Nick Drake Loves Playing Nonbinary 'Little Baby Queer' May in Touring '& Juliet'

"It's the most fun you'll have in a Broadway theater right now," wrote Variety in reviewing "& Juliet" when this improbably-conceived jukebox musical opened on Broadway two years ago. Why improbable? Because this British import takes songs by pop wunderkind Max Martin (and friends) and drops them into a take on Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" that imagines if Juliet had lived. With hit songs originated by the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Demi Lovato, Robyn, and Céline Dion, the earworms come a mile a minute in this high-energy production.

In the clever book by David West Read, Juliet doesn't stab herself with Romeo's dagger, instead becomes the heroine of a new play is imagined by the smug William Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway. She has come to London from Stratford after getting a baby-sitter to attend the premiere of her husband's new play, but hates his ending and cajoles him into writing a new version in which Juliet heads to Paris along with her bffs, April (played by Anne in a stoke of meta-casting) and the non-binary May.

In the musical's national tour, May is played by Nick Drake (they/them), a triple-threat if there ever was one. They also brings the show its heart through his relationship with Francois (Mateus Leite Cardoso), a wealthy Parisian who becomes engaged to Juliet, but falls for May after their first kiss. There isn't a more joyful moment than when they kiss for the first time and change the lyric to the Katy Perry hit "I Kissed a Girl" to "I Kissed a Boy." Or one more touching than when Francois's father, the stern and macho Lance (Paul Jordan Jansen), accepts his son's relationship with May.

EDGE spoke to the non-binary Drake, whose previous credits include "Back to the Future," "Kinky Boots," "Ain't Too Proud," and "Hadestown," about why playing the non-binary May is so important to him.

EDGE: Tell us about "& Juliet."

Nick Drake: It's a lovely story about what would happen if Juliet decided to keep going, traveled to Paris, and discovered a whole new life for herself. I'm lucky enough to play her best friend May.

EDGE: What was the draw for you to want to play May?

Nick Drake: I've been playing manly roles for most of my life, and as someone who's nonconforming, it feels so great to be seen on stage and to have such a sweet love story that is queer and celebrated. I love the show, and I especially love the music. It's music that I grew up listening to.

EDGE: How did you connect with May?

Nick Drake: I feel like May is such a little baby queer, and they're just starting on their journey. They're not in the Shakespeare catalog, but a Shakespearean character. When I was growing up in St. Louis and discovering myself, I would have loved to see a character like May. Also, I love the new-age queerness of it all, and it's fun to play someone who gets to go on such a huge journey in such a short amount of time.

EDGE: Are there any life lessons that can be learned from May?

Nick Drake: Absolutely. To be unapologetic, to be here, to be queer enough to be able to say that I deserve love, and I deserve to have a normal life as just as much as anybody else. I think everyone can learn from being unapologetically themselves and showing up for themselves daily.

EDGE: The score features iconic pop songs by pop music genius Max Martin, many of which are familiar earworms. What is your favorite song, and how do these songs fit into the story?

Nick Drake: One of my favorite songs in the show, and one that I actually haven't heard of, is "Show Me Love" by Robyn. It's a jukebox musical co-written by the amazing and talented Max Martin, and the music works so beautifully, especially how they propel the story through the music. It really does work. The song I sing is "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman" and everyone loves Britney Spears. What is so beautiful is that it fits into the show's context.

EDGE: Diversity and inclusiveness are celebrated in "& Juliet." As a queer person, what does that mean to you? 

Nick Drake: I grew up in St. Louis, a diverse and huge metropolitan city. I keep thinking about when I get to go to the Fox and I get to perform this role for the people who have seen me grow up and who have known me for so long; I think that there's somebody in the audience, at least one kid, person or adult that hasn't seen themselves on stage before and it is just so lovely to be able to perform this queer role for those people. That's why I love it so much. This role has taught me a lesson, and I can't wait to teach/show others how to be themselves truly.

EDGE: What is the most rewarding part of being in "& Juliet?"

Nick Drake: I get to the stage door and feel celebrated and validated. There's always at least one or two little non-binary babies who say to me, "You don't know how much I needed to see you do this." I would have had a different life if I had seen this role growing up. I'm so happy to live this life right now, and I'm glad to share my experiences with people discovering it for themselves.

EDGE: What would Shakespeare think of this production?

Nick Drake: I think Shakespeare loved drama. I think this show would be how he would have wanted it to end if he had changed it. He would like the show because it has so many twists and turns that you don't expect. There are so many things in the show that I'm like, "Oh my God, I keep forgetting that this will go a different way. Shakespeare would absolutely celebrate it.

EDGE: What do you hope audiences will take away from this version of Juliet's story?

Nick Drake: Follow your heart, and your lover is not the end of your life. Your lover doesn't always make your decisions, and your partner doesn't always make your decisions. I think the greatest message of it all is really simple if everyone would be commutative, but the lack of communication in the story is the funny part. Following Juliet's story will teach you to be confident in yourself and your decisions. Follow your destiny, and don't let anyone sway you from what you truly want to achieve.

EDGE: I love your Instagram @nickxdrake tagline, "Funny and Hot does exist." Tell us about it.

Nick Drake: I am on a journey of self-love and being unapologetic. I'm hilarious and hot, and I do both very well. So, why not celebrate it? I own my confidence and am unapologetic about it. I want to show the people who scroll my Instagram that it exists, and you can have both. You can be a good person and have a great personality while always looking good.

"& Juliet" continues through November 17 at the Citizen's Opera House, 539 Washington Street, Boston, MA. For ticket information follow this link.

For the full set of dates to the national tour of "& Juliet," click here.