A sitting Supreme Court Justice took an unexpected detour from the bench to the bright lights of Broadway.
According to Fox News, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson made history as the first Supreme Court justice to perform on Broadway, appearing as Queen Mab in the musical "& Juliet" at New York's Stephen Sondheim Theatre on Saturday night.
The performance was part of Jackson's lifelong dream, as stated by the "& Juliet" marketing team, who celebrated her achievement as the first Black female Supreme Court justice to grace a Broadway stage.
Jackson appeared in costume, wearing jeans and a blue ensemble complete with a corset and flowery hat, delivering lines about female empowerment and performing a Backstreet Boys song.
The justice's theatrical debut sparked diverse reactions across social media platforms. Conservative influencers and commentators expressed strong criticism of her participation in the production, which is described as a modern, queer interpretation of Shakespeare's classic play.
Conservative influencer Arynne Wexler shared her thoughts on X, stating:
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson not only appeared in a Broadway show The show is a 'queer musical knockoff' of Romeo and Juliet. Of course Max cringe, max DEI.
Some supporters defended Jackson's participation, including former New York Congressman George Santos, who praised the performance for humanizing the judicial branch. Former Kamala Harris campaign writer Victor Shi offered additional support:
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson performed on Broadway, while some of her Republican colleagues would've spent this time flying with billionaires. So cool. So refreshing. Justice Jackson is the best.
The musical "& Juliet," written by David West Read, reimagines Shakespeare's tragic tale by exploring an alternative narrative where Juliet chooses life instead of suicide. The production features contemporary elements, including a nonbinary character named May who serves as Juliet's best friend.
The performance brought together an eclectic cast, including TikTok celebrity Charli D'Amelio and established Broadway performers. Jackson's character delivered contemporary dialogue and performed popular music, including the Backstreet Boys' hit "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely."
Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk contributed to the ongoing discussion with a humorous suggestion that Jackson should incorporate musical elements into her Supreme Court duties. The comment added to the widespread social media discourse surrounding her theatrical appearance.
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, appointed by President Biden in 2022, made history with her unprecedented Broadway appearance at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. The performance marked a significant departure from traditional Supreme Court justice public appearances.
The event highlighted the intersection of America's highest court and popular culture, generating substantial discussion about the appropriateness of a Supreme Court justice participating in contemporary theater.
Jackson's performance as Queen Mab in "& Juliet" created a unique moment in both judicial and theatrical history, sparking debates about the evolving role of Supreme Court justices in public life.
