Broadway: & Juliet

& Juliet is a punchy, two-hour pop fantasy that breathes new life into yesterday’s pop tunes—and we want it that way.

Quickly becoming the smash hit of the season, & Juliet invites the audience into a world woven together with chat-topping pop tunes, a glittery modern Shakespearean aesthetic, and a dash of girl power. The 2019 coming-of-age jukebox musical uses the music of pop songwriter Max Martin and a book by Schitt’s Creek‘s David West Read. The story is told theatrically with Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway workshopping “what if” scenarios while developing a new ending in Shakespeare’s latest play: Romeo and Juliet.

This musical is is fun and bright, and over all is a feel-good show. How could it not be, with a story backed by hits of the last two decades that make you want to get up and dance?

The aesthetic of this show is what really draws you into the world these characters live in, with a fusion of modern and Shakespearean design elements. Although the world looks like they live in a period piece, there are fun elements like a jukebox on stage, along with other props and costume elements that reflect a modern world.

I loved the show’s costume design, and I hope to see it get some recognition in the awards season. The modern twists on the Shakespearean costumes are so fun and creative, and I think this is their moment to shine. In a time where Bridgerton is very popular and we already have seen some elements of period clothing come back into style, & Juliet really blends the styles seamlessly, giving the characters a lot of personality through their costuming.

I think the modern twists on Shakespearean clothing is a really fun way to adapt the costuming for a show like this. So often we see the approach to Shakespeare using all modern clothing or a modern set, and it feels overdone.

The choreography of this show is also so fun. It incorporates elements of hip-hop and modern dance, which reflects the overall style and aesthetic of the show.

At this performance, there were several of understudies on, and I want to acknowledge their hard work. Kim Onah was on for Lady Capulet, Kate Mina Lin was on for Rosaline, Matt Raffy was on for May, Daniel J. Maldonado was on for Romeo, and Veronica Otim made her debut as Juliet. It was so incredible to be able to watch all of these performers shine.

I was so thrilled to see Betsy Wolfe as Anne. Wolfe has generated some buzz among the community for her performance, with many believing she is a front-runner for a Tony nomination. After seeing her performance, I absolutely think there’s a possibility. Her comedic timing is genius, and Wolfe plays the role with such ease it feels like watching your friend Anne/April up on stage. Wolfe gives a beautiful rendition of “That’s the Way It Is,” and a heart-wrenching “I Want it That Way.”

Stark Sands was another standout performer as William Shakespeare. I have always wanted to see Sands in something, and this was such a quirky and fun role to see him play in. He plays so well with Wolfe and comes across as a triple threat, singing, dancing, and acting his way through the drama of it all. Sands opens the show with “Larger Than Life,” immediately drawing you into this post-modern Shakespearean world and into the mind of Shakespeare himself.

Veronica Otim immediately captured hearts as Juliet. She and Wolfe played so well off each other on stage, capturing the loving dynamic between Juliet and Anne. She brought a lot of spunk to Juliet, who rambunctiously crashed a party, and her energy was so fun to watch on stage. Otim knocked every number out, but it was especially fun to see her in “Since U Been Gone,” “Confident” and “One More Try.”

& Juliet is really a fun and uplifting musical to break up a somber season. The show is a spectacle and blasts confetti into the audience, and it delivers exactly what it promises. This musical is a lot of fun and is defitnely a great pick for a girls night out or to celebrate a special occasion. It’s just a lot of fun and great if you’re looking for something a little more lighthearted and fun. It also is a great musical for those who might not be very into musical theatre or just love pop music. & Juliet definitely ranks as one of my favorites from this season, and I hope to have a chance to revisit it someday!

& Juliet premiered at the Manchester Opera House in September 2019, before transferring to the West End in November 2019. & Juliet had a pre-Broadway engagement at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto, Canada. & Juliet opened on Broadway at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, with previews on October 28, 2022, ahead of an official opening on November 17, 2022.