Ask any cast member of Tony Award-winning director Sam Gold's production of "Romeo + Juliet" to describe the play, and they'll echo his idea that a bunch of young kids broke into Broadway's Circle in the Square Theatre and had something they needed to get off their chest. In a work renowned for its famous deaths, this production pulses with life — heralded by a vibrant and steady beat only Grammy Award-winning Bleachers frontman Jack Antonoff could provide. After just 20 short weeks, William Shakespeare's classic tragedy has taken the world — and the Internet — by storm in an adaptation tailor-made for a generation navigating a world on fire and finding their voice and power within it.
Top Reasons to See "Romeo + Juliet" on Broadway
"In fair Verona, where we lay our scene ... " Here are the top four reasons to nab tickets to "Romeo + Juliet" on Broadway.
1. The Silver Screen Princess + the Small Screen Heartthrob
Leading this troupe of wayward youths is the songbird from District 12 (and future live-action "Snow White"), Rachel Zegler, and Nick Nelson from "Heartstopper," Kit Connor. No stranger to these character character archetypes as Zegler recently took the big screen by storm as María in Steven Spielberg's adaptation of "West Side Story" and Connor has stolen hearts as Netflix's resident loverboy, these two command the stage and sell you on their star-crossed love from the minute their eyes meet. Headstrong and passionate, Zegler's Juliet feels instantly familiar and relatable — especially when she bares her heart through song just before the production breaks for intermission. Connor's lovesick Romeo, on the other hand, impresses emotionally — and physically (IYKYK)— in an emblazoned interpretation that makes you feel as if he's been freshly shot by Cupid's arrow. Seeing his hoped-for fairy tale ending crumble before his eyes is truly nothing short of heart-stopping.
2. A contemporary spin on Shakespeare
While the words the cast recite don't stray (much) from The Bard's original text, somehow this production still manages to be easily consumable for modern-day audiences. The language may be archaic but the themes and characters are extraordinarily identifiable in today's world. Less a story about two feuding households, this production puts the emphasis on the young lovers and their peers and how they attempt to survive in a world stacked against them. (Sound familiar?)
Complete with sporty streetwear, a plethora of stuffed animals, gender-blind casting (something Shakespeare himself was rather fond of) and an original pop score by one of today's most sought-after wordsmiths (we're talking the likes of Taylor, Lorde and Lana), this production trades off a story that far too often moralizes teens making foolish, impulsive decisions in favor of one that champions how youthful passion, rage and rebellion has the power to not only end life or affirm it, but change it.
3. Immersive staging (and front-of-housing)
By the sheer nature of the Circle in the Square Theatre, this production sucks the audience in and utilizes them in its storytelling. Free from the binds of a proscenium arch, not only are the aisles utilized for entrances and exits, but the cast is consistently running through the house (at one point, Connor delivered part of Romeo's famous Act II, Scene II monologue — "But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks?" — from right behind my seat!), climbing ladders, slithering through trap doors, roaming the catwalk above and even stealing chairs from audience members. What's even cooler is that before you even enter the house, the party has already started. As you head down the escalator, you're greeted by club lights, a swarm of stuffed animals and a claw machine — an extension of the performance space itself, as when you head inside to take your seat, the cast is already chilling on inflatable chairs, dancing and rolling around in shopping carts on stage. Talk about a 360-degree experience.
4. As fleeting as the inconstant moon
Almost as brief as the famed love affair itself, "Romeo + Juliet" will be taking their lives one final time on Feb. 16, 2025. Run, don't walk, to the Circle in the Square, to see it! (If you're craving more of the Great White Way's viral lovebirds, you can catch Zegler in Disney's "Snow White," coming to theaters March 21, 2025, and Connor in A24's "Warfare," coming to theaters April 11, 2025.)
Tips for Seeing "Romeo + Juliet"
Here are a few tips for seeing "Romeo + Juliet" live:
- Buy "Romeo + Juliet" tickets early for the best selection.
- Use A View From My Seat to find the seats with the best view of the stage.
- Head to the stage door after the show. Though not guaranteed for every performance, you can wait for some of the cast members to come out and sign your Playbill. (Be patient and be respectful of both the cast and your fellow audience members.)
- The play is recommended for ages 13 and up.
- This production may contain some of the following: violence, gunshots, flashing lights, sexual content, smoking, haze and adult themes.
- Head to the Stephen Sondheim Theatre to see "& Juliet" for the ultimate Shakespeare double feature.
Are you planning on seeing Romeo + Juliet on Broadway before it takes its final bow? Let us know in the comments below!
