William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet Film in Concert

Experience Baz Luhrmann’s vibrant take on Shakespeare’s timeless romance in William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet Film in Concert, a live cinematic concert experience that brings the 1996 film into a new setting. Created to celebrate the movie’s 30th anniversary, the production combines the full-screen presentation of the film with live music, atmospheric lighting, and immersive concert staging.

As the movie plays on the big screen, a 12-piece hybrid ensemble performs the soundtrack and score live in sync with the action. The result is more than a conventional film screening: the live musicians add an immediate, dynamic presence to the familiar scenes, helping amplify the romance, tension, energy, and emotional shifts of the story.

Directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet famously places Shakespeare’s dialogue within a stylized modern setting. The fictional Verona Beach combines the language and drama of the original play with contemporary fashion, visual design, action, and music, giving the classic love story a distinctive cinematic identity.

The soundtrack is an important part of the experience. Songs including Des’ree’s “Kissing You,” The Cardigans’ “Lovefool,” Radiohead’s “Talk Show Host,” and Garbage’s “#1 Crush” helped define the atmosphere of the original film. Hearing the soundtrack performed live alongside the movie creates an opportunity to experience these songs within the context of the scenes that made them memorable.

The concert format also brings the production beyond the traditional movie-theater experience. Atmospheric lighting and concert-stage elements complement the film, creating a theatrical environment where the visual world of Verona Beach is paired with a live musical performance. The 12-piece ensemble remains synchronized with the action, giving the presentation the energy of a live event while preserving the complete cinematic story.

Developed in collaboration with Disney Concerts, William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet Film in Concert offers film fans, music lovers, Shakespeare enthusiasts, and longtime admirers of Luhrmann’s work a chance to revisit the movie from a fresh perspective. It combines cinema, orchestral and contemporary music, lighting, and live performance into one immersive evening.

Whether you’re returning to the film after three decades or discovering its distinctive style for the first time, this anniversary concert offers a lively way to experience the romance and drama of Romeo and Juliet—on screen and through live music.