&Juliet: 5 Reasons I Like It

&Juliet was the perfect musical for a broadway first-timer like me.

The show’s premise was, “What if Juliet didn’t die after Romeo did?”

And this was enough for me to choose &Juliet among the many, many shows on Broadway.

I am a sucker for classics given modern twists. So when the playbill says, “It’s a jukebox musical that follows Juliet’s empowerment after Romeo’s Death,” I was sold.

Here are 5 reasons I liked watching the musical, the same reasons why I would watch it again.

It’s energetic, fun and entertaining.

One goes to broadway to be entertained. The pop tunes certified a singsongy vibe throughout the show. The artists performed with such flair and passion. The dance choreography was nothing but exciting. The vibe was always at an all-time high. There was no downtime for me.

It’s creatively lyrical.

I don’t like Backstreet Boys or Britney but the way Max Martin & Co. has woven the songs into the story made me pay attention to the lyrics, aside from the catchy tunes.

“Tell me why! (Ain’t nothing but a heartache.)”

“Oops I did it again! I played with your heart. Got lost in the game.”

“I kissed a boy and I like it —-”

“Show me the meaning of being lonely. Is this the feeling, I need to walk with.”

These lines meant something else in the context of Juliet’s journey. The words were used to evoke the emotions needed to portray Juliet’s modern story.

It’s woke. But, not-in-your face woke.

Juliet being alive after Romeo dies is already a statement. Having a transgender as a momentary rival takes the statement to another level. Being used to traditional representation, I did not cringe at the presence of May. In fact, it was a pleasure to meet her.

& Juliet celebrates diversity and advocates inclusivity beautifully.

It is unapologetically human.

When Juliet lives on after Romeo, it presents an alternative to a tragedy after a failed romance. Love is not confined to a two-option ending after all. Fairy tale or tragedy? You don’t pick an either-or ending. In real life, we choose love everyday. At least, we try to. All & Juliet characters were flawed in some way. Somehow, they stumbled through second chances.

It is perfect for a Broadway first-timer like me.

I like theatre. I was in theatre. But I cannot sit through two hours of a classic theatre performance. Something about it prods me to doze off. & Juliet did not give me any chance to do that. How could I doze? Every minute of the show pierced a nostalgic nerve because of the music. Lines uttered by the characters were anchored to the song lyrics. Audience around me was dancing and having a great time. It was a party at Stephen Sondheim theatre. And I am not a party pooper.

I am glad I was there to live Shakespeare’s reimagined story.