The all-time favorite romantic tragedy of the star-crossed lovers Romeo & Juliet, “who hurtle towards their inescapable faith”, is now premiering on Broadway. The show made its recent debut in September of this year, starring two young actors: West Sides Story’s Rachel Zegler as Juliet and Heartstopper’s Kit Connor as Romeo, as well as featuring original music of Jack Antonoff (Grammy Award winner) – setting a contemporary backdrop that complements the timeless catastrophe of Shakespeare’s work. As these two young lovers are torn apart by their senseless families, director Sam Gold (Tony Award winner) treats his Broadway modification in a somewhat modern aspect which changes the audiences’ perspective in a surprising direction.
The production takes a turn which is “designed to draw in tweens, teens and theater-averse adults who might not otherwise be interested in Shakespeare”; the aspiration is to woo the audience and to keep them invested with hints of hipster spectacles. This version of Romeo and Juliet highlights the dynamic, enclosed staging by making wise use of the theater in the round setup, driving the audience into an immersive, intense, and emotional experience of the actors’ performances. Sonya Tayeh’s choreography offers the conflicting Montague and Capulet families’ physicality and fury a startlingly emotional depth. By integrating Shakespearean drama with a modern aesthetic, Enver Chakartash’s costume design (Romeo wears a gold-sequined outfit to the Capulet’s party where he sees Juliet for the first time, and it sparkles in Isabella Byrd’s flashing lights. Juliet wears jean shorts and Doc Martens at one point, and pink bike shorts as pajama bottoms), similarly blurs the lines between the old and the new, emphasizing the play’s themes of youthful love and defiance of custom.
Audience responses have accentuated the immersive experience, noting that the close, circular seating draws them into the emotional stakes of the play. The show has been scheduled to run from September through January 19, 2024, with performances from Tuesday through Sunday, including matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The show’s youthful, courageous retelling of Shakespeare’s story was reflected in the lively entertainment at The Pool + The Grill after its opening night, which included lively performances by musicians and drag artists as well as themed cocktails that represented the Montagues and Capulets. For anyone who is interested in a refreshing take on Romeo and Juliet that balances both classical Shakespearean language with artistic modern elements, this Broadway revival promises an engaging experience that brings new life to the well-loved tragedy.
