& Juliet — Shakespeare Should Always Be This Fun

Juliet and ensemble. Photo borrowed from www.andjulietbroadway.com

If you have yet to experience the groundbreaking Hamilton or the enduring Wicked and are considering a Broadway musical, stop reading this and get your tickets for one of those now. However, if you're looking for the best of the rest, I'd argue & Juliet is the one to see.

What's & Juliet about?

The story is a creative twist on Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet that asks what would happen if Juliet didn't drink the poison at the end of the famously tragic tale, and instead, embarked on a journey of self-discovery told through the illustrious catalog of pop anthems by legendary Swedish songwriter/producer Max Martin. Who is he? His resume boasts what feels like every number one pop hit of the last three decades. You can sing his songs even if you don't listen to pop music. You know those earworms from artists like Backstreet Boys, Brittney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, and Katy Perry that you can't get out of your head whether you like them or not. It's hard to believe one guy had his hand in creating all of these.  

In & Juliet, each song is given a fresh interpretation. They are Broadway-fied and weaved seamlessly into the musical in a way that makes them sound original and somehow written just for the show. They fit perfectly. The best part? You already know them all, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy singing along. No straining to catch every single lyric to understand the storyline.

It's F***N’ Perfect

I used to think jukebox musicals like this one (which borrow hit songs from radio or singular artists) could be fun but never great. Mamma Mia and Rock of Ages are two of the best examples. No matter how well they are done, they are generally clunky because it's hard to fit together songs that aren't written for a specific story. But & Juliet proved my thinking wrong. 

When you add in the vibrant colors of the costumes and sets, infectious dancing, and clever writing, you have one extraordinary musical. But that's not all. & Juliet also effortlessly celebrates diversity and inclusion, which is something Broadway is actively improving but sometimes is forced in other shows. The cast is diverse in gender, race, and sexuality, and it all works naturally in the story without feeling like it's checking a box. It's inspiring, and it feels good to be a part of it. 

& Juliet has faced its share of criticism. Some say it focuses too much on female empowerment, while others think it needs more substantial conflict and doesn't offer anything new to the Broadway stage. To those I say, isn't more girl power a refreshing change? We all could use some pure joy in our lives, and wonderful is wonderful. Not everything needs to be a challenging work of art you pontificate on well after you leave.

I'm all for a musical that had me smiling so much it hurt. & Juliet did just that. It doesn't need to be more. Go get your tickets and have a night of pure fun. You can thank me later. 

Expert Seating Tip

I've seen the show twice, once from the balcony and once up close. Sitting in the orchestra is always fun, but for & Juliet, the center balcony offers some of the best seats. At the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, you enter at the top level and work your way down to the orchestra. It could be because of this setup the actors play up to the balcony instead of down to the orchestra. So save a few bucks and sit up high. 

Verdict: Go

Website: https://andjulietbroadway.com/

Address: 51 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012