Pop Musical, & Juliet, Gives A Happy Ending to A Traditionally Tragic Tale

Austin Price, Editor in Chief

The Shakespeare classic, Romeo & Juliet, has long been heralded as a great love story. It spins a tale of star-crossed lovers, separated by the complicated politics of their families. As we all know, this angsty teen drama ends in the death of both lovers, showing an end to a youthful obsession with the idea of true love. Shakespeare often gave his protagonists a martyr like mentality, making his heroes the saviors of the stories, even when no one needed to be saved. Romeo & Juliet is a prime example of this narcissistic narrative, as both characters are crowned with an idea of selflessness, each willing to give their life for the other, and each willing to receive death with open arms. Despite this traditionally tragic tale of excessive commitment and complex hormones, Max Martin and Tim Headington brought reality to the classic story, accompanied by an iconic soundtrack, and embracing the diversity of “true love”. 

& Juliet, a pop musical, created by Max Martin and Tim Headington asks the question, “What would happen if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo?”. The idea of a rewritten love story, that proves that popularity is not always built on tragedy, was that of Max Martin, a Swedish music executive. Martin is an icon in the world of pop music, with over dozens of chart-toppers and 5 Grammy Awards to his name. Some of his most popular songs include Britney Spears’s “...Baby One More Time”, Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life”, and The Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way”. 

Martin knew he wanted to fashion his songs into a musical and had a bountiful library to pull from. With an extensive catalog of over 250 songs, Martin had more than enough material to create a bombastic musical with incredible music. With the motivation to service a musical that was a great story, rather than a random collection of songs, Martin brought on Emmy Award winner and “Schitt’s Creek” writer, David West Road. Road listened to Martin’s endless catalog of work, and after identifying a recurring theme of heartbreak and young love, decided that the most famous love story, Romeo & Juliet, needed a reboot, accompanied by Martin’s genius soundtrack. 

Once Road proposed a reinvention of an iconic classic, the production team enthusiastically agreed, and began to reinvent Martin’s award winning music, to create an energetic, powerful, and progressive musical. Rather than focusing on one, devastating ending, & Juliet exhibits a variety of love stories. These progressive narratives include the reunification of long lost lovers, the acceptance of a non-binary relationship, the realities of a struggling marriage, and the beauty in self love. The play picks up just before Shakespeare’s original story ends, with Romeo dead, and Juliet by his side. However, instead of taking her own life, Juliet decides to move on, experiencing her youth with vibrancy and independence. As she embarks on this journey, Juliet is accompanied by her closest friends and greatest mentors, including the writer of her new story, Anne Hathaway, William Shakespeare’s wife. 

The show starts with Shakespeare, played by Corey Mach, announcing to his theater troupe that he has finally decided on an ending for his play, Romeo & Juliet. His cast of performers and faithful wife Anne, played by Teal Wicks, listen as Shakespeare describes the devastating and bloody end to a whirlwind love story. Needless to say, this depressing and gorey end, not unlike most of Shakespeare’s work, was met with disdain and doubt. However, Anne proposes a different ending that isn’t so tragic, but is one of hope and discovery. In an energetic rendition of The Backstreet Boys’ hit song, “I Want It That Way”, Anne convinces Shakespeare to let her rewrite the story, and to show him that true love doesn’t have to be tragic. 

With Shakespeare’s writing quill in hand, Anne creates a cast of supporters that will join Juliet, played by Rachel Simone Webb, on her journey. This ragtag group consists of May, Juliet’s best friend played by Nick Drake, Angelique, Juliet’s nurse played by Kathryn Allison, and April, Juliet’s main girlfriend embodied by Anne, Teal Wicks. With the team assembled, April/Anne leads them to a nightclub for a wild evening of dancing, drinking, and dreaming. 

At the party, the group meets Frankie, played by Mateus Leite Cardoso, a young bachelor with an overbearing father and a kingdom to his name. While Frankie is excited to befriend the group and welcomes them into his home, his father Lance, played by Paul-Jordan Jansen, is less than enthused by the group crashing a classy evening of elegance and dancing. Angelique, Juliet’s nurse, is sent to Lance as a distraction, in which a love connection starts to form, based on a past relationship. 

As the night goes on, Juliet and her friends perform renditions of pop songs including Demi Lavato’s hit single, “Confident", and Kesha’s party anthem, “Blow”. The characters rave to the music and each member experiences a new approach to the world. Anne, under the alias of April, reconnects with her youthful, rebellious self, revisiting a life she gave away in order to marry Shakespeare. May makes a connection with Frankie, quickly falling in love and belting out a fabulous rendition of Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl”. Angelique, spends a romantic night reigniting the flame of love with Lance, a long-lost lover from her teenage years. Finally, Juliet connects with herself, finding her worth as Juliet, and breaking away from the shadow of Romeo’s death. This metamorphosis showcases a strong, independent and confident woman, who does not need a relationship as her identifier. Shakespear watches Anne’s rewrites with contempt, believing that her changes are outlandish and ruining his story. In an attempt to get things back on track, Shakespeare revives Romeo, played by Michael Canu, bringing him to life with Bon Jovi’s classic rock anthem, “It’s My Life”. 

