We recently had the opportunity to visit the iconic Stephen Sondheim Theater on Broadway, where one of the hottest shows in New York City is currently playing - & Juliet! This jukebox musical reimagines the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet with a modern twist, asking the question, “What if Juliet didn't die” and she got to explore different possibilities for her life?

Before we saw the show, I met up with Philippe Arroyo, who plays Francois DuBois in & Juliet. Click below to watch our exclusive Behind the Curtain interview with Philippe to find out more about his Broadway debut highlights and what makes this show a must-see…

When I met Philippe outside the theater, he was all smiles. That fun and genuine personality that you see on stage is not Philippe acting, it’s just purely him! He shared that when he found out he got the role, he couldn't help but cry tears of joy. “I called my Dad immediately, who has been wanting this for me so long and he cried too!” Philippe even made a TikTok video to capture the moments when he shared the exciting news with his friends. “It was a lifetime goal that I had been trying to achieve and to be here every day, eight shows a week, is honestly a blessing.” Talk about a dream come true!

In case you aren’t familiar, with Philippe’s role in & Juliet, he plays Francois DuBois, a kind and caring man who was constantly living in the shadow of his father. His biggest struggle in the show is accepting himself for who he truly is. Through meeting characters like May and Juliet, Francois is inspired to be honest with himself and fights for his own true love and for his own self-acceptance. Philippe’s passion for his role was evident as he shared about Francois’ character journey.

Preparing for his Broadway debut was no small feat for Philippe. He admitted to feeling nervous due to the pressure of performing on Broadway, but he focused on knowing his lines inside out and letting go of any imposter syndrome. He also immersed himself in the music of Max Martin, the acclaimed songwriter whose pop hits were featured in the show. 

Philippe listened to Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, NSYNC, and Backstreet Boys to familiarize himself with the iconic songs that make up the show's jukebox musical format. “If you’re a millennial, you’re going to love this show!”, said Philippe.

Speaking of the music, Philippe shared that And Juliet was packed with an impressive number of songs, and many of them were medleys that seamlessly blended multiple iconic hits together. The orchestrations were breathtaking, adding a whole new dimension to the familiar tunes. With Bon Jovi, Katy Perry, Britney Spears, NSYNC, and Backstreet Boys in the mix, the show promised to be a nostalgic and dance-worthy experience for audiences of all ages.

According to Philippe, what sets & Juliet apart from other musicals is the unique blend of iconic songs with a modern twist on the classic Romeo and Juliet story. Philippe said this is his all-time favorite Jukebox musical. He was hesitant to call it just a jukebox musical because the book and the performances still stand without the music. 

As we wrapped up our chat, I asked Philippe what his advice was for those that are working hard to make their own Broadway debut and I was really impressed by what he had to say… Make sure to watch the video above to hear it for yourself! 

If you are headed to New York City and looking for a must-see show on Broadway, I’m here to say, & Juliet has to be on your list! With its modern twist on a classic tale, iconic pop hits, and captivating performances, it was sure to be an unforgettable experience. You can see some of my favorite highlights of my personal experience seeing the show towards the end of the video. Needless to say, we had a BLAST!

Written by Kari Lincks Coomans, Founder of Red Curtain Addict

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Click HERE to find out more about the show and to grab your tickets!

Want to see more Behind the Curtain interviews on Broadway? Click HERE!

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