NYC: & Juliet the Musical on Broadway

What happens after Juliet decides not to die for Romeo? That is the spark behind & Juliet, a pop-fueled Broadway musical that tosses out the familiar ending and gives Shakespeare’s heroine a new start, new choices, and plenty of loud, polished fun.

I like the show’s smart use of Max Martin’s hit songs, including Roar, Since U Been Gone, Baby One More Time, and Larger Than Life. I also like the way David West Read, known for Schitt’s Creek, mixes romance, comedy, and a modern outlook without treating the original play as sacred.

The main consideration is tone. This is not a quiet Shakespeare adaptation or a traditional period musical. You get strong language, big pop numbers, bright costumes, and a high-energy production that runs 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one intermission.

Key points to know before booking

• Juliet gets a second chance: The story begins after the famous tragedy and asks what life might look like if she chose herself.
• Max Martin’s pop catalog drives the show: Expect familiar songs such as Roar, Baby One More Time, That’s The Way It Is, and Can’t Stop the Feeling.
• The setting is the Stephen Sondheim Theatre: You present your ticket at the theater and sit in the upper or lower section selected when you book.
• The creative team blends comedy and pop spectacle: David West Read writes the story, Max Martin supplies the songs, Jennifer Weber handles choreography, and Luke Sheppard directs.
• Plan for a full evening: The performance lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes with one intermission.
• The rules are strict inside: Strong language is part of the show, and flash photography, video recording, and selfie sticks are prohibited.

A new ending for Juliet

The familiar balcony scene is not the finish line here. & Juliet asks you to imagine Juliet after Romeo, then turns that question into a lively musical about independence, friendship, romance, and starting over.

That premise gives the show an easy entry point. You do not need to know every detail of Shakespeare’s play to follow the plot. You only need to recognize that Juliet has been handed a tragic ending and decides not to accept it.

The story is written by David West Read, whose work on Schitt’s Creek helps explain the show’s comic timing and modern attitude. The humor is broad, quick, and designed to keep the story moving between songs.

You should expect a production that treats the original romance as a launching pad rather than a rulebook. Romeo still matters to the story, but the central question is what Juliet does with her own life once the old love story no longer controls it.

That makes the musical a good choice if you enjoy familiar tales with a sharp change of direction. It may be less satisfying if you want a serious, faithful Shakespeare adaptation with restrained staging and formal language.

Max Martin’s songs become the story

The show’s biggest draw is its music. Max Martin, the songwriter and producer behind a long run of number-one pop hits, supplies a catalog that many people already know from radio, playlists, and earlier stages of life.

You will hear songs including Since U Been Gone, Roar, Baby One More Time, Larger Than Life, That’s The Way It Is, and Can’t Stop the Feeling. The appeal is immediate: even before you know how each song fits the scene, the melodies are familiar.

The songs are not presented as a simple concert. They help carry the plot and shape the mood. A dramatic moment can turn into a full pop number, while a comic exchange can lead into a song you know by heart.

That structure makes the show easy to enjoy with a mixed group. One person may come for the Broadway production, another for the comedy, and another for the pop music. You do not need the same reason for buying a ticket.

Still, the music also sets the limits. If you prefer original scores written specifically for one story, you may find the familiar hits more noticeable than the characters. For fans of pop theater, that is likely part of the pleasure.

What the creative team brings to the stage

Four names shape the production in important ways. David West Read writes the script, Max Martin creates the musical foundation, Jennifer Weber choreographs the show, and Luke Sheppard directs.

That combination points to a production built around movement, comic rhythm, and polished pop staging. You can expect the songs to receive major visual treatment, not simply stand as background music between scenes.

Jennifer Weber’s choreography is particularly important to the show’s energy. The listed song choices call for a physical production, and numbers such as Larger Than Life and Can’t Stop the Feeling fit a cast that needs to sing, dance, and keep the room moving.

Luke Sheppard’s direction brings the parts together into a single evening rather than a string of disconnected music videos. The romantic plot, jokes, costumes, and songs all serve the larger idea that Juliet can build a life beyond Romeo.

The show comes to Broadway from London’s West End with an award-winning creative team. That gives you a production shaped for a large theater audience, with the confidence and scale expected from a major musical.

Arriving at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre

Your venue is the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York. The theater is the meeting point, and you present your ticket there before taking your assigned upper or lower seat.

Your booking option matters because it determines the seating section. The available information does not promise one exact view from every seat, so check the selected section carefully when you compare tickets.

An upper seat can make sense if your main goal is seeing the entire stage picture at a lower ticket level. A lower seat may appeal more if you want to feel closer to the performers and the action. Since the show depends heavily on choreography and large musical moments, your section can affect how you experience the production.

Allow enough time to arrive, find the theater, and get seated before the performance begins. The show has a substantial running time, so a rushed arrival can make the first part of your evening needlessly tense.

Food and drinks are not included with the ticket, though they are available for purchase. That detail matters if you are planning a full night out and need to decide whether to eat before the performance or buy something at the venue.

The performance rhythm and intermission

You get one complete musical performance lasting 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one intermission. That is long enough for the show to feel like a major evening event rather than a short theater stop.

