To be, or not to be, at a Shakespearean adaptation on Broadway: That is the question.
Romeo + Juliet and & Juliet, two recently developed shows based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, flourish in the theater world.
Like the 1996 film Romeo + Juliet, starring dreamboat Leonardo DiCaprio and belle-of-the-ball Claire Danes, Romeo + Juliet on Broadway lures audiences with its fresh vision and enchanting performances.
This can be seen in its original music and use of the authentic play script, but with the free use of language presentation. Its original music adds to the character development by selecting certain characters for specific lyrics and/or sections.
For instance, Rachel Zegler, who plays Juliet, sings Jack Antonoff’s song “Man of the House.” The lyrics cleverly enhance Juliet’s character as they highlight her struggle to escape her father’s control, further enhancing her personality shift from an obedient daughter to a rebel in love. The actors bring raw, unfiltered energy, as Mercutio steals the stage with wit and humor, and Romeo and Juliet express true love.
The cast of Romeo + Juliet on Broadway consists of Rachel Zegler as Juliet and Kit Connor as Romeo.
Rachel Zegler’s career as an American actress and singer took off when she played Maria in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 movie adaptation of West Side Story, first establishing her connection to Shakespeare. She has also starred in Spellbound and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and plays Snow White in Disney’s live-action version, now in theaters.
Kit Connor, famous for playing Nick in Heartstopper, plays the heartthrob role of Romeo. People also tend to forget Kit Connor’s debut role in 2019, when he played a young Elton John, “Older Reggie”, in Rocketman, displaying his musical background.
As Romeo + Juliet teaches audiences to listen to their parents and not fall in love when they’re in their teen years, & Juliet shows you what can happen when you listen and avoid all that tragedy and sorrow.
& Juliet is a clever Broadway musical that boldly twists the Shakespearean tragedy, imagining what would’ve changed in the tale if Juliet had chosen to live rather than die.
This production reimagines Shakespeare’s infamous tragedy, presenting a modern twist with its early 2000s pop music, dazzling set and costumes, evocative songs, and choreography. The lights synchronize with the beat of the songs, flooding the stage with vibrant colors. The choreography blends seamlessly with the modern concept of Shakespeare’s story, due to its contemporary style mixed with a little theatrical sprinkle.
Directed by Luke Sheppard, the show incorporates a theatrical mixture of Shakespearean drama and modern pop hits from Max Martin, the production’s songwriter. The production includes hits from Britney Spears, The Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry, etc. These pop anthems consist of “Since U Been Gone”, “Baby One More Time”, and “I Want It That Way”.
The musical previously starred Lorna Courtney as Juliet and is now starring Maya Boyd as of May 14, 2024. Another addition to the cast is Charli D’Amelio, who plays Charmion. Her addition attracted her massive social media following, boosting interest in the show. Romeo and Juliet reimagines the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet through inducing laughter, romance, and empowerment in a vibrant and vivid modern musical.
Romeo + Juliet and & Juliet have become adaptations of Shakespeare that not only retell the story from different perspectives and approaches but bring it to life. These modern takes on Shakespeare’s literature show how versatile his works can be; furthermore, the creativity of contemporary artists continues to elevate his iconic literature, relating it to audiences today.
