Kathryn Allison Interview

A classic tale takes an unexpected turn in a modern twist and is all set to a contemporary pop soundtrack–

That’s the general premise of “& Juliet”, coming to Kansas City’s Music Hall on Tuesday and running through the weekend as part of the American Theatre Guild’s PNC Broadway season. Tickets are available here: & Juliet | Kansas City Broadway Series

Created by the Emmy Award®-winning writer/exec producer of “Schitt’s Creek,” David West Read, this funny musical flips the script and asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo and instead, forged her own empowered way, all set to a hit-after-hit pop soundtrack of songs from the creative mind of Swedish songwriter/producer Max Martin.

Ahead of the KC engagement, we spent a little time talking to Kathryn Allison, who returns in the role of Angelique, Juliet’s nurse and confidant. As or more impressive than her role and the production itself. Allison got her own Broadway start after receiving a BA in Musical Theatre from Ithaca College, in “Aladdin”, followed by the smash Tony Award-winning revival of “Company” and then “Wicked”, which is all remarkable in itself.

Her debut solo album, Something Real was released in February 2019, produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Dominic Fallacaro, who she again networked with to join this Broadway touring production of “& Juliet.” Allison also revealed she’s been working on some new music, with a goal to release another album of mostly original songs, recorded live in the studio, with the lyrical content of each track, taking highest priority.

But, before any of that, she’s committed to this current sixth worldwide run of “& Juliet”, which goes until at least next September in North America, with a Year Three already being discussed. She and fellow actor Paul-Jordan Jansen (playing fatherly character, “Lance”) have returned for a second year in their respective principal roles, so look for a confident and strong performance from both in particular. Allison mentioned how much she respects Jansen as a scene partner, and that their stage relationship is strong and keeps evolving, even after these dozens of live performances.

In William Shakespeare’s familiar “Romeo and Juliet,” Juliet elects death after she and Romeo can’t be together, but “& Juliet” re-imagines a “new beginning” and what would have happened if a more independent Juliet did things “her way,” according to Allison.

As far as the soundtrack. Allison notes that she “grew up with, and was connected to the songs”, confirming that the first album bought with her money was an early album from P!nk, one of the many artists that Max Martin has collaborated with, for chart-topping hits. She also noted the soundtrack songs were “their own thing”, carefully chosen to enhance the story and carry forward the plot, instead of simply being randomly inserted for no logical purpose.

When asked if Martin had actually attended the touring production, Allison revealed that he did; not once, but twice in Los Angeles. The first time was a complete surprise to the cast and crew, and the second time more celebratory and rewarding (we just missed the tribute display for Martin and the production at the Grammy Museum in LA, which just wrapped October 27).

Allison remarked that the production is “never the same”- always transforming and refining in the details, with the dozens of featured pop songs meaning something slightly different, depending on the audience’s reactions and enthusiasm, which she mentioned as being a fun nightly challenge.

When asked for three words to describe the production, Allison thought a moment and returned with “Freeing”, “Authentic” and “Funny,” which seems to encapsulate the themes of the production and its tone being reflected by the cast performances – if that doesn’t sound like a refreshing and fun theater evening out, we’re not sure what does.

“& Juliet” is at The Music Hall in downtown Kansas City from November 18-23, with tickets available here, and look for our opening night coverage, shortly following.

& JULIET TOUR DATES

NOV 18 – 23 Kansas City, MO Music Hall
NOV 25 – 30 Memphis, TN Orpheum Theatre
DEC 3 – 7 Norfolk, VA Chrysler Hall
DEC 9 – 14 Rochester, NY RBTL Auditorium
DEC 16 – 21 Toledo, OH Stranahan Theater
DEC 30 – JAN 4 Miami, FL Adrienne Arsht Center
JAN 6 – 11 Orlando, FL Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
JAN 13 – 25 Fort Lauderdale, FL Broward Center
JAN 27 – FEB 1 Naples, FL Hayes Hall
FEB 3 – 8 Fort Myers, FL Mann Performing Arts Hall
FEB 10 – 15 Tampa, FL Straz Center
FEB 17 – 22 N. Charleston, SC N. Charleston PAC
FEB 24 – MAR 1 Huntsville, AL Von Braun PAC
MAR 3 – 8 Omaha, NE Orpheum Theater
MAR 10 – 15 Grand Rapids, MI Devos Perf. Hall
MAR 17 – 22 Montreal, QC Place Des Arts
MAR 24 – 29 Ottawa, ON Southam Hall
MAR 31 – APR 12 Detroit, MI Fisher Theatre
APR 14 – 19 Hershey, PA Hershey Theatre
APR 21 – 26 Syracuse, NY Landmark Theatre
APR 28 – MAY 3 Schenectady, NY Proctors
MAY 5 – 10 Hartford, CT The Bushnell
MAY 12 – 17 Richmond, VA Altria Theater
MAY 19 – 24 BIRMINGHAM, AL BJCC Concert Hall
MAY 26 – 31 Fayetteville, AR Walton Arts Center
JUN 2 – 7 Appleton, WI Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
JUN 9 – 14 Milwaukee, WI Marcus Performing Arts Center
JUN 16 – 21 Indianapolis, IN Clowes Memorial Hall
JUN 23 – 28 East Lansing, MI Wharton Center
JUL 7 – 12 San Antonio, TX The Majestic Theatre
JUL 14 – 19 Austin, TX Bass Hall
JUL 22 – AUG 2 Chicago, IL Auditorium Theatre
AUG 4 – 9 Knoxville, TN Tennessee Theatre
AUG 11 – 16 Charlotte, NC Belk Theatre

National / International act coming through the Midwest / Kansas City area? Please email details to johnc@weheartmusic.com with a good lead time to be considered for Show Preview and Show Coverage consideration.