A dancer since the age of three when she started ballet, Bridgette Carey was immediately attracted to the dancing in & Juliet.
“It’s so much fun. It brings in a mix of different styles and genres all under the umbrella of hip hop,” says Carey, a native of Centreville and an alum of James Madison University.
Carey loves the story of & Juliet, coming to Altria Theater May 12-17.
“It’s an awesome positive story about empowerment,” she says.
The musical, created by the Emmy-winning writer from Schitt’s Creek, David West Read, asks the question, What would happen next if Juliet didn’t end her life over Romeo?
“Juliet is learning to love herself and her friendships,” Carey says. “It’s about finding your own voice and your own life, putting your happiness first and moving through life with love.”
When she went to the audition, Carey was already familiar with all of the pop anthems in the show, everything from Since U Been Gone and Roar to …Baby One More Time and Can’t Stop the Feeling!. All were written by Swedish Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Max Martin, who is behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century.
“I was really drawn to the music,” she says. “All of the songs are so catchy.”
From JMU to the National Tour
This is Carey’s first national tour. She began working professionally after graduating from James Madison University in 2023 with a degree in musical theater.
Going to JMU felt right at home immediately, she says. “When I first visited, I said this will be my home for four years,” she recalls. “I loved the landscape and the people. I felt connected to the professors and the students.”
She knows that being in the theater makes her happy. “I really enjoy bringing entertainment and creativity to people,” she says. “I like to see the excitement in their faces and knowing that they are having a good time.”
Carey has been on tour with the musical since September 2025. “It’s been amazing getting to go to all of these different places in the U.S. and Canada,” she says. “I have learned a lot from my castmates. Everybody comes from a different background. It’s been amazing to work with so many different people.”
The musical keeps Carey busy. She plays two roles — Eleanor in the first act and Benvolio in the second act. If that was not enough, she also understudies the role of Juliet.
Eleanor, who is one of Shakespeare’s players, is driven. “She has a bit of grit to her,” she says, noting that the character goes back and forth between Romeo and Juliet. “She is grounded. She’s been with the company for a while. She feels comfortable trying different things.”
In the second act, Carey switches roles and genders when she plays Benvolio, Romeo’s best friend.
“He is the broiest bro,” she says with a laugh. “It’s really fun. Typically, we have a female playing the role.”
In different situations, Benvolio has to bring bad news to Romeo and soften the blow in the process. “He has Romeo’s back and he hypes him up. That’s is really fun to play with,” she says.
Carey has fun tapping into a different side of herself. “I am exploring the lines of masculinity and femininity,” she says. “It’s great to play around with it. I love both of these characters equally.”
A Show Full of Joy
One of her favorite moments in the show is the song Show Me Love in the first act.
“It’s essentially when Juliet decides to leave Verona and go to Paris with friends,” she says. “There is so much excitement surrounding it. She’s asking to show me the love and show me how to live. That’s what it’s all around. It’s a way of expressing that she is ready for a new adventure.”
Carey is happy to bring what she learned at JMU to the big stage. And that is positivity.
“You have to bring your best self forward. That is so important,” she says. “At the end of the day, it’s about sharing art with each other on stage and connecting with cast members as well as the audience. That is something I brought with me as background knowledge from JMU.”
She hopes the audience will take away one very special message — “to find your own voice and let your voice be heard,” she says.
The musical is for everyone, she adds.
“It’s so much fun. You will leave dancing out of your seat and all the way home.”
Additional show information and tickets can be found at BroadwayInRichmond.com. The show is recommended for ages 8 and up. For those with sensitivities to noise and bright lights, this production includes flashing/strobe lighting, loud noises, confetti cannons and pyrotechnics throughout.
