Ahead of ‘& Juliet’ Austin Tour, Broadway Actor Paul-Jordan Jansen Shares Insights About This Joyful Jukebox Musical

Broadway’s high-energy hit “& Juliet” arrives at Bass Concert Hall July 14–19 as part of Texas Performing Arts’ 2025–26 Broadway in Austin season. Featuring chart-topping songs by legendary songwriter and producer Max Martin — including “Since U Been Gone,” “Roar,” “…Baby One More Time” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” — the musical reimagines Shakespeare’s classic by asking: What if Juliet chose a new beginning instead of a tragic ending?

Written by “Schitt’s Creek” Emmy winner David West Read, with direction by Luke Sheppard and choreography by Emmy Award winner Jennifer Weber, the Broadway hit blends romance, comedy and pop nostalgia.

— TRIBEZA is giving a way a pair of tickets on Instagram. Enter @tribeza! —

Ahead of the Austin tour stop, TRIBEZA spoke with Paul-Jordan Jansen, who stars as Lance, about finding heart in the show’s soundtrack, bringing the musical’s father figure to life and why — even after more than 600 performances over nearly two years in this production — he continues to find delight in “& Juliet.”

TRIBEZA: You’ve performed across many different corners of the theater world. What has been the most surprising or rewarding part of stepping into a show like “& Juliet?”

Jansen: It’s just not something that was ever on my bingo card. It’s very different, especially with the genre of pop music and all these huge hits by Max Martin. I’m usually doing a lot of traditional musicals or very broody roles, so this was kind of a big left turn. But it still gives me the opportunity to communicate a very human story by playing Lance and developing his relationships throughout the show.

TRIBEZA: One of the unique things about “& Juliet” is that audiences already know so many of these songs. What’s it like watching people experience these familiar hits in a completely different context?

Jansen: I think it works so well. The most exciting part is hearing the audible reactions even as the intros start playing and people recognize the songs. With “Teenage Dream,” for example, you hear the little intro and then my counterpart sings, ‘You think I’m pretty without any makeup on,’ and people automatically are like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so pumped. I’m so excited for this.’ They kind of lock in in a different way, which is really awesome. I kind of label this show as a millennial’s dream—going and hearing your whole childhood played through. It’s awesome, and it’s what keeps people coming back multiple times, sometimes during the same week.

TRIBEZA:What do you hope audiences recognize about Lance by the end of the show?

Jansen: I think people assume that because of the way he speaks or certain situations that happen during the show, he’s very hyper-masculine and sort of your traditional dad who wants his son to have the life he’s planned for them. So much of the show is Lance learning how to get out of his own way and accept and love his son for who he is. I think that’s the biggest misunderstanding. He loves his son so much, no matter what. Audiences might initially perceive that he selfishly wants what he wants for his son, but really he just wants his son to be happy and doing whatever he’s doing. We eventually learn that throughout the show. That’s really what all parents want.

TRIBEZA: For audiences who know only Shakespeare’s original “Romeo and Juliet,” what do you hope they take away from this reimagined version?

Jansen: It’s taking the opportunity to rewrite your narrative when it becomes available to you.

If you’re a young person coming to see this show, seeing a character like Juliet is going to make you feel empowered to take life by the reins and carve your own path — even if you make some mistakes along the way — by learning from them and growing from them.

If you’re somebody who’s a bit older, maybe it also empowers you if you’re in a situation that seems a little mundane or unfulfilling to take that next leap into something that’s more challenging and potentially transformative for your life.

All that while, you’re still getting a lot of laughs through all the jokes in the script. I think it’s one of the best-written jukebox musicals as far as storytelling goes. It ties in so well with all of the songs, and everything makes sense. It’s really fun to follow.

Ultimately, you leave empowered and experiencing this huge sense of joy.

TRIBEZA: Do you have a favorite moment in the show?

Jansen: I would say my favorite part of the show is a sequence that starts with the song “Domino.” That’s really where Juliet’s journey kicks off and we get on this adventure. It’s super exciting for the main characters in the show, including Juliet. It’s what gets me going every night, so I always make sure I’m backstage to see that song.

TRIBEZA: Is there anything you’d like audiences in Austin to know before they come see “& Juliet?”

Jansen: There’s a very cool moment in the second act that I think everybody is waiting for. Ahead of all these Max Martin songs and all the work he’s done with *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys, there’s a moment where the audience gets to feel like there’s a bit of participation.

I encourage people throughout the show to participate and enjoy it. Come in with no expectations or preconceived notions. Just come in available, ready, open yourself up and have a good time.

The more open you are to just enjoy yourself, the better time you’re going to have, because it really is just a huge joy bomb.

“& Juliet” runs from July 14 – 19 at Bass Concert Hall. Tickets start at $48. Available at TexasPerformingArts.org and BroadwayinAustin.com.

RELATED: July Curated: Austin’s Top Events This Month