tell stories through her body.”
Asked why people should come see the musical, Webb laughs and says: “They should come see this so they can have a good night out. They’ll leave singing the songs.”
Performances are scheduled for January 21-26 at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday at the Hobby Center, 800 Bagby. For more information, call 713-315-7625 or visit thehobbycenter.org or broadwayatthebobbycenter.com. $40-$100.
