Shakespeare probably didn't imagine a world where his tragic heroine trades a dagger for a microphone and starts belting out Britney Spears. But here we are. Broadway’s Stephen Sondheim Theatre is currently vibrating with the bass of Max Martin’s greatest hits, and honestly, the vibe is unmatched. If you are looking for & juliet tickets nyc, you’re likely trying to figure out if it's worth the $150+ price tag or if you can snag a deal at the TKTS booth.
It’s loud. It’s pink. It’s surprisingly smart.
The premise is basically a "what if" scenario. Anne Hathaway—Shakespeare’s wife, not the actress—decides the ending of Romeo & Juliet is a total bummer. She takes the quill and rewrites the story. Juliet lives. She goes to Paris. She learns that there is life after a three-day relationship with a guy who killed her cousin. It sounds like a jukebox fever dream, and in many ways, it is, but the writing by David West Read (of Schitt’s Creek fame) keeps it from being a mindless medley.
Finding the Best Seats for & Juliet Tickets NYC
Don't just buy the first seat you see on a resale site. The Stephen Sondheim Theatre is a bit of a weird one because it’s mostly underground. It’s modern and intimate, which means there really aren't many "bad" seats, but there are definitely better ones.
If you want the full spectacle, the Mezzanine is actually the secret winner here. Because the show uses massive LED screens and confetti cannons that cover the entire house, being slightly elevated lets you see the "big picture" choreography. The front bits of the Orchestra are great for seeing the sweat on the actors' faces, but you might miss the scale of the lighting design.
Prices vary wildly. Weekends are always going to be the most expensive, often hovering between $149 and $350 for decent spots. If you can swing a Tuesday or Wednesday evening, you’ll often find the same seats for $99 to $129. Honestly, paying more than $200 for a jukebox musical feels steep unless you’re sitting front-row center and really, really love Katy Perry.
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The Digital Lottery and Rush Strategy
If you're on a budget, you have to play the game. The official digital lottery is hosted through Telecharge. It’s $47. You enter the day before. It’s a total crapshoot, but if you win, you’re getting a steal.
Then there’s the "Rush."
- Get to the box office (124 W 43rd St) right when it opens at 10:00 AM.
- On Sundays, it opens at noon.
- These tickets are usually $47 and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Be prepared for "partial view" seats.
Partial view at & Juliet usually means you’re off to the far side. You might miss a dancer or two on the wings, but for forty bucks? It’s a no-brainer. You still hear the hits. You still feel the energy. You still see the glitter.
Why the Music Makes the Show Work
Max Martin is the guy behind literally every song you’ve had stuck in your head since 1995. "Since U Been Gone," "Roar," "Baby One More Time," and "Larger Than Life." The show features about 30 of these tracks.
Usually, jukebox musicals feel clunky. The characters awkwardly shoehorn a song into the plot. "Oh, I’m feeling lonely... I guess I Want It That Way!" In & Juliet, it’s done with a wink and a nod. The audience knows the songs. The actors know the audience knows. There’s a moment in the first act when the opening notes of a Backstreet Boys song hit, and the entire theater usually erupts in a collective gasp of nostalgia. It’s communal.
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The arrangements are handled by Bill Sherman, and he does a great job of making these pop anthems feel like musical theater. "It's My Life" becomes a defiant anthem of independence. "Fuckin' Perfect" (the clean version, usually) is a touching moment of self-acceptance. It’s cleverer than it has any right to be.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Plot
People hear "feminist retelling of Shakespeare" and they think it’s going to be a lecture. It’s not. It’s a party.
The show explores gender identity through the character of May, Juliet’s non-binary best friend. It handles the topic with a light but respectful touch, particularly through the song "Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman." It’s one of the few times a Britney Spears song has ever made a Broadway audience cry.
The conflict isn't just "men are bad." It’s about how everyone—including William Shakespeare himself—is trapped by the stories they think they have to tell. Will and Anne argue over the plot like a married couple bickering over the TV remote. It’s relatable. It’s human.
Logistics: Getting to the Stephen Sondheim Theatre
The theater is located on 43rd Street, just off Times Square. If you’re taking the subway, the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W, and S trains to 42nd St–Times Square are your best bet.
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Pro tip: Don't eat in the immediate vicinity of the theater unless you want to pay $30 for a mediocre burger. Walk a few blocks west to 9th Avenue. Hell’s Kitchen has some of the best Thai, Italian, and Mexican food in the city for half the price of the tourist traps.
The show runs about 2 hours and 30 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.
Performance Schedule (Subject to Change)
- Tuesday through Thursday: 7:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 8:00 PM
- Matinees: Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM
The 7:00 PM start on weeknights is a godsend for anyone who has to work the next morning. You’re out by 9:30 PM, which is just enough time to grab a drink and still get a decent night's sleep.
Is it Family Friendly?
Mostly. The show is recommended for ages 8 and up. There’s some mild "suggestive" dancing and a bit of language, but nothing you wouldn't see in a PG-13 movie. Kids usually love the bright colors and the songs they recognize from TikTok. Parents love the 90s nostalgia. It’s one of those rare shows where a teenager and a grandparent can both have a genuinely good time without one of them being bored or offended.
Actionable Steps for Grabbing Your Tickets
If you are ready to pull the trigger on & juliet tickets nyc, follow this sequence to ensure you don't get ripped off:
- Check the Official Site First: Always start at the official Broadway site or Telecharge. This gives you the "base" price without the massive "convenience" fees added by third-party resellers like StubHub or Vivid Seats.
- Look for "Inventory Releases": Sometimes, the box office releases "house seats" (seats held for VIPs or industry folks) 24 to 48 hours before a performance. If you check the seating chart a day before the show, you might find a prime center-orchestra seat that wasn't there a week ago.
- The TKTS Booth: If you’re in the city, check the TKTS booth under the red stairs in Times Square. & Juliet is frequently on the board for 30% to 50% off. Use the "TKTS" app to see what’s available before you walk over.
- Avoid Street Touts: Never buy tickets from someone on the sidewalk. They are scams. Every single time.
- Direct Box Office Purchase: If you want to save the $10-$15 per ticket online service fee, physically walk to the box office. They don't charge the web fees for in-person transactions. That’s enough for a free drink at intermission.
Buying tickets for a hit show can be a headache, but this one is worth the effort. It’s a shot of pure dopamine in a city that can sometimes feel a bit grey. Go for the music, stay for the surprisingly heart-wrenching second act, and leave humming a song you haven't thought about since 1998.