What if Juliet’s story didn’t end in tragedy? In the Broadway show & Juliet, Juliet ditches her famous ending and gets a pop soundtrack, a second chance, and a surprising connection to Vestavia instead. The only thing tragic would be missing it. We got the insider’s scoop into the musical with Vestavia Hills-native Nicole Lamb, a vacation swing for the company. (Aka she can play anyone in the ensemble or Shakespeare’s wife, Anne, at the drop of a hat!)
The musical is coming to the BJCC Concert Hall with eight performances Tuesday, May 19 through Sunday, May 24. Created by David West Read, the Emmy®-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. Plus, keep an eye out for Nicole Lamb—you never know what role she might be playing!
When Is & Juliet in Birmingham?
- BJCC Concert Hall (2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., Birmingham)
- May 19–24, 2026
Performance Dates:
- Tuesday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, May 23 at 2 & 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, May 24 at 1 & 6:30 p.m.
What Is & Juliet About? (Why It’s Different)
The Broadway show opened on Broadway in 2022, and it’s been a hit ever since, selling out and breaking box office records. & Juliet is a contemporary and reimagined take on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet that begs the question: What would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? It begins with Juliet breaking free of the balcony scene, and it follows her on an empowering romantic (and hilarious) journey that proves there’s life after Romeo. “It’s empowering, filled with joy and love, and there’s something for everyone,” Lamb declares.
Is it fun and silly? Absolutely! But there’s also a loI more to it than that, according to Lamb. “There’s a lot of glitter and confetti, but there’s also heart, and that’s beautiful to be part of,” she says. “People are touched and moved by the story. People can see themselves as Juliet or a younger person finding their voice and learning to choose themselves. They can see themselves in Anne, a wife and mother who is having a night out… and everyone in between.”
Is & Juliet Appropriate for Kids?
Yes! This Broadway production is fun for all ages. The recommended age is 8+. Kids will love watching Juliet fly through the air, listening to the upbeat, iconic pop songs, and laughing at the funny, silly script.
What Songs Are in & Juliet? (Pop Hits You’ll Recognize)
Juliet’s new story is filled with reimagined pop anthems you know and love, ranging all the way from the ‘90s to modern-day pop. “& Juliet is a millennial’s dream but for all generations,” Lamb shares. Grammy Award-winner Max Martin—the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century—wrote the lyrics and pulled songs from NYSNC, Ariana Grande, Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, and more.
The Broadway production features “Since U Been Gone,” “Larger Than Life,” “…Baby One More Time,” “I Want It That Way,” “It’s Gonna Be Me,” “Roar,” “It’s My Life,” and “That’s The Way It Is,” just to name a few. Lamb shares that her favorite number is called “It’s My Life”: “When I’m in the ensemble, it is totally my favorite to perform and [to see] the audience’s reactions.”
Meet Nicole Lamb: The Vestavia Native in & Juliet
“I’m Vestavia born and raised,” Lamb explains. “I went to Central—when it used to exist—and went to Vestavia High for high school.” She has high praises for her hometown: “I loved growing up in Vestavia; it’s a great community.”
How a Vestavia Performer Made It to Broadway
Lamb started off taking dance lessons at Jackie O’Neal’s and joined the school dance team in middle and part of high school. She even joined the school choir—and of course she participated in the middle school plays. “Each helped hone some of my craft,” she recalls. “I’m super thankful for those resources.” It was when she branched out and started doing theatre outside of Vestavia that things really started to take off, however.
At age 9, she was cast in a production of Annie with Red Mountain Theatre (then called Summer Fest Theatre) and it was that experience that sealed the deal for little Nicole. “I remember being in rehearsal and thinking to myself, ‘I want to do this forever,’” she shares with a laugh. She got connected to the Amy Murphy studio in Mountain Brook, started singing and acting classes at Red Mountain Theatre, and even got connected to her manager, who she still uses to this day. “I tell people all the time, we have such incredible resources in Birmingham. It’s the magic city, there’s something there,” Lamb says.
Why & Juliet Is a Must-See Broadway Show in Birmingham
“I think our show is so funny and witty,” Lamb states. “It was written by the author of ‘Schitt’s Creek.’” She knows that people often think of the music when they think of & Juliet since it’s filled with huge pop songs, but Lamb sticks by the fact that “it’s so funny.” “People walk away saying they didn’t realize it was so funny,” she shares. One second there’s a heart-wrenching ballad, and the next you’re laughing at Shakespeare and Anne. Plus, “it just has everything.” All the emotions and So. Much. Talent. “The music is incredible and the vocals are crazy,” Lamb explains. “This is a really hard musical for actors to do… Juliet is an Elphaba-level difficulty.” She’s flying in the sky, she’s singing, and she’s acting. And for all of the English buffs, there are so many puns.
Behind the Scenes With Nicole Lamb (Fun Facts + Interview Highlights)
My role: I’m a vacation swing for & Juliet. I go back between the show on Broadway and the show that’s touring. I cover and can go on for anyone in the ensemble and Anne, Shakespeare’s wife.
Coming back home: I’m so glad I get to be at the show and do the show at the BJCC where I grew up going to see shows and friends’ dance competitions. It’s super surreal that 9-year-old me went to see shows, and now I’m in the show.
Most challenging part of the show: Being a swing is challenging. I could go on for anyone at any moment. But that’s exciting too. You have to keep all these parts fresh in your brain. Sometimes I will go on for a role I haven’t done ever, or haven’t done in a few months. It’s been a challenge, but one I welcome and I’m super grateful for.
On a typical show day: I try to move my body before the show. It’s good for the body, it’s good for the voice. And I drink a ton of water [because] we don’t stop moving [in the show]. I’ll do vocal warm ups, physical warm ups, makeup, wig prep, I’ll look over notes and tracking sheets, an archival video, and I will have eaten something at some point.
Behind the scenes: Everyone is so silly. We just have a good time backstage. We just make sure to keep encouraging each other and goof off.
A special memory for me is when: I made my Anne debut on stage and I found out I was going on 30 minutes before the show. All of the people in my dressing room started screaming and jumping up and down. They were so excited for me and so happy, and that just meant the world to me. I felt so supported and encouraged by the company.
My best advice to kids wanting to perform would be: Don’t give up. It’s so easy to. Keep practicing, as lame as that sounds. (I can see everyone rolling their eyes!) Keep going to dance lessons, voice lessons, acting lessons, and keep believing you can do it. You might have moments where you think you can’t, but I’m telling you you can. It might take longer than you expect, but it will happen. Surround yourself with people who believe in you because you’ll need them on the days when you don’t believe in yourself.
How to Get Tickets to & Juliet in Birmingham
Tickets start at $59 and are available for purchase at americantheatreguild.com, BJCC.org, and Ticketmaster.com. Tickets are expected to sell quickly, so buy now! Be sure to check out other Broadway in Birmingham shows coming up!
