the mommy avenger

Let me just say it—& Juliet is storytelling at its finest. What I experienced at the Buell Theatre in Denver wasn’t your typical Shakespeare, it was a full-blown joy ride through love, laughter, self-discovery, and some of the biggest pop anthems of the 2000s. I laughed, I got chills, I wanted to stand up and cheer—and so did half the audience.

This show doesn’t just “rewrite” Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet—it tosses the ending out the window and says, “What if Juliet lived?” Then it rebuilds everything from there, three layers deeper and wider. We’re talking multiple love stories, messy emotions, big questions about choice, freedom, and finding your own voice. It’s Juliet’s story now, and she’s not going quietly.

The show opens with Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway—yes, that Anne—literally narrating and rewriting the story together on stage, scene by scene. Their chemistry is hilarious and smart, and they serve as a kind of comic anchor while Juliet breaks free and writes her own future.

Now the music? WOW. Every iconic hit from our teenage and college years—“Since U Been Gone,” “Stronger,” “Roar,” “It’s My Life”—they’re all in there. But not just tossed in for fun. These songs were transformed. Reimagined to fit the character’s emotions in the moment, giving the lyrics a whole new life. I’m telling you, some of these covers were so good, they honestly blew the original versions out of the water. The harmonies, the solos, the raw power—it was spine-tingling.

And the visuals—don’t even get me started. The set was constantly shifting and glowing, thanks to this incredible use of projection that created everything from cathedrals to nightclubs. The lighting? Perfection. Sound? Felt like you were inside the music. Costumes? Think Shakespeare-meets-Vegas. Period pieces with a modern twist, full of sparkle, color, and intention.

Transitions between scenes were so smooth, you barely noticed. And the energy? Through. The. Roof. The cast was fully locked in, the audience was right there with them. People were clapping mid-scene, shouting affirmations, raising their hands like they were in church. It was that kind of connection.

Oh—and yes, confetti. Actual confetti came down over the crowd at one point, and it was the cherry on top of a full-sensory experience that made everyone feel like part of the story.

If you’re looking for a show that’s smart, hilarious, heart-tugging, empowering, and totally electric, & Juliet is it. This is one of those rare productions that makes you feel alive. It’s only running at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts through June 15, so grab your tickets while you can. This one’s not just worth seeing—it’s worth feeling.

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own*}