Music Theatre International has added pop jukebox musical & Juliet to their catalogue. The musical, which features a songlist of tunes written by Max Martin that dominated the airwaves in the '90s and '00s, is currently playing Broadway's Stephen Sondheim Theatre, a national tour, and a U.K. tour. With those professional stagings still active, a launch date for licensing of new productions is to be announced.
The show flips the script on William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, imagining what would happen next had Juliet not ended it all over Romeo. Along with songs like "Since U Been Gone," "Roar," "I Want It That Way," and "Confident," the musical features a book by Schitt's Creek writer David West Read, along with orchestrations by Bill Sherman and additional orchestrations by Dominic Fallacaro. Originally premiering in the U.K. in 2019, the musical's 2022 Broadway transfer was the first new musical of its season to recoup its original investment.
“I am thrilled that & Juliet will continue to thrive under the stewardship of MTI and inspire both performers and audiences," says Read in a statement. "While this musical brings plenty of fun, incredible dance numbers, and pop songs that are known and loved around the world, it is, at its core, a show about starting over, learning to love yourself, and fighting for a better ending to your story—no matter who you are, or where you come from. I hope that’s one of the things people take away from the show.”
“This brand-new take on a classic story is a high-energy treat for fans of the Bard and fans of great pop music,” adds MTI President and CEO Drew Cohen. “The songs of Max Martin are pop hits known the world over that have been the soundtrack to all of our lives. David West Read’s witty, fun, and empowering book makes this new take on this centuries-old tale more relevant than ever. We can’t wait to offer & Juliet to theatres all around the world.”
Theatres interested in producing the title can sign up for notifications on its licensing availability at MTIShows.com.