Willemijn Verkaik & More Will Lead & JULIET in Germany

Stage Entertainment has announced the cast of & JULIET in Hamburg. For this translated production, the title has been renamed to & JULIA, to be consistent with the German translation of the Shakespeare play which inspired the musical.

Leading the cast is the talented Chiara Fuhrmann, who will play the title role of Julia. This marks a significant milestone for Fuhrmann, a native of Osnabrück, as she steps into this lead role for the first time.

Joining Fuhrmann are renowned musical theater actors Raphael Groß, Andreas Bongard, and Willemijn Verkaik. They will bring to life the characters of Romeo, William Shakespeare, and Anne Hathaway respectively. Verkaik joins the company fresh off her run as Elsa in the German production of Frozen, a character she also voiced in the German dub of the original film.

Advance tickets can be purchased at www.musicals.de.

& JULIA offers a refreshing twist on Shakespeare's classic tale. Anne Hathaway, portrayed by Broadway sensation Willemijn Verkaik, challenges the tragic conclusion of Romeo and Juliet by reimagining Juliet's fate, transforming a sorrowful ending into a vibrant, comedic beginning where 16th century meets pop culture. "It's a joy to play such a happy, confident character who brings humor to everything she does. The musical is truly a celebration," says Verkaik.

Andreas Bongard, embodying Shakespeare himself, finds the musical's contemporary themes particularly compelling. "The show addresses critical issues such as gender fluidity and women's roles, wrapped in the lively music of Max Martin that resonates across generations," Bongard explains.

Raphael Groß, who plays Romeo, adds, "The story is a celebration of life and the courage to start anew. It's about giving Romeo—and everyone—a second chance to embrace life and love."

Rehearsals for the German production of & JULIA are set to begin in early September, with additional casting announcements to follow.

Photo Credit: Willemijn Verkaik (Anne Hathaway), Chiara Fuhrmann (Julia), Raphael Groß (Romeo) and Andreas Bongard (William Shakespeare) / Morris Mac Matzen