Skylight Music Theatre presents: JULIET & ROMEO, A New Musical

By Mary Boyle

JULIET & ROMEO, A New Musical and world premiere being unveiled at Skylight Music Theatre this season dares to ask the question, “What would have happened if you gave Romeo an iphone?”  Funny, irreverent, and full of time-travel goodness, audience members can solve the debate on whether or not the ending of Shakespeare’s most famous play, in fact, has a “crap” ending.

Directed by Michael Unger and with book by Paul Gordon and music and lyrics by Paul Gordon and Curtis Moore, let me be the first to say that this flippant foray into a classic work is not for serious Shakespeare nerds.  The play opens upon the final act in Romeo & Juliet, as Juliet (Jamie Mercado) discovers Romeo (Mason Hanizeski) is dead.  Just as she’s about to plunge the happy dagger into its sheath, so to speak, Sawyer Bloom (Frankie Zabilka), the director, stops her.  Turns out that Bloom hates this play for very personal reasons, and yet “Billy Shakes” (Allie Babich) has been his imaginary friend since childhood.  Bloom tells Shakespeare the ending to his play is crap and that he could write a better one so, naturally, the Bard sends Bloom into Verona to fend for himself.  When that ends badly, Bloom thankfully finds himself back in present day New Jersey, only to have his new friends from Verona return with him.

What we want is for this play to be Something Rotten, but I’m afraid it is not that clever.  Were it not for foul language, it feels as though it should be destined for high school stages and, unfortunately, Skylight’s production nearly brought it to that level; between sound issues and set issues, it was not up to the caliber Skylight usually operates at as Milwaukee’s home for musical theatre. 

​Luckily, a strong cast and phenomenal costume design by Krissy Sneshkoff made up for what was lacking.  Jamie Mercado has an exceptional voice and truly carried the show, vocally.  I admire Skylights commitment to working with local actors – the cast was full of them, with several who have recently been seen in Shakespearean productions: George Lorimer (Benvolio) was Romeo in Romeo & Juliet this past summer at Door Shakespeare, Matthew Torkilsen (Tybalt) was in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Summit Players this past summer, and Allie Babich was in Door Shakespeare’s 2019 season.

Although not deep, compelling, or thought-provoking, this production may be the ticket for people who enjoy musicals, aren’t particularly fond of Shakespeare, and are looking for some laughs, or for someone who’s always wondered what it would be like if the inhabitants of Verona spent a day in Central Park.

JULIET & ROMEO, A New Musical, runs through February 2nd, 2025, at the Cabot Theatre, located within the the Broadway Theatre Center at 158 N. Broadway in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 414-291-7800 or by visiting www.skylightmusictheatre.org.
​
Don’t miss the rest of Skylight’s 2024-2025 season!  Take in the Midwest Premiere of FRANKENSTEIN: THE MUSICAL (February 21 – March 9, 2025), and be there for the Season Finale and Skylight Premiere of SISTER ACT  (April 4 – 27, 2025)!
 
About Skylight Music Theatre
Skylight Music Theatre is a professional theatre company that produces high-quality musical productions that entertain, educate, and inspire. We are committed to providing a platform for local talent and showcasing the best of Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1959, Skylight is Milwaukee’s professional Equity music theatre company and the state's largest employer of Wisconsin actors. Skylight produces the full range of music theatre, from blockbuster Broadway musicals to reimagined operas, and from exciting world premieres to contemporary off-Broadway hits. Skylight’s mainstage home is the Cabot Theatre in the Broadway Theatre Center, which was built by Skylight in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward in 1992. Considered to be one of Milwaukee’s most beautiful theatres, the Cabot Theatre is based on the design of an 18th-century French opera house. With just 350 seats it offers audiences great views of the action onstage and an undeniable connection with the performers. Skylight Music Theatre marks its 65th season in 2024-2025. Skylight Music Theatre is a proud Cornerstone Member of the United Performing Arts Fund.