With Romeo back in the picture, Juliet worries she will be forced to be with him, and performs a powerhouse version of Kelly Clarkson’s iconic breakup song, “Since U Been Gone,”. Despite her protests, Romeo remains adamant that he and Juliet belong together. To avoid a future with Romeo, Juliet pretends she is betrothed to Frankie, who agrees with the fantasy as it appeases his father. This leaves May heartbroken and Angelique exasperated. Anne/April watches on with sadness as her husband undermines her, yet again. 

As things go from bad to worse, Shakespeare implements himself into the play, with the desire to get Romeo and Juliet back together and end the story as he initially planned. However, the reciprocation and connection of love between the characters foils his plan. May and Frankie stand up to Lance, declaring their love for one another. Lance, now blissfully reunited with Angelique accepts both of them with open arms. Juliet agrees to give her relationship with Romeo another try, after he agrees to hold off their potential marriage until they both know what they want. Everyone is finally ready for their happily ever after, except for the writers of the story, Shakespeare and Anne. 

With Juliet’s story finished, Anne expresses her pain and resentment towards Shakespeare, who frequently took her and her love for granted, as he pursued his artistic endeavors. Anne begs for Shakespeare to show her the same amount of love as he does to his work, and Shakespeare is shocked to finally understand how much Anne was struggling. Anne explains that she rewrote the ending of Romeo & Juliet to reflect what her life could’ve been without giving up her dreams and passions for Shakespeare to support his career. Humbled by her honesty and ashamed of his selfishness, Shakespeare apologizes, and reassures Anne that she is his muse, and is greater than any story he could ever write. The lovers embrace, and showcase their dedication to one another, and to their marriage, in a reprise of the song that started it all, “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys. 

As the musical comes to an end, all characters have found love, freedom, joy, and passion. Anne’s rewrites prove that love doesn’t have to be tragic, and that true love isn’t as simple as it seems. With the entire cast reunited onstage, the final number is a celebration with singing and dancing to Justin Timberlake’s song, “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”. Through her progressive revisions, Anne introduces Shakespreare to new ways of love, and Shakespeare is reminded of his original inspiration in his beloved wife.

The Rush of A Concert

Juliet Buckley, Staff Writer and Social Media Contributor

As an eighteen-year-old girl when I look back and reflect on my life, I find music in every single area and memory. I believe that  I have adored music since I came out of the womb. There have been so many times where I cannot recall a memory until I hear a song that I liked around the time of the memory. Because of this, I have made it my mission to attend as many concerts as possible. 

There are different aspects of my concert connoisseuring. I typically think about things like who is the artist, when did I start listening to them, and who am I going to see them with. However, I have never thought too hard about it from the perspective of where I am going to sit. Maybe when I first started going to concerts I did, but very quickly I found that my favorite thing about attending is the actual music. The blaring, chest rattling, loudness of it all. I hit my peak at a concert when I can literally feel my chest vibrate from the giant speakers. It is such a rush that I can only get from a concert. It doesn’t matter how much I actually like the artist; I can feel the emotion in the bass, and it is almost enough to bring me to tears. For me, a concert is a reminder that I am alive, and that life will always go on.

Everyone I see in concert I tend to really like and have a very strong connection to their music. Earlier when I said I think about factors like “when did I start listening to them”, I mean how much does their music matter to me. As I have described, concerts are a very emotional thing for me, and I have found attending them is a healing experience. 

When I was a little girl, I adored Taylor Swift. I used to pretend I was her and recreate her music videos. However, as I got older, I didn’t necessarily listen to her as much, I was no longer intrigued by her. I had still listened to her new albums here and there but when she announced her expansive high demand tour, I knew I needed to go see her. I grew up listening to her, so many of her songs I was able to place on a moment in my life. Her music was a reminder of all the good memories I had from being little. So, I fought my way through the army of other individuals who also shared a similar connection and I bought my tickets. That concert was truly magical. It healed a piece of my inner child and was an experience that I will never forget.

Now, one of my favorite things about going to a concert are the moments leading up to the actual performance. The excitement and adrenaline run rampant throughout my body as the stage is set and it is exhilarating when the artist does finally come out. This moment of absolute perfection is giddy, even though it may later lead to “post-concert depression”, the experience after the concert high has worn off.

On September 26th, 2024, I saw Malcom Todd, Ravyn Lenae, Kevin Abstract, and Omar Apollo. These artists performed at Red Rocks Amphitheater and though I have been to a lot of different venues, it was my first time at this one. I was so  excited because I absolutely adore Omar Apollo, and have grown such a love for the opener's music as well. This concert had been in the making for quite some time. I had gone to school that day, proceeded with my routine as usual, and rushed home to get ready. I listened to Epps' music as I did my hair. 

It was finally time to head to Red Rocks. My boyfriend and I piled into the car with anticipation and expressed our excitement. The drive up to Red Rocks is breathtaking.  I adore the way the mountains look picture perfect. It is like looking at a painting and it is soul soothing. I could not have felt more grateful to be alive than I did at that moment. It is crazy to me the way I sometimes feel so defeated and exhausted with life and everything going on. But then I have moments where I feel so exhilarated and at peace. I typically find myself in these moments when I am attending a concert. 

