The newest musical to hit Broadway starring Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler is advertised with four words, “The Youth Are F**ked.” The very timely show takes a new age approach to the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet. The director, Sam Gold, takes the story we’ve all read in high school and turns it into a Gen-Z wonderland.
Rachel Zegler, most notably known for her starring role in “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” (a Hunger Games prequel) stars as a bubbly Juliet and “Heartstopper’s” Kit Connor plays the role of Romeo.
A New Age
Although the play starts with the ever-recognizable first line “Two households, both alike in dignity,” this play is anything but traditional. Gold takes his creative direction to the next level; the cast’s outfits look like they were taken right off the Urban Outfitter’s mannequin and are often seen with very timely accessories. And who can not stop talking about the TikTok famous balcony scene?
In addition to the noteworthy staring actors, “Romeo + Juliet’s” music is created by Jack Antonoff, who is recognized as one of the best producers/writers of the century. Antonoff works with notable stars such as Lorde, Lana Del Rey and of course Taylor Swift.
Unforgettable Retellings
Now we can’t talk about the reimagined rendition of Romeo and Juliet without recognizing a movie that forever lives in our minds rent free. Yes, we are talking about the 1996 “Romeo + Juliet” film with Leonardo DiCaprio. The movie, with the same name as the play, adapts the story into a post-modern rivalry between two gangs.
Dicaprio’s portrayal of Romeo leaves every person in English class swooning. Set in the fictional town of Verona Beach, the movie has some fashion forward moments from pattern-printed shirts to iconic costume party looks.
Broadway’s Latest Hit
The musical of Romeo + Juliet is on a strict 20-week run which started on Sept. 26, 2024. Tickets are ranging in price from around 100 dollars to over 350 dollars.
Which rendition of Shakespeare’s classic is your favorite? Which looks can you not stop thinking about? Let us know by tweeting us @VALLEYmag on X!
