Displaying items by tag: Romeo & Juliet

Tuesday, 14 April 2026 14:33

NSYNC SUPERSTAR JOEY FATONE TO JOIN THE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR OF & JULIET AS ‘LANCE’ FOR A LIMITED ENGAGEMENT

The producers of & Juliet and Broadway In Chicago announced today that pop music superstar Joey Fatone will join the North American Tour company of the smash hit musical, reprising the role of ‘Lance’ following his recent Broadway run. Fatone will join the touring cast for an exclusive two-week limited engagement when the show makes its triumphant return to Chicago. The production will run at The Auditorium™ from July 22– August 2.

Tickets are on sale now at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.  Individual tickets range from $49 to $175, with a limited number of premium seats available. Additional fees apply for online purchases. Group tickets for 10 or more are available by calling (312) 977-1710 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For additional ticket information and the performance schedule, see below.

Fatone, a founding member of iconic boy band *NSYNC (a frequent Max Martin collaborator), made his Broadway debut in 2002 as ‘Mark’ in RENT, and went on to play ‘Seymour’ in Little Shop of Horrors in 2004 before joining the Broadway cast of & Juliet in the role of ‘Lance’ in 2025.

Joey Fatone first rose to fame as a member of the record-shattering, multi-platinum boyband *NSYNC; but his career as a global pop icon was just the beginning. Over the past decade he has gone on to find success as an actor, host, Broadway star, voiceover artist, dancer, and media personality with a number of hit television shows under his belt.

The North American touring company of & Juliet is helmed by 2025 Jimmy Award® winner Fabiola Caraballo Quijada as ‘Juliet’. The touring company includes Kathryn Allison as ‘Angélique,’ Crystal Kellogg as ‘Anne Hathaway,’ CJ Eldred as ‘Shakespeare,’ Nico Ochoa as ‘May,’ Joseph Torres as ‘Romeo,’ and Noah Marlowe as ‘François.’  

The ensemble includes Jared Alexander, Dasean Brown, Bridgette Carey, Lois Ellise, Josh Fermin, Jourdan Ibe, Armani Ponder-Keith, Cayla Primous, Matt Rene Rivera, Bex Robinson, Kayla Saunders, Robbie Serrano, Kyra Smith, Alex Tho, Daniel Tracht and Ryan Winkler.

The production is stage managed by Joel Rosen. The company manager is Denny Daniello. 

The tour is scheduled to visit more than 40 cities in its second blockbuster year including Miami, San Antonio, Montreal, Indianapolis, Austin and the tour’s first triumphant return to Chicago this summer.

Additional information on tour stops, venues, performance schedules and individual ticket purchase links are available at andjulietbroadway.com/tour. Fans are encouraged to follow & Juliet on social media channels to receive tour news and updates.

Featuring songs by the legendary Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Max Martin, a book by the Emmy-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” David West Read, direction by Luke Sheppard and choreography by Emmy-Award winner Jennifer Weber, & Juliet opened on Broadway in November 2022, where it continues playing to sold-out crowds and breaking box office records.

The hilarious new musical & Juliet flips the script on the greatest love story ever told and asks: what would happen if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way.

Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including "Since U Been Gone‚" "Roar," "Baby One More Time," "Larger Than Life‚" "That’s The Way It Is," and "Can't Stop the Feeling!"—all from the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century— Max Martin. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.

The full creative team for the North American tour of & Juliet includes David West Read (Book), Max Martin & Friends (Music & Lyrics), Luke Sheppard (Direction), Jennifer Weber (Choreography), Bill Sherman (Musical Supervision, Orchestrations and Arrangements), Soutra Gilmour (Scenic Design), Paloma Young  (Costume Design), Howard Hudson (Lighting Design), Gareth Owen (Sound Design), Andrzej Goulding (Video & Projection Design) and J. Jared Janas (Hair, Wig & Makeup Design) and Dominic Fallacaro  (Additional Orchestrations and Arrangements). The North American tour is music directed by Andre Cerullo. US Casting is by Stephen Kopel, Carrie Gardner, and Jillian Cimini, CSA. & Juliet is Executive Produced on Broadway and tour by Eva Price.

