Joey Fatone is headed back to Broadway. The singer and stage alum known as a member of NSYNC will join the Max Martin jukebox musical “& Juliet” as Lance for a limited run from Jan. 21 through March 16, 2025. Fatone will replace original cast member Paulo Szot, who will play his final performance on Jan. 19.
The pop group NSYNC, of which Fatone was one of five members, was formed in 1995. (A number of NSYNC songs penned by Martin appear in “& Juliet.”) Later on in Fatone’s career, he took to Broadway in a pair of replacement gigs, first in 2002 as Mark in “Rent” and then in 2004 as Seymour in “Little Shop of Horrors.”
“I’m excited that I’ll be joining the cast of ‘& Juliet’!,” said Fatone in a statement. “I can’t wait to get out there and sing Max Martin’s amazing songs — his hits have shaped so much of pop music. And yes, I know I’ll even be singing a couple of Backstreet Boys songs. Even though my loyalty remains with NSYNC, they still have bangers. See you at the show!”
As previously announced, five other cast members will take over lead roles in “& Juliet” in advance of Fatone’s bow. Beginning on Oct. 29, new company members will include Alison Luff as Anne, Liam Pearce as Romeo, Nathan Levy as François, Michael Iván Carrier as May and Charli D’Amelio in the ensemble role of Charmian.
Featuring a Tony Award-nominated book by David West Read and set to a soundscape of Max Martin pop songs, “& Juliet” imagines a world in which Shakespeare’s titular heroine survives, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. The production opened on Nov. 17, 2022 and was nominated for nine Tony Awards. “& Juliet” launched a national tour in Baltimore in September.
“& Juliet” is produced by Max Martin, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page, Jenny Petersson, Martin Dodd and Eva Price.
