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What makes & Juliet such an infectious joyride is its irresistible blend of pop nostalgia, sharp wit, and theatrical flair. The premise flips the script on the most famous love story ever told: what if Juliet didn’t end her life for Romeo, but instead decided to live hers to the fullest? What unfolds is part Shakespearean remix, part karaoke fever dream, and part empowering self-discovery - all set to a soundtrack of Max Martin’s biggest 90s and 2000s hits, including “...Baby One More Time,” “Since U Been Gone,” “Roar,” “Larger Than Life,” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling.”
The show’s genius lies in how those pop anthems - once the backdrop to middle school dances and car singalongs - become the emotional engine of the story. A heartbroken Juliet belts Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” not as a breakup song but as a declaration of independence. Backstreet Boys and Katy Perry lyrics somehow become Shakespearean soliloquies, and it works - beautifully.
Written by David West Read, the Emmy-winning writer of Schitt’s Creek, & Juliet is as clever as it is exuberant. The entire play unfolds as a “play within a play,” with Shakespeare’s wife Anne Hathaway (yes, that was her name, too) stepping in to rewrite her husband’s classic tragedy on the fly. It’s meta, it’s mischievous, and it’s packed with self-aware humor that pokes fun at the Bard while celebrating him in the same breath.
And yet, beneath the rhinestones and punchlines, & Juliet manages to carry an empowering message about second chances, self-definition, and love in all its forms. It’s a story of agency, acceptance, and embracing one’s truth - without ever feeling like it’s trying to teach you anything. The inclusivity and modern sensibilities are baked into the joy of the show, not tacked on as a sermon. You just leave smiling, maybe crying a little, and definitely humming “I Want It That Way.”
Since premiering in 2019, & Juliet has become a global phenomenon. It began in Manchester, took London’s West End by storm (winning three Olivier Awards), then broke box office records in Toronto and on Broadway. Now, it’s touring North America with the same sparkle, sass, and sold-out energy that made it a runaway hit.
And yet, beneath the rhinestones and punchlines, & Juliet manages to carry an empowering message about second chances, self-definition, and love in all its forms. It’s a story of agency, acceptance, and embracing one’s truth - without ever feeling like it’s trying to teach you anything. The inclusivity and modern sensibilities are baked into the joy of the show, not tacked on as a sermon. You just leave smiling, maybe crying a little, and definitely humming “I Want It That Way.”
Since premiering in 2019, & Juliet has become a global phenomenon. It began in Manchester, took London’s West End by storm (winning three Olivier Awards), then broke box office records in Toronto and on Broadway. Now, it’s touring North America with the same sparkle, sass, and sold-out energy that made it a runaway hit.
Directed by Luke Sheppard with high-energy choreography by Jennifer Weber, the production is a visual and sonic explosion of color, movement, and pop perfection. Every scene bursts with energy - whether it’s a neon-lit ballad or a dance number that feels like a cross between Shakespeare in the Park and a Vegas concert.
Simply put, & Juliet is that rare musical that manages to be as smart as it is fun, as self-aware as it is sincere, and as laugh-out-loud funny as it is genuinely moving. The sets are stunning - vibrant, detailed, and bursting with color - while the performances radiate pure joy and charisma. Every number feels like a celebration, every joke lands with precision, and every emotional beat hits just right. It’s riotous fun from start to finish, a dazzling reminder of why live theater still has the power to make us laugh, dance, and feel all at once.
Tickets are on sale now for the San Diego run at the Civic Theatre from October 14-19, 2025. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit BroadwaySD.com.
Simply put, & Juliet is that rare musical that manages to be as smart as it is fun, as self-aware as it is sincere, and as laugh-out-loud funny as it is genuinely moving. The sets are stunning - vibrant, detailed, and bursting with color - while the performances radiate pure joy and charisma. Every number feels like a celebration, every joke lands with precision, and every emotional beat hits just right. It’s riotous fun from start to finish, a dazzling reminder of why live theater still has the power to make us laugh, dance, and feel all at once.
Tickets are on sale now for the San Diego run at the Civic Theatre from October 14-19, 2025. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit BroadwaySD.com.
Originally published on October 15, 2025.