Being in row five at Red Rocks for this concert was so surreal. Omar Epps' performance was amazing. His choreography was performed well, and you could clearly hear how strong his voice was. The visuals were ethereal and the way the concert just transformed so beautifully over two hours was so exciting to see. The scenery and the weather were absolutely perfect that night. It was warm, but not too hot. The breeze was blowing, but it wasn’t cold. It could not have been more perfect for the music and the visuals of the concert. I felt like I was on a different planet.

Hearing Omar perform songs that I have listened to the last couple of years as I have transitioned into different areas of my life is so fulfilling. I can look back at that time of my life and whether it was a good time or a bad time, I can see the music. I can feel the music. I can reminisce on how much I have grown and sit with who I am now. I know it might sound crazy how close I hold music to me and my life. But in the darkest times music speaks for me. It is a healthy way for me to decompress and track my progress in life. Going to concerts gives me a sense of hope and a reality check. It shows that life might really not be that bad. For how could it be, when such beauty is right in front of us? 

This feeling isn’t even about the artist, it is about feeling the music. It is seeing a crowd that is entirely diverse and different from one another, come together to hear music and dance and express themselves. It is about the scenery; Red Rocks could not have been more beautiful. It is about the vibration that rattles your chest. All of this is a reminder that you are alive.

Flying to See Harry Styles

By Alaina Valdespino, Staff Writer and Photographer

“After everything we as individuals... and as a collective have experienced this past year and a half, the least we can do is Treat People with Kindness.” -Harry Styles Love on Tour SA 2021

Harry Styles took the stage at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX on the eve of September 9, 2021, marking his third performance on his highly anticipated Love on Tour. For a vast majority of concert goers, me included, this tour was the first live and in-person musical experience in nearly 2 years, making it a highly anticipated event and performance. The eagerness to see an in-person concert added to the existing hype surrounding Harry Styles’ tour contributed to make this performance a night to remember. 

After nearly 2 years of patience and anticipation for the Love on Tour, Harry Styles was given the chance to perform for an audience full of people, again me included, some of whom had purchased tickets as far back as 2019. And with that, this COVID-era performance was exactly the kind of energy that people need as we dive back into a world where live music is making a comeback.

I had the privilege of going to Harry’s San Antonio performance at the AT&T Center, and I can wholeheartedly say it was an experience of a lifetime. Not only was it surreal to be flying to Texas for the sole reason of seeing this concert (after more than 2 years of anticipation), but the energy that radiated through the stadium before, during, and after the concert was completely unmatched. Never in my life have I been a part of such a collective sense of positivity. 

Harry Styles completely sold out the 20,000 seats and despite the fear of COVID in the air with the rise in Delta cases, Harry made sure to remind audience members to Treat People With Kindness and to wear their masks. In saying, “You can tell more about a person with their eyes, anyway,” Harry received a standing ovation from his masked audience, which remained for the duration of the performance. 

Diving into the concert itself, as a music minor, I feel as though I know slightly more than the average soul about things such as stage presence, performance, and overall talent; and let me just say that Harry Styles did not disappoint in any of these sectors. In fact, not only was he incredible, falsetto and all, but the talent that surrounded him on the stage matched his energy and his musical talent. Every instrumentalist and vocalist looked as though they were having the time of their life, and their positivity radiated throughout the entirety of the AT&T Center. 

Alternating between singing, guitar playing, and the occasional conversations with the audience; Harry Styles gave the audience more than just another concert, but an escape from the crazy world we live in and a glance at what life could be like if we were “to just be who we want to be and accept everyone for who they are as individuals.”

Harry Styles’ set list included a variety of songs from both his newer album “Fine Line” and his debut self-titled album “Harry Styles.” Songs such as Golden, Sign of the Times, and Grammy Award winning Watermelon Sugar were performed and accompanied by a variety of lighting and stage effects that really helped to bring the energy of each of these songs to life. Harry even included a One Direction throwback that I’m sure every Directioner in the audience was overjoyed to hear. 

Later into the concert, Harry got deep with his audience when talking about the past year and his inspiration for his tour, and went on to inspire the audience and move many to tears. Spreading the messages of love and acceptance is something that Harry Styles has been able to do in his music and his performances for years, but these messages hit close to home with this San Antonio audience. All in all, Harry performed as anyone would expect him to; full of energy, positivity, and radiating inclusivity and kindness and his audience was not only receptive of his energy, but reflected it back to him. 

Personally, I was overjoyed to have finally gotten to see Harry Styles live in concert, and the entire experience surrounding it will be something I carry with me for a long time to come. In a matter of 52 hours; I was in class in Loyola Hall, on an airplane flying to Texas, in the AT&T Center, seeing Harry Styles live, on another airplane, and finally back to my apartment feeling in complete shock and awe. So, to say that I am still on a Watermelon Sugar high is a severe understatement, and I can assure you the feelings about the experience I had won’t be Falling anytime soon.