Broadway Homecoming for Hayden Tee

Before we dive into Hayden Tee’s journey, let’s talk about & JULIET. If the name rings a bell, it might be because the show nabbed an impressive nine Tony Award nominations—including Best Musical—and made a splash as the first new musical of the 2022–2023 Broadway season to recoup its initial investment. Essentially, it’s one of the freshest hits in town.

So what exactly is it about? The premise is simple yet delightfully subversive: what if Shakespeare’s Juliet refused to meet her tragic end? Imagine a parallel universe in which she picks up the pieces and decides to live life to the fullest—complete with pop anthems courtesy of chart-topping songwriter Max Martin. From Since U Been Gone to Roar and I Want It That Way, the tunes span decades of radio hits that have become modern classics. The story’s got a cheeky sense of humour, the music is undeniably catchy, and the show has gained a fiercely loyal fan base.

Though & JULIET might be best known for its exhilarating jukebox numbers, the real treat for Aussie theatregoers (and ex-pats in New York) is the arrival of Hayden Tee. If you haven’t tracked his career yet, you might be surprised by just how varied his performances have been. Tee’s Broadway debut came in 2016 when he joined LES MISÉRABLES, stepping into the formidable role of Javert—a character known for a certain rigid intensity. Critics praised his rich baritone and the emotional nuance he brought to the part.

But before conquering the Great White Way, Tee had already racked up an array of roles in Australia and across the globe. He starred in JEKYLL & HYDE, TITANIC, and CATS, among others, showcasing a vocal versatility and stage presence that never failed to impress. For those of us who saw him in smaller Aussie venues years ago, his globe-trotting career feels like a satisfying testament to homegrown talent punching above its weight. Now, with & JULIET, Tee’s trading the grim world of 19th-century Paris for a much poppier, comedic setting. As Lance, he’ll likely show a different facet of his talent—a chance to prove he’s as adept with boy-band anthems as he is with powerful ballads.

Why this Role is Special

In & JULIET, Lance is a character who’s all about good-natured mischief, comedic charm, and the occasional surprise number. Pop star Joey Fatone (the original occupant of this role in the show’s current Broadway run) might seem an odd fit if you recall his *NSYNC days, particularly because Lance in the musical ironically sings songs made famous by the Backstreet Boys—*NSYNC’s supposed pop rivals in the late 90s and early 2000s. That little in-joke alone encapsulates the show’s playful approach to rewriting history, fiction, and pop culture all in one.

Tee steps in for a short but vital stretch—18 March to 20 April—during which audiences will get to see how he interprets Lance’s big moments, including those fan-favourite Backstreet Boys numbers. If you’re worried about losing out on star power, fear not. Anyone who’s heard Tee’s recordings or seen him live can vouch that he brings an indefinable spark to each role he inhabits. This might be a comedic part, but you can expect tinges of pathos if the script calls for it. After all, some of the best comedic turns come from actors who thoroughly understand the emotional undercurrents of their characters.

The Wider Cast

Of course, Hayden Tee and Joey Fatone aren’t the only reasons & JULIET is drawing crowds. The current Broadway line-up boasts Maya Boyd as Juliet, Alison Luff as Anne, Drew Gehling as Shakespeare, Liam Pearce as Romeo, Michael Iván Carrier as May, Jeannette Bayardelle as Angélique, and Nathan Levy as François. In addition to these leads, the ensemble is brimming with dynamic talent: names like Daniel Assetta, Reese Britts, Nicholas Cooper, Khailah Johnson, Cassie Silva, and more, each bringing their own flair to the stage.

The creative team behind the scenes is just as impressive. David West Read penned the book, while Luke Sheppard directs and Jennifer Weber oversees the choreography. Musical supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements come courtesy of Bill Sherman, with scenic design by Soutra Gilmour and costuming by Paloma Young. Altogether, these elements coalesce into a spectacle that merges Shakespearean whimsy, modern pop edge, and theatrical magic.

The Show’s Unexpected Appeal

One aspect that often surprises first-time viewers is how seamlessly these contemporary anthems meld with the narrative. Shakespeare’s original tragedy might seem like a distant cousin to pop hits like Roar, yet & JULIET manages to weave them in with surprising emotional heft. At times, a song you’ve heard a thousand times on the radio suddenly feels brand-new, contextualised by Juliet’s defiance or Lance’s comedic hijinks. There’s a giddy sort of thrill in seeing these melodic earworms repurposed in a story of second chances, personal agency, and, of course, romance.

If you want a snapshot of the show’s success, consider that it reached financial recoupment—one of the key markers of commercial triumph—earlier than many of its competitors. It also garnered a raft of Tony nominations. At a time when Broadway is clamouring for fresh concepts, & JULIET stands out as both nostalgic (thanks to beloved pop tunes) and radically original (rewriting a centuries-old classic). That delicate balance is precisely what makes it a must-see, especially now that an Australian star is about to grace its stage.

Tee’s Approach to Vocal Roles

Something I’ve gleaned from interviews with Hayden Tee is that he spends an extraordinary amount of time doing character study—even for roles that might appear, on the surface, less psychologically layered. He’s mentioned before that the key to immersing himself in musicals is to think about motivations in the same way an actor might tackle Shakespeare or Chekhov. So, yes, even if Lance is belting out I Want It That Way as part of some comedic flourish, Tee will ensure those lines come from a place of genuine emotional grounding. This commitment often means spending hours in dialect coaching, reading up on textual analyses, or even adjusting vocal quality to suit the emotional texture of a scene.

It’s a detail that’s easy to miss while you’re tapping your foot along to Max Martin’s pop hits. Yet it’s precisely that level of dedication that sets certain performers apart. Knowing that Tee approaches Lance with such depth—and that the show itself embraces comedic flair—promises an engaging clash of heartfelt sincerity and pop-culture spectacle.

As the spotlight is shining bright on Hayden Tee, and from where I’m standing, he’s about to deliver yet another memorable performance that’ll leave fans raving—and humming those infectious pop anthems—for days to come.