If you’ve spent any time on Gen Z’s side of the internet lately, you’ve probably heard something about Sam Gold’s new Broadway adaptation of Shakespeare’s famous "Romeo and Juliet." And if you haven’t, let me quickly try to explain why it feels like every corner of the internet is obsessing over Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler in this ultra-modern take on the timeless love story. Or actually, let me let X user @deuxmoi explain it to you, who says of the play, “Shakespeare is brat.”
Everyone knows the basics of the story — two starcrossed lovers who attempt to navigate the feud between their families and their love for one another, ultimately ending in tragic death. Sam Gold’s version of "Romeo and Juliet" sticks to this narrative, of course, but brings glittery outfits, a simplified set adorned with lots of teddy bears and a fun, raucous cast full of Broadway debuts. The performance keeps the play’s original language while bringing a brand new aesthetic to Shakespeare’s story that is so fun to witness.
I had the privilege of making the trek to the Theater District in New York City to catch a Saturday evening showing of the play. I thought I knew mostly what I was in for — I’d seen the sneaky pictures and videos of the awe-inspiring balcony kiss moment and admired the chemistry apparent in the actors from photos Zegler shared to her Instagram story. But despite obsessively stalking the @romeojulietnyc and @playbill social media accounts prior to the show for a sneak peek, I was stunned by the amazing performance put on by the entire cast of "Romeo and Juliet."
Everyone knows the basics of the story — two starcrossed lovers who attempt to navigate the feud between their families and their love for one another, ultimately ending in tragic death. Sam Gold’s version of "Romeo and Juliet" sticks to this narrative, of course, but brings glittery outfits, a simplified set adorned with lots of teddy bears and a fun, raucous cast full of Broadway debuts. The performance keeps the play’s original language while bringing a brand new aesthetic to Shakespeare’s story that is so fun to witness.
I had the privilege of making the trek to the Theater District in New York City to catch a Saturday evening showing of the play. I thought I knew mostly what I was in for — I’d seen the sneaky pictures and videos of the awe-inspiring balcony kiss moment and admired the chemistry apparent in the actors from photos Zegler shared to her Instagram story. But despite obsessively stalking the @romeojulietnyc and @playbill social media accounts prior to the show for a sneak peek, I was stunned by the amazing performance put on by the entire cast of "Romeo and Juliet."
The play begins with a sort of pre-show performance, where the actors all casually interact on stage before any script officially begins. I loved getting this unique introduction to the characters and relationships between them as people continued to file into the theater and photograph their playbills. And then from the second the show started, I was hooked. The first act of the play is so genuinely funny that I almost forgot about the tragedy that’s to come. I remember both Gabby Beans as Mercutio/Friar Lawrence and Tommy Dorfman as Tybalt/Juliet’s nurse as having some truly-laugh-out-loud lines, with multiple instances of the whole audience erupting into laughter and even cheers. And of course, seeing Zegler as Juliet and Connor as Romeo interact is electric — it’s hard to take your eyes off those two even when other characters are speaking. Harder still not to root for them, even though their end is inevitable.
The standout of the performance for me, and for many critics online, was definitely Kit Connor as Romeo. He succeeds in nailing both the highs and lows of feeling that Romeo experiences throughout the play, from near-obsessive, enthusiastic love to impulsive anger to heart-wrenching sorrow and pain. I loved watching his energy as he runs through the aisles, leaps around the stage and even steals a chair from one lucky audience member! I also feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to witness the amazing talent that is Rachel Zegler in person. We’re even lucky enough to hear her beautiful singing voice a couple of times throughout the show, and it’s clear that she was made for the stage.
After the play ended to a gigantic standing ovation, I followed the masses outside to wait at the stage door, where the cast has been appearing after most performances to interact with the crowd and sign playbills. Though I was a few rows back in the crowd, I was lucky enough to get my playbill signed by both Zegler and Connor with some creative arm-reaching and help from the crowd around me. If you have the chance to stick around after the show, I highly recommend it; it’s such a fun experience to see the cast IRL and out of costume, and they’re all great about signing as many things as they can get to.
Overall, if you have the opportunity to make it down to Circle in the Square and catch a performance of "Romeo and Juliet,” I cannot recommend enough that you take it. I think this is a play that people are going to be talking about for months and even years after the end of its limited run.
I’ll leave you with the words of X user @ashleyhufford, with whom I completely agree — “Broadway is so f**king back!”