What if she wakes up after drinking that vile potion and seeing Romeo's corpse, she does not stab herself with a dagger.
Rachel Simone Webb and the company of the North American Tour of "& Juliet." Photo by Matthew Murphy. Courtesy PNC Broadway in Louisville.
This idea sets the story in motion for the jukebox musical "& Juliet," which is part of Arts Angle Vantage's next Critical Angle workshop. It includes attending the April 22 opening performance from the touring production in PNC Broadway in Louisville’s season at The Kentucky Center for the Arts.
This jukebox musical features a bevy of pop song arrangements including the Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way," Ariana Grande's "Break Free," Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream," Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time," and The Weeknd's "Can't Feel My Face."
Register with the form below before the March 28, 2025, deadline, as spots are limited.
Participants get to see the musical on opening night and review the performance, all supported by a workshop with sessions that cover
• The origins and background of this Tony Award-nominated musical
• American and British musical-theater history and the influence of Shakespeare and Elizabethan on musicals.
• The history of jukebox musicals in theater.
• Writing a review. This includes discussing theater and examining the structure in existing reviews to prepare.
• Aspects of direction, choreography, production: costumes, sets. lighting, sound, etc.
• Getting feedback on their writing and having their work published.
• Getting to know their peers!
"& Juliet" opened on Broadway in November 2022. and was nominated for 9 Tony Awards in the musical category, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Choreography.
"& Juliet" runs at the Kentucky Center for the Arts from April 22 through 27.
WHEN & WHERE: Sessions
• Monday, April 7, 10-11:30 a.m. • Young Critics' Workshop I, virtual
• Saturday, April 12, 7 to 8:30 p.m. • Young Critics' Workshop II, in-person. U of L
• Monday, April 14, 7 to 8:30 p.m. • Young Critics' Workshop III, virtual.
• Tuesday, April 22, 6:45 p.m. • “& Juliet” Performance, in person,
Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, Whitney Hall,
501 W. Main St. (Performance begins at 7:30 p.m.)
• Wednesday, April 23, 7 to 8:30 p.m. • Critics' Group Reflections, virtual.
• April 25-30 (scheduled individually) • Young Critics' One-on-One Edits, virtual.
Rachel Simone Webb and Mateus Leite Cardoso in the North American Tour of "& Juliet." Photo by Matthew Murphy. Courtesy PNC Broadway in Louisville.
CONTENT & LOGISTICS
• Pre-performance sessions cover:
- “& Juliet! The Musical,” musical theater history, jukebox musicals, musicals influenced by the writings of Shakespeare and Elizabethan history and theater, the structure of and issues to consider when writing reviews, etc.
- Sessions offer participants time to discuss theater, writing, and viewpoints — and opportunities to make friends.
• A post-performance session includes discussions and participants sharing initial draft sentences and/or paragraphs as part of the writing process.
• Articles will appear online in a partner publication, provided participants complete the requirements.
• Each spot comes with a ticket for the critic and their/her/his accompanying adult.
ABOUT US: Our FREE program for young writers has presented opportunities for teens to see and write about many productions including "Hamilton," "Mean Girls" and "Hadestown." We strive to prepare youth from diverse backgrounds for success by providing access to the arts and empowering them to use their voices to create arts journalism that reaches a wider public.