GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) \u2014 The latest show to hit the stage in Grand Rapids puts a spin on the classic Shakespeare play, \u201cRomeo & Juliet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c& Juliet\u201d the musical asks, what would happen if Juliet did not die? The show follows Juliet through her journey to control her own destiny, with twists and turns along the way.<\/p>\n
On top of that, the show features music from three different decades of hit songs from Ariana Grande, Brittany Spears, Bon Jovi, the Backstreet Boys and more. It is often referred to as a jukebox musical.<\/p>\n
& Juliet, The Great Gatsby among Broadway GR shows in 2025-2026 season <\/a><\/p>\n CJ Eldred and the company of the North American Tour of & JULIET. (Courtesy Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Fabiola Caraballo Quijada and Joseph Torres in the North American Tour of & JULIET. (Courtesy Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Fabiola Caraballo Quijada and the company of the North American Tour of & JULIET. (Courtesy Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Fabiola Caraballo Quijada in the North American Tour of & JULIET. (Courtesy Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n The company of the North American Tour of & JULIET. (Courtesy Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n On this week\u2019s \u201cBehind the Curtain,\u201d News 8 spoke with Fabiola Caraballo Quijada, who plays Juliet in the production. She said this is a great introduction for someone new to theater because you are bound to know one or more of the songs.<\/p>\n \u201cYou will be jaw dropped at the way that these songs were picked, and they are used with our characters and our dialogue,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was meant for our characters, and it was written for them.\u201d<\/p>\n Caraballo Quijada is 19 years old and was cast into this leading role right after she graduated from high school.\u00a0She also had just won the Jimmy Awards, a national high school musical theater competition. She said there are many ways she and Juliet are similar, so she is proud to play her at such a pivotal time in her career.<\/p>\n \u2018SIX\u2019 and \u2018Phantom of the Opera\u2019: Broadway Grand Rapids unveils lineup for next season <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI really love that this musical teaches you that you can change your destiny at any point in time,\u201d she said.\u00a0\u201cYou can just decide to do something differently, to carry yourself in a different way, to set your eye on a goal. \u2026 No matter who you are, I think that is just the most important message.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c& Juliet\u201d will be at DeVos Performance Hall through March 15.\u00a0Tickets can be found here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cCome see the show and have your frown turned upside down,\u201d she said. \u201cCome with a friend, come with your mom, make it a girl\u2019s night, make it a mom and daughter night,\u00a0make it a night.\u00a0It is just so, so much fun.\u201d<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/i><\/p>\n\n
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