The first part introduces the revised story, the comic tone, and the pop-driven style. You will see how Juliet’s decision changes the direction of the familiar tale and how the production uses songs to keep the pace quick.

The intermission gives you a useful break. You can stretch your legs, visit the restroom, and decide if you want to purchase a drink or snack before the second part begins.

The final section brings the new version of Juliet’s story toward its conclusion. The point is not simply to replace one tragic ending with a happy one. The show’s larger idea is that Juliet gets to make choices for herself, including choices about love and her future.

Because the show is built around pop songs and dance, you should expect a steady level of energy. This is not a production that spends long stretches in quiet conversation. The pace is part of the appeal, but it can feel intense if you prefer a slower musical.

Costumes, comedy, and the overall style

Costumes are a central part of the experience. The production asks you to move from Shakespearean romance to modern pop spectacle, and the clothing helps make that shift clear.

You can expect the visual style to match the music: colorful, polished, and designed to support a large stage performance. The costumes are not a minor detail. They help signal the show’s playful approach to the original story.

Comedy keeps the production from becoming too heavy. Juliet’s new beginning could have been presented as a solemn lesson, but the script aims for laughs as well as romance.

That balance is useful for a Broadway night with friends or family members who may not usually choose Shakespeare. The show offers enough story to give the songs a purpose, but it does not ask you to sit through a serious literary exercise.

Strong language is part of the content, so parents and groups should consider that before booking. The information provided does not give a specific age recommendation, which means you should use your own judgment based on the language warning and the show’s modern comic tone.

Who will enjoy & Juliet most

I would recommend this musical to you if you like familiar pop songs, large-scale choreography, and stories that give classic characters more control over their lives.

It also suits a Broadway first-timer. The plot is easy to grasp, the music is recognizable, and the performance offers the kind of full evening entertainment many people want from a New York theater outing.

Fans of Max Martin’s songwriting will have the clearest reason to book. You may recognize several songs immediately, and hearing them arranged within a stage story gives them a new setting.

The production can also work well for a mixed-age group, provided everyone is comfortable with strong language. A person who does not know Shakespeare can still follow Juliet’s choices, while someone familiar with the original play can enjoy the changes.

You may want to choose another show if you are seeking a small, intimate production, a faithful adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, or a score made entirely of new songs. The pop catalog is the heart of & Juliet, and the show does not hide that fact.

Is the ticket good value?

The value depends on what you want from a Broadway ticket. You are paying for a full production with a well-known song catalog, an experienced creative team, elaborate costumes, choreography, and nearly three hours in the theater.

If you already enjoy Max Martin’s music, the ticket gives you more than a standard play. You get a story built around songs that you may already know, with the added appeal of hearing them performed as part of a new dramatic arc.

If the show is being compared with other Broadway productions, look closely at the seating section included with your ticket. Upper and lower seats offer different ways to watch a dance-heavy performance, and the most suitable option depends on your budget and how close you want to sit.

Food and drinks cost extra, so include that in your evening budget. You can also treat the ticket as the main expense and keep the rest of the night simple.

For a major musical night in New York, the strongest value comes when you want energy, recognizable music, and comedy in one package. The value is weaker if you are buying mainly to see a traditional Shakespeare story.

Theater rules worth knowing

You cannot use flash photography, record video, or bring a selfie stick into the performance. These rules protect the cast and the audience, so plan to keep your phone away once the show begins.

The performance includes strong language. Keep that in mind when booking for children or for anyone who expects a clean, family-oriented musical.

The show runs 2 hours and 45 minutes with one intermission. You may want to use the restroom before the performance and again during the break, especially if you prefer not to leave your seat during the action.

Food and drinks are available for purchase, but they are not part of the ticket. Your ticket covers entry to the musical, not refreshments.

Should you book & Juliet?

Book & Juliet if you want a funny, high-energy Broadway musical that gives Juliet a fresh start and fills the evening with Max Martin pop hits. It is especially appealing if you know songs such as Roar, Baby One More Time, and Larger Than Life.

Think twice if you want a quiet, serious, or faithful version of Shakespeare’s tragedy. The show is deliberately modern, comic, and packed with performance energy.

For the right audience, the appeal is simple: a famous love story gets a new direction, the songs are familiar, and the evening offers plenty to watch and sing along with. Choose your upper or lower seat carefully, allow time for the 2-hour-45-minute performance, and book it as a full Broadway night rather than a short theater stop.

FAQ

Where is & Juliet performed?

The musical is performed at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York.

What does the ticket include?

The ticket includes entry to & Juliet.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase but are not included with the ticket.

How long is the show?

The show lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one intermission.

Which songs are featured?

Songs include Since U Been Gone, Roar, Baby One More Time, Larger Than Life, That’s The Way It Is, and Can’t Stop the Feeling.

Who wrote the musical?

David West Read wrote the musical. He is an Emmy-winning writer known for Schitt’s Creek.

Who created the music?

Max Martin is the songwriter and music producer behind the songs used in the musical.

Who directed the show?

Luke Sheppard directed the production.

Who choreographed & Juliet?

Jennifer Weber choreographed the musical.

Is strong language included?

Yes. The show contains strong language.

Can I take photographs or record the performance?

Flash photography and video recording are prohibited. Selfie sticks are also prohibited.