& Juliet is produced on Broadway by Max Martin , Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page, Jenny Petersson, Martin Dodd and Eva Price.

& Juliet has played in nine countries and on four continents since its West End Premiere in 2019. The show premiered on Broadway in 2022, where it broke box office records and was nominated for nine Tony Awards. This December, an additional production will open at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, Canada, returning to the musical’s first North American home. The Original Broadway Cast Recording of & Juliet was released in October 2022 on Atlantic Records and is available wherever streaming music is played.

CONNECT WITH & JULIET
andjulietbroadway.com
Instagram: @andjulietbway
X: @andjulietbway
Facebook: @andjulietbway
TikTok: @andjulietbway

TICKET INFORMATION (as of 4/14/26, based on availability and subject to change)
Individual tickets range from $49—$175 and may be purchased at www.BroadwayInChicago.com or any Broadway In Chicago box office. A select number of premium seats are available. Additional fees apply for online purchases. For groups of 10 or more, call Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Subscribers may add tickets to their subscription by clicking here or by calling (312) 977-1717. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com .

ABOUT THE AUDITORIUM
The Auditorium™ , located at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive in Chicago, is an Illinois not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural, community, and educational programming to all of Chicago and beyond as The Theatre for the People. The organization is also committed to the continued restoration and preservation of this National Historic Landmark that originally opened in 1889. For more information on The Auditorium™ please visit AuditoriumTheatre.org.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 26 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium™.

For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
Follow @broadwayinchicago on Facebook, Instagram, Blue Sky, and TikTok #broadwayinchicago

BIO: JOEY FATONE
Following *NSYNC’s incredible success with albums that sold over 10 million copies and countless awards; Joey proved to be a prominent performer and personality in his own right. With projects spanning from television, film and Broadway, his talent has no boundaries. Joey's energetic spirit is unstoppable as he taps into his entrepreneurial side with Fat Ones, a hot dog business based in Orlando, FL. In November of 2019, during Epcot's Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat series, Joey performed three days of successful shows titled, Joey Fatone and Friends. Fans packed the theater and were entertained by Joey along with Chris KirkPatrick, Ryan Cabrera, Nathan Morris of BOYZ II MEN, MC Search and more. He continues to do this concept currently at Epcot, Tampa and other cities in the US.

In August of 2021 of that year, Joey Fatone brought together some of the biggest pop superstars for a perfect, intimate evening of pop-culture classics and fun for a sold-out residency in Las Vegas. The AFTR PRTY featured Joey Fatone, Wanya Morris, Nick Carter and AJ McLean.

MTV VMA’s 2023, Fatone reunited with NSYNC as presenters, causing the reunion to go viral. The buzz created by the iconic boy band perfectly segued into their first song release in 22 years, called “Better Place” which is featured on The Trolls 3 soundtrack. Fatone also made a surprise appearance as the voice of ‘Ablaze’ alongside his *NSYNC bandmates in Trolls 3 Trolls Band Together. The iconic group also released their second song, "Paradise”, featured on Justin Timberlake’s new album. During JT’s LA show, the group did a surprise performance for the fans - creating their second viral moment to date - proving their status is timeless.

Continuing on the pop star course - last year Joey, with fellow pop icon AJ McLean, of Backstreet Boys, presented a national tour called "A Legendary Night". An intimate night of comedy, intimate conversations and of course music.

Loyal fans got their fix when Fatone returned to the Broadway stage in the role of 'Lance' in & Juliet, running from early 2025 through the summer. He continues to perform and host events throughout the U.S.

Follow Joey on social media: @realjoeyfatone

Published in Upcoming Theatre

Review: Chicago Repertory Ballet's The Capulets at Ruth Page Center for the Arts

Jackson Liee as Tybalt and FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE IMAGES HERE Press contact: Katy O’Malley/Beth Silverman The Silverman Group katy@silvermangroupchicago.com 847 - 814 - 1940 Chicago Repertory Ballet announces cast for World Premiere of The Capulets , November 7 - 16, 2025 Miriam - Rose LeDuc as Lady Capulet.

