& Juliet at Broward Center Proves The Best Love Story Is the One You Write for Yourself

By Joanie Cox Henry

Forget about the version of Romeo & Juliet you stumbled through in your ninth grade English class. Juliet Capulet doesn't want it that way anymore. In the gloriously glittery, unapologetically joyful musical & Juliet, Shakespeare's most famous heroine trades tragedy for triumph, and honestly? It's about Bard time.

Currently lighting up the Broward Center for the Performing Arts through Jan. 25, 2026, this pop-powered reimagining asks one brilliant question: What if Juliet woke up, realized Romeo wasn't worth dying for, and decided to Roam-io her way to Paris instead? (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

The show is pure theatrical serotonin and frankly, some kind of punderful. Picture this: Max Martin's greatest hits. Yes, those songs that defined the late '90s and early 2000s, woven into a story about self-discovery, chosen family, and rewriting your own narrative. It's like someone took your favorite playlist, added sequins and Shakespeare, then cranked everything up to eleven.

The brilliance behind this pop-powered redemption arc? Emmy-winning Schitt's Creek writer David West Read penned the book, while legendary hitmaker Martin provides the soundtrack that's been stuck in your head since 1999. Is this show "Larger Than Life?" Yes, baby hit me one more time because "I Want It That Way!"

Fabiola Caraballo Quijada commands the stage as our fearless heroine, delivering vocals that could shatter the glass ceiling and break hearts in equal measure. When she belts out power ballads about independence, you don't just hear them—you feel them in your soul. The entire ensemble radiates infectious energy that makes resistance futile. By intermission, even the most stoic theatergoers were toe-tapping along.

What makes & Juliet truly special isn't just its sparkle (though there's plenty of that). Beneath the dazzling choreography and laugh-out-loud comedy beats a genuine heart. This is a show about claiming your story, loving authentically, and refusing to be anyone's footnote. It's Shakespeare meets self-care, and the chemistry is much ado about something wonderful.

Crystall Kellog delights as Anne Hathaway, the emotionally neglected yet brilliant wife of William Shakespeare. Nico Ocho shines as May, Juliet's fierce bestie and Kathryn Allison enchants as Angelique. CJ Eldred struts onstage as the ego-driven Shakespeare who's equal parts rock star and frustrated playwright delivering every meta moment with the kind of mischievous charm that makes you want to throw roses (or maybe a quill) at the stage.

Paul-Jordan Jansen brings pure sunshine to the role of Lance, delivering comedic timing sharp enough to rival any sword fight and a heart big enough to steal every scene he's in.

Joseph Torres transforms Romeo from tragic hero to lovably clueless ex with such charm and vocal prowess that you almost, almost, understand why Juliet fell for him in the first place.

Noah Marlowe's Francois is an absolute scene-stealer, serving fierce fashion, fiercer dance moves, and a performance so joyfully authentic it practically radiates off the stage in glitter and applause.

The staging delivers spectacle without sacrificing substance. Each musical number feels purposeful rather than shoehorned, giving familiar pop anthems new emotional depth while keeping the fun factor dialed to maximum. The result? A theatrical experience that's both deeply moving and deliriously entertaining.

In a world that often feels heavy, & Juliet offers something precious: permission to rewrite the ending. It reminds us that tragedy isn't inevitable, happiness is worth fighting for, and sometimes the greatest love story is learning to love yourself first.

To borrow from the Bard himself: "All's well that ends well"—and this show ends very well indeed. Trust us, this is one star-crossed adventure you won't want to miss.

& Juliet runs through Jan. 25 at Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale. Get your tickets at Browardcenter.org

Here are some shots from opening night!

And just for the record...I loved the music in this show so much, I treated myself to the vinyl soundtrack!