The Denver-bound Broadway musical & Juliet wholly reimagines William Shakespeare’s timeless story of star-crossed lovers to consider…what would have happened if Juliet hadn’t met a tragic end. Helping her along on this journey of reawakening and self-discovery is a cast of characters — both familiar and new. Here’s the who’s who of these “mere players.”

PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS

JULIET
In & Juliet: Our title character is a bold and independent young woman who chooses to rewrite her own story after Romeo’s death, traveling to Paris to discover herself.
In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet: Juliet was the tragic heroine who dies by suicide after finding Romeo dead.

Rachel Simone Webb as Juliet and the company of the North American Tour of & JULIET. Photo by Matthew Murphy

ROMEO
In & Juliet: Romeo is Juliet’s dramatic ex-lover who returns unexpectedly, still full of charm and chaos.
In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet: Romeo is the passionate young Montague who dies by poison, believing Juliet to be dead.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
In & Juliet: The Bard himself is a central character and narrator who battles with his wife over how Juliet’s story should end.
Historically: William Shakespeare was the real-life playwright who authored Romeo and Juliet among many other masterpieces. He was an exceptionally skilled dramatist whose profound understanding of language, character, and the human condition has secured his place as a touchstone of theatrical and literary excellence.

ANNE HATHAWAY
In & Juliet: Anne Hathaway is Shakespeare’s witty and assertive wife who co-authors Juliet’s new story and inserts herself into the narrative.
Historically: Anne Hathaway was not a character in Shakespeare’s plays but was his actual wife, reimagined in & Juliet as a creative collaborator.

Teal Wicks as Anne Hathaway and Corey Mach as Shakespeare in the North American Tour of & JULIET. Photo by Matthew Murphy

ANGELIQUE
In & Juliet: Angelique is Juliet’s nurse and confidante, who seeks her own freedom and rekindles an old romance.
In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet: Based on an unnamed character in Romeo and Juliet, “Nurse” a comic and caring maternal figure.

FRANCOIS
In & Juliet: Francois is a shy Frenchman pressured to marry or join the military, who finds unexpected love and self-discovery. He is an original character in & Juliet who is not found in Shakespeare’s works.

LANCE
In & Juliet: Lance is Francois’s strict but secretly sentimental father and Angelique’s former lover. He is an original character created for the musical.

MAY
In & Juliet: May is Juliet’s non-binary best friend who explores identity and love on their own terms. May is an original character not based on any specific Shakespearean figure. Shakespeare’s plays challenge the gender binary so often that it almost ceases to exist. That’s one reason the character May is such a natural fit in the world of & Juliet, which explores a new story about what happens if Juliet survives her famous tragedy. There’s room in this show for people as spectacular as May, just like there’s room in Shakespeare’s plays and in the rest of the world.

Kathryn Allison as Angelique in the North American Tour of & JULIET. Photo by Matthew Murphy

SUPPORTING CHARACTERS

In & Juliet there are a host of supporting roles whose names are pulled from a variety of Shakespeare’s other works and his personal life.

From Shakespeare’s Life

JUDITH
Judith Shakespeare was William Shakespeare’s younger daughter, known for her quiet life in Stratford-upon-Avon and her marriage to vintner Thomas Quiney, which caused some family tension due to legal complications. In & Juliet, Judith is an ensemble character and a member of Shakespeare’s acting troupe. She’s portrayed as a lively, drama-loving fan of Shakespeare who often welcomes the audience into the story with warmth and humor — sometimes even with a cup of tea in hand.

Mateus Leite Cardoso as Francois and Nick Drake as May in the North American Tour of & JULIET. Photo by Matthew Murphy

LUCY
Lucy is sometimes speculated to be the “Dark Lady” of Shakespeare’s sonnets — an enigmatic and possibly real woman who inspired some of his most passionate and conflicted poetry, though her true identity remains unknown. In & Juliet, Lucy is an ensemble character who is part of Shakespeare’s Company of Players. She’s described as a vibrant, energetic presence who “loves a good groove,” speaks her mind, and brings joy and humor to the stage.