I’ll cut right to the chase and say THE CAPULETS by Chicago Repertory Ballet may be the finest dance show I’ve seen since I saw the Joffrey dance Christopher Wheeldon’s iconic adaptation of Nutcracker.

I had the delight of speaking both before & after the show with Wade Schaaf, founder and Artistic Director of Chicago Repertory Ballet and choreographer of THE CAPULETS [and looking, just BTW, perfectly splendid in an Elizabethan-themed doublet!]. schaaf wears many hats – a true Renaissance man! I wish I could have seen them dance, and I’m thankful they founded this company when they retired and sustained it ever since (that goes on my Thanksgiving list!). They told me this ballet has been dwelling in their head for years; they were thrilled that it was coming to life tonight in its world premiere.

The dancers’ visual illustration of the tale integrated superbly with the auditory portrayal of Matty Mattsson's captivating musical score. Together they portrayed the story begun by Shakespeare so long ago and now extended by Wade Schaaf. Is THE CAPULETS then the backstory to ROMEO & JULIET? I think not – nothing so simple nor so disconnected. THE CAPULETS is a completely new tale, only borrowing characters from the Bard’s iconic play. [I might even characterize it as fanfiction, though some would see this as trivializing a rich and vibrant independent work.]

Zach Minnich and John Pobojewski fashioned ingenious digital sets that drew us in without sacrificing an inch of the dancers’ floor space and were further enhanced by David Goodman-Edberg’s creative lighting. Liviu Pasare’s videography was also masterly, though some of the projected text was difficult to read quickly, distracting my attention from the dance, which was telling the story quite efficaciously on its own.

Nathan R. Rohrer brilliantly fashioned costumes that were nearly monochromatic – chiefly black but using splashes of red (e.g. a cloak’s lining) to highlight the major characters. On the whole, the Artistic Team created a vessel for the passionate patterns and movements of the dance and the music’s unrestrained exuberance.

We all know the Capulet family from Shakespeare’s celebrated original story, and THE CAPULETS begins similarly, with a playful duel between Mercutio (Nathaniel Urie) and Benvolio (Molly Gemechak), escalating into a brawl until Prince Escalus (Phillip Ollenberg) breaks it up. Add one more laurel to Wade Schaaf’s creative repertoire: the stage fighting was eloquent and authentic (reminiscent of my beloved Babes with Blades), while even the fiercest combat retained the contours of ballet.

In THE CAPULETS Schaaf realigns the love and partnering depicted by Shakespeare. We see Romeo (P.J. Spagnoletti) and Juliet (Tessa Castellano) fall in love at the Capulet’s ball, but they are peripheral characters. Rather, Schaaf presents a poignant tryst between Lord Capulet (Rosario Guillen) and Paris (Skyler Newcom), thereby fulfilling my long yearning for a male-male pas de deux, where both dancers may perform lifts and throws – Bravo! Bravamissio Renaissance queers!

The lead couple of THE CAPULETS is Lady Capulet and Tybalt. Miriam-Rose LeDuc danced Lady Capulet with passion and pathos, and her pas de trois with Lord Capulet and Paris was sensational. Schaaf’s choreography was very generous, showcasing all participating dancers while including wonderful solos for each.

I always have a favorite character and, as I so often do, I’ve left the best for last: Jackson Ferreira. This Brazilian native began dancing relatively late – not until age 16 – but has more than made up for any lost time. In solos and pas de deux he was magnificent, yet with the company he did not attenuate the other dancers, as may occur with exceptional dancers [though I must admit that I personally couldn’t tear my eyes from him!]. But please don’t suppose my admiration for this one artist undermines my veneration for the other dancers and the company as a whole.

Nothing is perfect, not even THE CAPULETS. I would plead for some alteration of the text projected Stage Left in Act II – I had difficulty reading it, thus stealing my attention from the dancers for several crucial seconds… and the dancers were already telling the story. Or maybe the text could be projected above the stage…. And my companion and I both found the final scene discordant. Why burden a terrific story with a happy ending?

