Reviewed by: Mary Helene Hall
Broadway’s ‘& Juliet’ brings Vestavia Hills native Nicole Lamb back to the Magic City
Reading time: 4 minutes
Broadway’s “& Juliet” is in Birmingham this week bringing pop songs, big costumes and a fresh twist on one of Shakespeare’s most famous stories.
For one cast member, however, the Birmingham stop feels a little more special.
Vestavia Hills native Nicole Lamb is touring with the hit musical and returned home to Alabama this week during the show’s run at the BJCC Concert Hall. Lamb was cast as a universal swing, meaning she can quickly pick up the role of several cast members if they are unable to perform.
“Universal swings are responsible for knowing ensemble tracks in multiple different companies of the same show. This means they know all of the blocking, dance, vocal parts etc. for all the roles they cover on Broadway, on tour, and even on select international sitdowns or tours.”
Playbill
Bham Now sat down backstage with Lamb and her fellow cast member, Kathryn Allison, to talk about growing up in local theater, their favorite songs in the show and what audiences can expect from the Broadway hit.
Keep reading to learn more about this special Birmingham connection, and get your tickets now to see this special show in person.
Nicole Lamb talks Birmingham theater roots
For Lamb, being back home feels full circle.
“I’m so happy to be home…I’m excited for my friends and family and fellow Birminghamians to come and see it.”
Nicole Lamb
She credited Birmingham’s theater community for fostering her love for performance at a young age.
“I am so grateful for Red Mountain Theatre…I started doing their theater camps and then joined their youth programs…That was such an incredible resource.”
She also highlighted Amy Murphy Studios and Acting Out Academy as important parts of her theater journey.
After spending months touring across the country, Lamb said coming back home gave her a new appreciation for Birmingham.
“Being away from home and coming back, you get a new appreciation and love for where you came from.”
What is “& Juliet”?
Created by Emmy-winning Schitt’s Creek writer David West Read, “& Juliet” flips the script on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet by exploring what would happen if Juliet got a second chance at life instead of ending her story over Romeo.
The production mixes comedy with iconic pop songs made famous by artists like Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Bon Jovi and the Backstreet Boys.
Audiences are often surprised by how funny the show actually is, Lamb said.
Kathryn Allison talks costumes
Cast member Kathryn Allison, who plays Angélique, also gave us a behind-the-scenes look at some of the show’s costumes.
The production blends Renaissance-inspired fashion with modern pop-star aesthetics throughout the musical.
“You’ll see a lot of corsets in the show. Juliet’s dress combines the modern era with this cute bubble skirt and a very fitted corset.”
Kathryn Allison
Allison also shared that one of her favorite moments in the production is performing Britney Spears’ “Oops!… I Did It Again.”
“I just never thought that I would be singing that song. I love the audience’s response when they figure out what’s about to happen.”
She first got into musical theater after her childhood friends introduced her to Broadway cast recordings.
“They made me a big CD of all of their favorite shows and the hits that were on Broadway at the time.”
The CDs included musicals like Ragtime, Little Shop of Horrors, Little Women and Aida.
“That was kind of when I discovered my love for singing.”
Catch “& Juliet” before it leaves Birmingham this weekend
Broadway’s “& Juliet” is currently running at the BJCC Concert Hall and wraps up its Birmingham run this weekend.
- When: Now through Sunday, May 24
- Thursday-Friday: 7:30PM
- Saturday: 2PM + 7:30PM
- Sunday: 1PM + 6:30PM
- Where: BJCC Concert Hall, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Birmingham
- Cost: $49+
- Get tickets now through Ticketmaster
Will you be seeing “& Juliet” while it’s in Birmingham this week? Tag us @bhamnow on Instagram and Facebook and let us know!
