G&T Productions have today announced the all-star New Zealand cast for & JULIET. After dazzling audiences on the West End and Broadway, the global smash-hit pop musical is set to make its explosive New Zealand debut - and the powerhouse cast has just been revealed.
Leading the cast is Kristin Paulse as Juliet, fresh from wowing audiences across Australasia in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical and RENT. Taking on the quill as the playwright, Shakespeare himself, Matu Ngaropo (Hamilton the Musical, Australia + NZ tour, The Lion King, Australian tour + Scar in The Lion King Reo Māori recording of the original Disney animation and most recently, in the Court Theatre season of the Broadway hit Something Rotten as Shakespeare himself), joined by Awhimai Fraser as Anne, known for her work on screen as the voice of Matangi in Disney’s Moana 2 (English and reo Māori), alongside her reo Māori roles as Elsa in Frozen and Dolores in Encanto, with standout stage performances such as Cinderella in Into the Woods and Edwin Drood in The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
They’re joined by powerhouse vocalists Lavina Williams (The Lion King, Hairspray and Sister Act) as Angelique, Andrew Grainger (End of Summer Time, Peter Pan, Chicago) as Lance, and Andrew Papas (Madagascar The Musical, Ten Tenors) as the hopeless romantic, Romeo. Rounding out the principal cast is Josh Johnson (Jersey Boys) as Francois, and Jared Pallesen (REVEL, Inverted Citizens and Something Rotten, Court Theatre) as May.
Presented by G&T Productions and directed by Hamish Mouat, & JULIET flips the script on the greatest love story ever told, asking: what if Juliet chose her own fate, instead of following Romeo’s?
Actor Kristin Paulse says: “I am beyond excited to be stepping into the role of Juliet. It is such an honour to come back home and perform alongside such incredible Kiwi talent as well as having the opportunity to reconnect with some old friends on stage. I can’t wait to bring this story to life for audiences across Aotearoa.”
Director Hamish Mouat adds: “To see this level of Kiwi talent come together for & Juliet is thrilling. It’s a show that’s all heart, humour, full of pop hits and absolute joy. This cast is going to blow audiences away.”
Bursting with iconic hits from legendary songwriter Max Martin, including ‘Since U Been Gone,’ ‘Roar,’ ‘…Baby One More Time,’ and ‘Can’t Stop The Feeling,’ & JULIET is a hilarious, feel-good celebration of self-discovery, empowerment and second chances.
Tickets on sale now from gntproductions.co.nz/and-juliet
AUCKLAND – THE CIVIC – 9 APRIL TO 3 MAY