From Shakespeare’s Acting Companies (Lord Chamberlain’s Men & The King’s Men)

RICHARD BURBAGE
Richard Burbage was the most famous actor of Shakespeare’s time and originated many of the playwright’s most iconic roles, including Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Richard III. He was also a co-owner of the Globe and Blackfriars theatres. In & Juliet, Richard is a comedic ensemble character and part of Shakespeare’s acting troupe. He’s described as Shakespeare’s “no.1 hype man,” full of energy and spirit, often seen in flamboyant outfits.

Michael Canu as Romeo and the company of the North American Tour of & JULIET. Photo by Matthew Murphy

AUGUSTINE PHILLIPS
Augustine Phillips was a long-standing member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men and later the King’s Men who was known for his reliability. In the musical, Augustine is an ensemble character and member of Shakespeare’s Company of Players. He’s portrayed as the most mischievous and acrobatic of the troupe — “always flipping around on stage” and often at the center of any onstage antics.

LAWRENCE FLETCHER
Lawrence Fletcher was an actor and playwright with the Lord Chamberlain’s Men and was, in fact, named first in the 1603 royal patent that established the King’s Men, suggesting he held a position of prominence or favor. He succeeded as principal writer of the company following Shakespeare’s death. In & Juliet, Lawrence is a member of Shakespeare’s Company of Players who is portrayed with a quirky, slightly nervous energy — described by cast members as having a “bite” beneath his stylish exterior, complete with a beret and choker.

WILLIAM SLY
William Sly was a member of both the Lord Chamberlain’s Men and the King’s Men acting companies. He was also a shareholder in the Blackfriars Theatre. He’s a member of Shakespeare’s Company of Players in & Juliet and is described as cheeky and spirited, often bringing humor and flair to the stage, but with a bit of an edge — “don’t get on his bad side!”

Corey Mach as Shakespeare and the company of the North American Tour of & JULIET. Photo by Matthew Murphy

WILLIAM KEMPE
William Kempe was one of the original members of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men and known for his clown roles, such as Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing and Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In & Juliet, Kempe is an ensemble character and a member of Shakespeare’s Company of Players. He’s portrayed as the “happy-go-lucky player who never backs down from a dance-off,” bringing high energy, humor, and acrobatic flair to the stage.

From Shakespeare’s Plays

NELL
Nell is named after Mistress Nell Quickly, a comic character from Shakespeare’s Henry IV plays and The Merry Wives of Windsor. In & Juliet, she is an ensemble character and a member of Shakespeare’s Company of Players who is said to be “sassy, sexy, boujee, and a little bit bossy.”

GREGORY
Gregory is a servant of the Capulet family in Romeo and Juliet. He is quick-witted and quarrelsome, helping to spark the street brawl that sets the tone for the play’s feuding families. In & Juliet, Gregory’s character changes from instigator to a comedic ensemble character often involved in humorous moments and supporting the framing of the story.

The company of the North American Tour of & JULIET. Photo by Matthew Murphy

IMOGEN
From Cymbeline comes the virtuous and resilient daughter of King Cymbeline, Imogen, who disguises herself as a boy and endures betrayal, exile, and danger in a tale of mistaken identity and ultimate reconciliation. In & Juliet, Imogen is an ensemble character who is portrayed as a lively member of Shakespeare’s company who is “feisty, passionate, and loves to dance her socks off,” bringing high energy and flair to the stage.

VIOLA
Shipwrecked and resourceful, Twelfth Night’s Viola disguises herself as a man named Cesario, leading to a web of romantic confusion and witty banter in one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies. In & Juliet, Viola contributes to the ensemble performances, helping bring the show’s vibrant musical numbers and scenes to life. Her character is described as fun, feisty, and full of sass and joy, often portrayed with a bold personality and style — like wearing cheetah print.

MARGARET
Queen Margaret (Henry VI Parts 1–3, Richard III) is a fierce and commanding figure, evolving from a young bride to a vengeful widow and is one of Shakespeare’s most powerful female characters in the history plays. She is portrayed as very young and bright though a bit spacey in & Juliet.

DETAILS
& Juliet
June 4-15, 2025 • Buell Theatre
Tickets