Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to make Broadway debut in ‘& Juliet’
3 min read
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson fulfills a childhood dream by making a one-night Broadway appearance in & Juliet this Saturday. [Getty Image]
Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, is about to achieve another personal milestone. On Saturday, she will take the stage in a one-night performance of the Broadway show & Juliet.
This unique opportunity marks a dream come true for Jackson, who had long harbored aspirations of combining her legal career with her love of the arts. Although details about Jackson’s role in the show have not been revealed, it’s known that she will appear in an ensemble position that was specially created for her. Following the 8 p.m. ET performance, Jackson will engage with the audience in a talkback session, where she will discuss her experience and share insights into her unexpected foray into theater.
This momentous occasion ties into a goal Jackson expressed in her memoir Lovely One. In the book, she recounts how, in her Harvard application essay, she wrote about her dream of being “the first Black, female Supreme Court justice to appear on a Broadway stage.” Now, decades later, Jackson is living out that dream, as the show’s announcement on Instagram celebrated. The post referred to her teenage aspiration, saying, “Let’s make that teenage dream come true, Justice Jackson.”
Jackson’s affection for the theater is well-documented. In September, she showcased her love for the performing arts during a press tour for her memoir. During an interview at the Apollo Theater with former CNN host and current CBS Mornings anchor Gayle King, Jackson even serenaded King by singing a few lines from The Wiz, a musical that has become a cultural touchstone.
Her passion for acting also extends to her time as a student at Harvard University. In a separate interview, Jackson reminisced about her days as a drama student, recalling her time performing alongside a then-unknown Matt Damon. Their scene together earned glowing reviews from their professor, who was notably less impressed with Damon’s performance. “I was like, ‘Oh my god, I was better than Matt Damon in a scene,’” Jackson recalled with a laugh during the CBS interview.
The Broadway show & Juliet presents a modern twist on Shakespeare’s classic Romeo and Juliet. The musical explores a reimagined version of the famous tragedy, asking the question: what would have happened if Juliet had not died? As described by The New York Times, the production is “super-poppy,” blending contemporary hits with a Shakespearean storyline. The show features an energetic soundtrack, including songs like Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time” and Katy Perry’s “Roar.”
Jackson’s participation in & Juliet is another step in her journey of breaking barriers, following her historic appointment to the Supreme Court in 2022. As a trailblazer in both the legal world and now on Broadway, Jackson is proving that passions can evolve and intersect in unexpected and inspiring ways.
Her involvement in the theater also serves as an important reminder of the power of following one’s dreams, no matter how far they may seem from the reality of day-to-day life. Jackson’s Broadway debut is set to be a powerful moment that blends her love of law and theater, showcasing her versatility and love for creative expression. For Jackson, the stage is another platform to reach new audiences and continue inspiring people to pursue their own passions, no matter where life leads.
Her upcoming appearance in & Juliet will undoubtedly be a memorable one, as both fans of her legal career and Broadway enthusiasts eagerly anticipate her performance. It also stands as a testament to how dreams can come true in the most surprising and delightful ways.
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