Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

Contains major spoilers

The PNC Broadway Pittsburgh series brought another new classic to the Benedum courtesy of the Cultural Trust.

This girl-power feminist re-imagining of the classic tragedy left a little to be desired. In this production, Juliet does not die by suicide, awakening to a world of possibilities with a little help from her crew.

The show is fun, the music is engaging and catchy because of course it is. Kudos to choreography (Jennifer Weber) that was just stunning. The costumes (Paloma Young) were on point, the singing generally good, and the acting was fine. Check out the many, many songs crammed into this show via this cast recording from 2022.

But this felt like a musical version of the girl power and boy band songs it gently mocked. It didn’t quite stick the landing, but it was a fun evening. My true girl power highlight was a last minute rush to the ladies room during intermission – the attendants got us in and out and back to our seats. They’ve got the power.

The premise was predictable. Juliet finally has choices. So see chooses not to enter a convent, runs away to Paris, sneaks into a party, and winds up engaged to another young man. He’s in love with her queer BFF, Mae.. Her intended father-in-law happens to be in love with her nurse, Angelique. Oh, how convenient.

In the worst twist in recent history, Will Shakespeare brings a sort of zombie Romeo back from the dead. What?

The larger framework features Will Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway collaborating on this rewrite. Anne unleashes her prolific mind to give Juliet choices, all of which Will undercuts.

The ending is tidy, but a little predictable and unimaginative.

I spent a lot of time trying to identify the songs. Because I suspect that stringing together an array of contemporary pop music was the whole point. It felt a little too forced. While the nostalgia made for a fun evening, it lacked the joy and creativity a truly feminist retelling would have offered. Wherefore are thou, Indigo Girls, Brandii Carlisle, Dolly Parton, Janelle Monae, Beyonce, etc?

Least favorite plot lines include Will’s sudden husbandly love after being an ass for most of the show. Even worse was Juliet’s willingness to even consider reconciling with Romeo after learning of his numerous affairs and dalliances. It would have been better if Anne had simply accepted her fate stoically instead of a shiny new husband and Juliet kicked ZomRomeo to the curb completely.

The rest of the season:

MJ the Musical Tue, Nov 19 – Sun, Dec 1, 2024

Funny Girl Tue, Jan 7 – Sun, Jan 12, 2025

Life of Pi Tue, Jan 28 – Sun, Feb 2, 2025

Kimberly Akimbo Tue, Mar 4 – Sun, Mar 9, 2025

Peter Pan Tue, Apr 1 – Sun, Apr 6, 2025

Some Like It Hot Tue, Apr 15 – Sun, Apr 20, 2025