& JULIET On Broadway - Reviews & News Thread — Page 9

DramaTeach said: "3) I actually really enjoyed the secret relationship between May and Frankie, but “I’m Not a Girl (Not Yet a Woman)” and “I Kissed a Girl” was confusing, but maybe that’s my own misunderstandings. If May is non-binary, why would they keep referring to her in the feminine (I understand it’s in the lyrics)"

I've heard this comment before, people saying that &Juliet doesn't really adknowledge the sexuality of May. I guess my question is, why do we need to know? Why can't we just enjoy the story of two people finding themselves and falling in love?

 

fashionguru_23 said: "DramaTeach said: "3) I actually really enjoyed the secret relationship between May and Frankie, but “I’m Not a Girl (Not Yet a Woman)” and “I Kissed a Girl” was confusing, but maybe that’s my own misunderstandings. If May is non-binary, why would they keep referring to her in the feminine (I understand it’s in the lyrics)"

I've heard this comment before, people saying that &Juliet doesn't really adknowledge the sexuality of May. I guess my question is, why do we need to know? Why can't we just enjoy the story of two people finding themselves and falling in love?

"

I think the simplest thing to do is identify May as being "Gender Fluid" as much as non-binary, so using female pronouns during pivotal moments feels like a validation of that identity. At the end of the day, May's subplot is simply one element of a show with about a dozen story threads, but is still given enough weight to stand out. May's arc is the story of a character gaining confidence* in their unusual gender identity, and finding the ideal partner as a result, still feels like a triumph. 

(* - It seems to me that all the protagonists of & Juliet either gain the confidence to stand up for themselves - Francois, May, Angelique and Anne Hathway/April - or learn to become more mature and responsible - Shakespeare, Romeo, Lance - with Juliet herself developing in both areas. For all the chaos of the story, this does provide a pleasingly coherent and resonant underlying theme.) 

It was rehearsed. Every show does it now at their first preview during the bows. 

I saw this Saturday night (understudy on for Romeo), and liked it. A lot. Found it laugh out loud funny and often clever. That being said, I thought act two had some terribly preachy moments that were just too much (not the messages themselves, but the delivery).  I enjoyed the costumes greatly, too. Found the set overly big, more style than substance. 

I was in the orchestra, row E, all the way to house left....only felt like I missed a few things, nothing major (sound was excellent).

Szot was a hoot....as someone mentioned earlier, he seemed to be having a blast. I liked Angelique, but often couldn't understand her dialogue. 

 

Here's an odd observation. The curtain calls seemed "off" to me. (I know they aren't a huge deal, but still...) 1. Why does Romeo bow AFTER  Frankie and May? Seems reversed. 2. Likewise, during Frankie & May's bow, it seems like May should have the latter bow. No idea why my mind keeps going to this!

I dont like jukebox musicals in general...but this worked far better than most. I did not like the screamers in the house, which I fear is simply going to get worse as more teens show up on repeat. This isn't a show I think I'd go back to myself, but we really had a good time. 

It is my secret desire for Brian Littrell or Justin Timberlake to be stunt-cast as Shakespeare sometime down the line (maybe both at different points?).

Finally seeing this, having been looking forward to it for three years!  Full cast is on except for Walker (very surprised to see he’s still out so close to opening night).

ETA: Loved everything about this show!  It surpassed my already high expectations!

Updated On: 11/15/22 at 07:02 PM

Gotta love middle aged women in the boxes getting up and dancing like they are at a wedding during the backstreets back song

Walker is back tonight. 

Spotted Casey Nicolaw at todays show.

What must he be thinking watching a show that deals with sexually fluid folks without putting straight men in dresses? 

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS SHOW........

It's so modern and smart and now!

 

 

EDSOSLO858 said: "Jordan Catalano said: "Walker is back tonight."

Don't know if you saw this from slightly earlier in this thread... but thoughts on potentially stunt-casting JT or Brian Littrell as Shakespeare in the future?"

Brian Littrell maybe but you cant seriously think Justin Timberlake is going to step into a supporting role in a jukebox musical on Bway and sing his pop songs from 20 years ago?

PipingHotPiccolo said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Jordan Catalano said: "Walker is back tonight."

Don't know if you saw this from slightly earlier in this thread... but thoughts on potentially stunt-casting JT or Brian Littrell as Shakespeare in the future?"

Brian Littrell maybe but you cant seriously think Justin Timberlake is going to step into a supporting role in a jukebox musical on Bway and sing his pop songs from 20 years ago?"

Not even his pop songs. I think there was maybe one verse from an NSYNC song in this show.

 

We shall see!