It is what Independent called “a gloriously silly, surprisingly poignant” jukebox musical that—using the music of Grammy-winning composer and superproducer Max Martin—envisions a world in which Shakespeare’s Juliet actually survived. Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway, insisted on a rewrite, you see.
The result is & Julietaand among its stellar cast is a talent many in Trinidad & Tobago will surely remember – former radio personality, calypso and soca singer Melanie La Barrie (née Hudson).
La Barrie originated the role of Angelique or Nurse in the West End production of & Julieta in 2019, and now makes its Broadway debut as the show — which began previews last month — prepares to open Nov. 17 at New York’s Stephen Sondheim Theatre.
or Trinidadian child star La Barrie has been in the public eye for 40 years. Her 1990 single “I’ll Always (Be There for You)”—written by calypso legend David Rudder—received heavy rotation on both radio and television, with its music video produced from Banyan.
“My first attempt on stage was at the age of eight, as a calypso. I sang Carnival music, I hung out at camps, I played in strips of fabric, glitter and glue,” she said in 2015, ahead of the premiere of Trinidad-born playwright Mustapha Matura. Play Mas at London’s Orange Tree Theatre.
“I’ve had my music played by several 100-piece steel orchestras and performed to audiences of tens of thousands, all waving flags and partying,” she recalls. “I sang for eight hours in a music truck accompanying costumed revelers. The Trinidad Carnival is in my blood, as much a part of my genetic makeup as the language.”
Her first major theater effort was in Trinidad: a staging of the play in 1998 Pure water by Trinidadian-born playwright Christopher Rodriguez. She was 24 at the time, and that’s when she realized how good she was at comedy.
“For a long time I wanted to become a serious actor, but I do comedy better. It’s more fun!” she said Official London Theatre in 2008, as she landed one of musical theater’s most prized comic roles – Madame Thénardier in Miserable.
Her life would change when London’s Oval House Theater sought to create a production of Pure water in 2000, with a mix of Trinidadian and British talent – and which she and her then-husband jumped into. It was, in fact, a rare theatrical transfer from Trinidad to London.
WHat began as a three-month stint in the UK, after the production made a permanent move to London, a place she describes as her “spiritual home” – full of rich cultural life, countless professional opportunities … and refreshing anonymity.
“You can entertain over 1,000 people every night, cheer loudly at the curtain call, then take the train home with the audience that appreciated you,” she says. “You can eavesdrop even when they are talking about you, even when you are sitting there. I’ve heard a lot of interesting things about what people think of me on the train!”
She has entertained a large number of audience members since moving to the UK, amassing an impressive array of theater credits. She has origin roles in hits like Matilda, Mary Poppins and Juliet, AND Daddy Cool (she can be heard on the original cast recordings in London for All, as well as the Broadway equivalent for & Julieta); and appeared in iconic productions on and off the West End – from Miserable AND wicked, to Fidelist on the roof, AND Ma Rainey’s Black End. She has also had television roles for a long time CALAMITY AND EastEnders series.
In some of those shows, she’s been able to draw heavily on her Caribbean roots, like playing Mama Euralie in Once on this island, a musical inspired by the novel My Love, My Love: or The Country Girl – a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s Caribbean the little mermaid, and written by Trinidadian-American author Rosa Guy.
“I rely heavily on my Caribbean ability to fuel my performance,” she said WhatsOnStage during the 2009 show. “And the beautiful thing about theater is that we can present the unknown to a wider audience.”
She has also been able to bring her West Indian roots to roles such as Mrs Corry Mary Poppinsand her current role as Angelique in & Julieta. Both characters have familiar Caribbean accents, cadences and humor.
Irresistible comic timing has become one of La Barrie’s trademarks, along with powerful vocals and commanding stage presence. And she can show everyone to full advantage & Julieta.
The score of the show features many of Max Martin’s hits – those he has worked on for stars such as Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, Bon Jovi, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, Demi Lovato, The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, Backstreet Boys and others .
La Barrie’s shining moments come with renditions of songs such as Spears’ “Oops I did it again,” Lovato’s “Confident,” Robyn’s “Show me love” and Pink’s “F—in’ Perfect”—the otherwise playful, deep and powerful.
Mwell as she did inside clean water, La Barrie now makes the move across the ocean — to a different role than she originated — as new North American opportunities await.
& Julieta completed a pre-Broadway run in Toronto last summer — picking up eight Dora Award nominations, including one for La Barrie in the category of Best Performance in a Featured Role (Angelique also earned a 2019 WhatsOnStage Awards for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical).
“While I’ve done several original West End shows, many of which transferred to Broadway, I never in my wildest imagination thought I’d one day be here,” she posted on Instagram in late August as she began rehearsals in New York. “I cried, at every step I cried. Very grateful for the opportunity. I promise to always do my best and work hard. This is the least I can do. Broadway debut, here I come!”
And it seems some New York audiences are set to fall in love with La Barrie – just like Trinbagonian, British and Canadian audiences before them.
