Vanessa Sears takes another run at Shakepeare's Juliet in jukebox musical '& Juliet'
TORONTO - Canadian stage actress Vanessa Sears is resurrecting her role as hopeless romantic Juliet Capulet, with a playful pop music twist.
Mirvish Productions says the Deep River, Ont., native leads the all-Canadian cast of jukebox musical '& Juliet,' which returns to Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre later this year.
Sears is deeply familiar with William Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers. She played Juliet in the Stratford Festival's 2024 production of the dramatic love story.
'& Juliet' will have her portray a more comedic version of the character. The musical imagines what might've happened if Romeo and Juliet had gone their separate ways.
The book was penned by Toronto playwright David West Read and propelled by the pop hits of Swedish producer Max Martin, including tracks 'Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely,' 'Since U Been Gone' and 'Roar.'
'& Juliet' has a limited run from Dec. 3, 2025 to March 22, 2026. Tickets are already on sale through the Mirvish website.
Sears is a familiar face in Mirvish productions, having previously starred in their 2015 production of 'Kinky Boots' and is set to appear in 'Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812' this summer.
Other Canadians in the new '& Juliet' cast include David Silvestri, who starred in 'Come From Away;' Julia McLellan, who had parts in 'Kinky Boots' and 'Six;' and Stratford and Shaw Festival veteran George Krissa.
The musical made its North American premiere in July 2022, leading to a successful Broadway run later that year as theatre productions gradually resumed after COVID-19 closures.
'The cast consists of artists we know and love from past productions,' said theatre producers David and Hannah Mirvish in a joint statement.
'Others we've been following on stages around the city and beyond, and some exciting new talent (will make) their professional debuts.'
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2025.
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