On February 11, 2026, students from the Honors Program at the University of Tampa attended a performance of & Juliet at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. The trip gave students the opportunity to experience live theater so close to campus.
Unlike a traditional adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, & Juliet begins where Shakespeare’s original play ends. The musical opens with William Shakespeare writing the tragic ending, only for his wife, Anne Hathaway, to interrupt and challenge the fate he has given Juliet. Dissatisfied with the lovers’ deaths, Anne proposes a completely new storyline, and the audience watches the revised story unfold as she and Shakespeare humorously argue over what should happen next.
In this reimagined version, Juliet chooses not to end her life after Romeo’s death. Instead, she sets off on a journey beyond Verona with friends from the original play, along with several new characters introduced in the musical. Their travels take them to Paris, where Juliet experiences new friendships, parties, and possibilities that expand her world far beyond what she once knew. Honors hosts many fun events just like this throughout the year, giving students opportunities to explore the arts, attend cultural events, and experience learning outside of the classroom.
