*NSYNC's Joey Fatone Joins & Juliet on Broadway, Will Sing Backstreet Boys Songs: 'They Have Bangers'

Joey Fatone is saying “hi, hi, hi” to Broadway again.

After a 20-year absence, the *NSYNC singer and actor, 47, will return to the stage next year in the Tony-nominated musical & Juliet. He will join the production as Lance, replacing original Broadway cast member Paul Szot for a limited nine-week engagement beginning January 21, 2025 and ending March 16.

It’s a fitting project for Fatone; & Juliet features music from prolific producer and songwriter Max Martin, the man behind “I Want You Back,” “Tearin’ Up My Heart,” “It’s Gonna Be Me” and other *NSYNC hits.

As Lance, Fatone won’t be singing any of those *NSYNC songs, but he will be singing “Everybody” and “Shape of My Heart” — two songs made famous by the Backstreet Boys. There’s a bit of irony that even Fatone noted in a statement released on Tuesday, October 22, when his role was announced.

“I am excited to join the cast & Juliet!,” said Fatone. “I can’t wait to get out there and sing Max Martin’s incredible songs — his hits have shaped so much of pop music. And yes, I know I’ll even sing a few Backstreet Boys songs. Even though I’ve stayed loyal to NSYNC, they’re still doing well.”

“See you at the show!” he added.

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*NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys were rivals at the height of their fame in the late ’90s and early 2000s, but they’ve built a bond over the years.

Fatone even spent the spring traveling the country with Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean on a co-headlining tour called ‘A Legendary Night’ where they joined forces to reminisce about their time in the spotlight and together performed various hits from their bands, choreography and all.

Coincidentally, McLean, 46, was singing with the cast & Juliet. In May, he hosted a sing-along performance of the musical, surprising the crowd at the Stephen Sondheim Theater with an encore performance of “Everybody” with the Du Bois Band.

Fans may also remember seeing Fatone with the Du Bois Band. He posted with them last October, during a backstage visit & Juliet.

Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean Reveals His Favorite *NSYNC Songs To Sing On Tour — And One’s ‘Raunchy’ (Exclusive)

AJ McLean (center) performs with ‘& Juliet’ on Broadway.

Rebecca J Michelson

Joey Fatone recalls being ‘out of a job’ after *NSYNC Split and Broadway tryout: ‘I might be bad, but let’s find out’

& Juliet imagines what would happen if the title character from William Shakespeare’s classic romantic tragedy Romeo and Juliet survived and got a second chance to live and love on her own terms. The musical’s hilarious book was written by David West Read, an Emmy-winning writer from Schitt’s Creek. Martin’s other hits — including those popularized by Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Bon Jovi, Ariana Grande, Pink, Kelly Clarkson and Robyn — are included in the series score.

The show will begin its third year on Broadway on October 27 with a cast that includes Maya Bod as ‘Juliet’, Alison Luff as ‘Anne’, Drew Gehling as ‘Shakespeare’, Liam Pearce as ‘Romeo’, Michael Iván Carrier as ‘May’ and Jeannette Bayardelle ‘Angélique.’ Nathan Levy will join the company as ‘François’ on November 19th.

Gabe Amato, Daniel Assetta, Reese Britts, Nicholas Cooper, Charli D’Amelio, Jhailyn Paige Farcon, Makai Hernandez, Najah Hetsberger, Joomin Hwang, Khailah Johnson, Elsa Keefe, Alaina Ví Maderal, Daniel J. Maldonado, Alejandro MullerDahlberg, Ava Noble , Cassie Silva, Darien Van Rensalier and Romy Vuksan complete the cast.

Charli D’Amelio will make her Broadway debut in & Juliet: ‘It’s a dream I’ve had since I was a little girl’

Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick and Justin Timberlake backstage at the 2000 Grammy Awards.

Bob Riha, Jr./Getty

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This will be Fatone’s third appearance on Broadway. He made his debut in 2002, playing Marko in Leaseand two years later he went on to play Seymour in a revival Little shop of horrors.

Back in February, Fatone said Rolling Stone that he first came to Broadway ready to try new things after *NSYNC broke up that same year.

“Well, thank God [the breakup] he didn’t force me to do it [reinvent myself]. I wanted to. It wasn’t like, ‘Oh hell, I’m out of a job. What must I do?’ ” he recalled. “It was more or less, ‘Shit, this door is open. Let’s see if I can get in. Maybe I’m bad, but let’s find out.’ ”

“I’ve always wanted to do Broadway. Right after *NSYNC, I did Lease on Broadway. I am Little shop of horrors on Broadway. And then when I did Dancing with the stars, people saw my personality,” he said, referring to his stint on the ABC dance competition series in 2007. “People said, ‘Oh, he’s not just a *NSYNC guy. He is actually a person who is really acting.’ It’s been an interesting journey that I’ve had to go through, but it’s been amazing.”

Tickets for & Juliet they are on sale now.

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Source: HIS Education