What if Juliet didin't die? That should almost be the start of the play! & Juliet is a multi-generational story of self-discovery, empowerment and love, imagining what would happen next if Juliet hadn't ended it all over Romeo, and got a second chance at life and love - on her terms. Juliet's new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, all written by Max Martin and his collaborators. The musical features a book by David West Read, direction by Luke Sheppard and choreography by Jennifer Weber.
Mix the single-artist salute Mamma Mia! with the contempo-pop stylings of Moulin Rouge!; add a healthy dose of the Shakespeare-themed Something Rotten, and a sprinkle of the Renaissance-grrl-powered Six... and you've got some idea of what's in store for you at & Juliet, the candy-colored glitter bomb of a show that just opened at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. But & Juliet-a jukebox musical built around 30 megahits/earworms from Swedish songwriter and super-producer Max Martin (he's masterminded songs made famous by the Backstreet Boys, 'N Sync, Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Jessie J, Demi Lovato, and more)-is very much its own thing in so many wild and wonderful ways.
Luke Sheppard's direction of his actors effectively showcases many of the more appealing quirks in Read's characters. When Read's book turns conventional with the nonbinary May, Sheppard turns on the automatic pilot to strand Sullivan in a swamp of schmaltz. Unfortunately, that sticky morass claims many more victims in Act 2. Why do sophisticated TV and film writers resort to hackneyed tropes when they write for the musical stage? Rather than continuing to lampoon the treacly bombast of most new musicals, writers like Read and Cameron Crowe ('Almost Famous') fall prey to it. Even the Hathaway character turns into a Celine Dion manqué, right down to the Vegas echo-chamber amplification to deliver 'That's the Way It Is' as some kind of anthem of oppression.
Digital Rush:
Price: $39
Where: todaytix.com
When: Tickets for that day's performance will be available on the TodayTix app at 9 a.m. each day on a first-come, first-served basis.
Limit: Two per customer
Information: Tickets are subject to availability.
Price: $45
Where: Standing room tickets are available in person at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre box office only.
Information: Standing room tickets will only be offered for sold-out performances and are subject to availability.
2021 | West End |
Original West End Production West End |
2022 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
2024 | US Tour |
North American Tour US Tour |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Book of A Musical | David West Read |
2023 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Choreography | Jennifer Weber |
2023 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Costume Design | Paloma Young |
2023 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Direction of a Musical | Luke Sheppard |
2023 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Featured Performer in a Musical | Betsy Wolfe |
2023 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Lead Performer in a Musical | Lorna Courtney |
2023 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Musical | & Juliet |
2023 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Orchestrations | Bill Sherman |
2023 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Sound Design of a Musical | Gareth Owen |
2023 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Book of a Musical | David West Read |
2023 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Musical | & Juliet |
2023 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Betsy Wolfe |
2023 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Lorna Courtney |
2023 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Musical | & Juliet |
2023 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Book of a Musical | David West Read |
2023 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Choreography | Jennifer Weber |
2023 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) | Paloma Young |
2023 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical | Betsy Wolfe |
2023 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | & Juliet |
2023 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations | Bill Sherman |
2023 | Tony Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical | Lorna Courtney |
2023 | Tony Awards | Best Book of a Musical | David West Read |
2023 | Tony Awards | Best Choreography | Jennifer Weber |
2023 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design of a Musical | Paloma Young |
2023 | Tony Awards | Best Lighting Design of a Musical | Howard Hudson |
2023 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | & Juliet |
2023 | Tony Awards | Best Orchestrations | Bill Sherman |
2023 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical | Betsy Wolfe |
2023 | Tony Awards | Best Sound Design of a Musical | Gareth Owen |
Videos