Through November 16th at Ruth Page Center for the Arts. For more information or tickets, visit https://www.chicagorepertoryballet.com/thecapulets.

Published in Dance in Review

Broadway in Chicago’s Production of & Juliet is a Jaw-Dropping Blast from Start to Finish

Rachel Simone Webb and the company of the North American Tour of & JULIET.

Lights come down at the top of the show. We are clearly in a rehearsal hall as the ensemble lets us know that it’s opening night of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet – and they cannot be more excited to perform the material. Video and Projection Designer Andrezej Goulding helps guide the audience to the right time and place with images at the back of the stage representing Elizabethan England. Costume Designer Paloma Young dresses the actors with an impressive nod to the traditional. As they prepare for the opening number, Lighting Designer Howard Hudson zooms in on the cast with radiant color as they slowly move center stage. Fans in the audience may recognize the familiar starting notes of the song, but if not, the lyrics are likely to help fully draw you in:

“All you people can’t you see, can’t you see.
How your love’s affecting our reality.
Every time we’re down, you can make it right.
And that makes you larger than –“

William Shakespeare (Corey Mach) runs on stage to continue the song as this particular performance’s audience goes wild. &Juliet is a jukebox musical of iconic pop songs, and Max Martin (the talented creative behind Music and Lyrics) and book writer David West Read waste no time throwing us in with one of the famous throwbacks from the Backstreet Boys – “Larger than Life.” As the ensemble performed Jennifer Weber’s choreography, this audience felt one step away from jumping on their feet to dance along. The overall feel is like that of a pop concert, and the energy only heightens from there.

Directed by Luke Sheppard, & Juliet takes place on the opening night of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. As the cast prepares to rehearse the ending, his wife, Anne (Teal Wicks) unravels everything with a twist. What if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo but instead, went on living? What if the famous love story actually began with Romeo’s death, and instead created an opportunity for Juliet to go out and experience life? As Shakespeare and Anne co-write (and argue over) the new story, we are invited along on the journey as Juliet (Rachel Simone Webb) sees the world through new eyes – even inviting Anne and Shakespeare to learn a little something about their relationship along the way.

To say that Sheppard’s ensemble is full of stellar performers is an understatement. Each actor carried a vocal belt that rang from the rafters as they brought the boppy score to life. Pop fans will recognize a number of the hits including “Since U Been Gone,” “I Want it That Way,” “Domino,” “Roar,” and “It’s My Life.” Particularly when combined with Weber’s choreography and the vibrant design scheme, you might just find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat – afraid you will miss something if you so much as blink.

Michael Canu and the company of the North American Tour of & JULIET.

As much as the musical feels like a pop concert with high energy and fast-paced music, you might find that a large part of what sells the show is the heart – particularly as Anne learns to find her voice alongside Juliet.

In an effort to find agency, Anne writes herself into the story as one of Juliet’s best friends – helping her along as she gets over Romeo and finds new life in Paris, France. When Juliet finds herself in the middle of a major romantic decision, Anne sits her down and shares her own story. Her marriage to Shakespeare has never been easy, and she has to navigate the highs and lows of that every day.

The two begin to sing Celine Dion’s “That’s the Way it Is” – which is quite the tonal shift. In contrast to the larger-than-life choreography and light show from earlier, Sheppard pairs it down – focusing on the two women simply sitting in chairs at the center of the stage. We are left with little more than the actors themselves and their stunning vocals – filled with the heartbreaking emotion of the moment. If you’re anything like this writer, you may even find yourself moved to tears – watching these two women empower each other to not only move on, but also aim for better.

Full of jaw-dropping talent and creative pizazz, & Juliet is a theatrical event that leaves you wanting more. Especially for those who grew up listening to the pop sensations of the Backstreet Boys and Brittany Spears, the musical is sure to thrust you into nostalgia.

Run Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes, with intermission

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

& Juliet runs through December 15 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre – 151 W Randolph St. See the Broadway in Chicago website for more information regarding tickets.

Published in Theatre in Review

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