‘& Juliet’ Broadway tour review | Joey Fatone sings Backstreet Boys songs for Orlando stop
“& Juliet” brings unexpected star power to the Orlando stage in the form of boy band mainstay Joey Fatone alongside a high-energy jukebox musical that blends Shakespeare with modern pop spectacle.
The North American tour of “& Juliet” is playing at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts from Jan. 6-11, 2026, bringing with it a heavy dose of musical nostalgia. The show is a playful “what if” reimagining of “Romeo & Juliet,” asking what might happen if Juliet did not die at the end of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Instead, she sets off on a journey of self discovery, rewriting her own story to the sound of pop hits written and produced by Max Martin. While Martin’s name may not be immediately recognizable to all audiences, his catalog certainly is, including boy band anthems like “Larger Than Life” and “It’s Gonna Be Me,” as well as pop hits such as “Roar” and “Since U Been Gone.”
Star power and standout performances
As a special treat for Orlando audiences, Joey Fatone appears as Lance, a role he previously played briefly on Broadway. This limited engagement is scheduled to run for the duration of the show’s Orlando stop through Jan. 11. As the comic Lance, Fatone clearly relishes the opportunity to ham it up with an exaggerated accent and broad physical comedy straight out of a Shakespearean farce. He also proves he still has his boy band chops intact, singing and dancing through several numbers that amusingly include songs made famous by rival group Backstreet Boys.
Fatone was not the only notable presence on opening night. Local actor Daniel Tracht stepped into the role of William Shakespeare as an understudy performance and brought charm and approachability to a character that could easily feel smug or grating. His charisma and boyish energy helped ground the role and made his scenes particularly enjoyable.
The women who carry the show
Local pride aside, “& Juliet” truly belongs to its two female leads. Fabiola Caraballo Quijada stars as Juliet, while Crystal Kellogg plays Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife. Fresh off winning the 2025 Jimmy Award for outstanding high school performers, Quijada is making her first Broadway tour appearance and delivers a breakout performance. Her singing and dancing are impressive, but it is her vulnerability, comedic timing, and commanding stage presence that mark her as a performer with a very bright future.
Kellogg brings a strong theatrical résumé to the production and provides much of the show’s emotional grounding. Her portrayal of Anne Hathaway traces a thoughtful journey from sidelined spouse to equal partner, adding depth and nuance that helps balance the show’s high energy pop numbers.
Technical elements and visual Style
Opening night was not without hiccups. Audio issues delayed the start of the performance and resulted in some scratchy microphones throughout the evening. These are likely growing pains that will smooth out as the tour settles into the venue.
Visually, the production is vibrant and playful. Scenery and costumes blend Elizabethan influences with modern flair, placing corsets and codpieces alongside jukeboxes and neon colors. The design keeps the audience rooted in Shakespeare’s world while making room for the show’s contemporary sensibilities. Projections, bubbles, smoke effects, and frequent use of intense lighting often make the experience feel closer to a pop concert than a traditional Broadway musical, encouraging audience members to sing and dance along.
Final thoughts
“& Juliet” delivers an upbeat and affirming message about forging your own path and claiming ownership of your story. Themes of identity, self love, and female empowerment resonate strongly throughout the show and are brought to life by a diverse and capable cast. While parental discretion is advised due to some strong language, the production does address lingering questions around the characters’ ages with a quick, if somewhat hand-wavy, clarification that places them firmly in adulthood. The show’s energy, inclusivity, and confidence make it easy for audiences to find something that speaks to them. “& Juliet” may remix Shakespeare with pop hits, but it does so with enough heart to make the mashup feel playful rather than gimmicky.
“& Juliet” is playing now through Jan. 11 at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, Fla. For tickets and additional information, visit AndJulietBroadway.com.
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