Kaitlyn Hughes | features editor

The 2019 Broadway musical “& Juliet” switches up the script, creating an alternative tale to the classic romantic tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Normally ending in the death of the two lovers, the musical raises the questions, ‘what if they never died?’

First taking the stage at the Benedum Center on Oct. 29, the jukebox musical will run in Pittsburgh until Nov. 3.

The show opens with Shakespeare (Corey Mach) surrounded by cast members in modernized Elizabethan era clothing. Corsets were tied tight, dresses were short and everyone was wearing sneakers to make this look come to life.

As Shakespeare uses his quill pen to write the infamous ending to the star-crossed lovers’ story, his wife, Anne (Teal Wicks) disrupts the act, persuading him that Juliet (Simone Webb) should never actually die.

After finding out Romeo possessed multiple lovers and Juliet’s parents threatening to send her to a convent, the show follows her, May (Nick Drake), Juliet’s non-binary friend and Angelique (Kathryn Allison), her nurse, on their trip to Paris. Anne writes herself in as ‘April’ to join the fun.

The high-energy show was based on the book by David West Read, Emmy-winning writer from “Shitt’s Creek,” and utilizes popular songs from Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” to Bon Jovi’s’ “It’s My Life.”

A multitude of other pop hits were incorporated with a twist to fit the storyline, featuring songs from top artists like Britney Spears, Jessie J, Kesha and The Weeknd.

The show left Shakesperean times behind taking a modern approach to the music, costuming and props, save for a few references to the lifestyle of Verona back in the day.

Kelsey Battaglia, a season pass holder, enjoyed this aspect.

“It’s actually pretty funny that they are also bringing history [into it],” Battaglia said.

From inserted jokes to allusions of Shakespeare’s plays, theatergoers were consistently drawn to laughter or applause.

Although jukebox musicals tend to take away from the traditional aspects of Broadway, it draws in a crowd that is not usually tuned in to musical theater.

There were some awkward transitions into the ‘90s and early 2000s hits and not a single song went without a key change, taking away from the overarching meaning of the show. Despite these flaws, the musical does a good job of putting out a message to empower women and embrace femininity, while creating an entertaining show that captured the audience’s attention.

Cast member Nick Drake said this modern spin on the love story entices the audience because people get excited to see how the storyline was extended.

“I think the reason why the show works so well is because ‘Oh, I’m hearing the same song that I’ve heard before, except I am listening to the lyrics for the first time in a different way,’” Drake said.

Anne and Juliet were the most stand-out roles. Wicks captured the audience with her witty jabs at Shakespeare, and Webb took the audience’s breath away with her voice. She flawlessly belted notes to the song while dancing across the stage.

Alex Vacchiano, a freshman at Point Park University, has seen the show twice prior. She was captivated by Webb’s voice.

“When Juliet sang … it was chills the whole time,” Vacchiano said.

In the first act, Wicks’ singing voice stood out in a distracting way as she seemed to struggle through the verses of Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way.” She came back in the second act captivating the audience with her performance of Celine Dions’ “That’s the Way It Is.”

Francois (Mateus Leite Cardoso) also played an impressive role, taking up the character of a shy, awkward young man who is afraid to stand up to his father.

In fear of being sent to war, he agrees to marry Juliet, taking the storyline back to square one, which seemed unproductive. But alas, Shakespeare can’t go without drama.

Going behind Anne’s wishes, he revives Romeo from the dead and forms a budding romance between Francois and May, behind Juliet’s back.

One of the most powerful scenes throughout the show was after Juliet became content without needing to be with a man, inherently telling Shakespeare off.

As confetti falls from the ceiling, she appears in a flamboyant outfit to Katy Perry’s “Roar,” and the audience watches Juliet step into her own. In the end Romeo and Juliet make their way back to each other, but this time it is on her own terms.

The show is in town for three more days, with prices ranging from $44 to $155 and tickets available in both the orchestra and balcony sections.

Ultimately, unless interested in attending a jukebox production, compared to other notable shows that will make their way to the Benedum, “& Juliet” isn’t a “must see.”