Choosing a birthday gift for Ryan Reynolds isn’t exactly easy, but Blake Lively found a thoughtful solution: a family outing to Broadway. On October 23, Reynolds celebrated his 48th birthday by attending a matinee of the musical & Juliet at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York, joined by Lively and three of their children—James, 9, Inez, 8, and Betty, 5.
Lively came up with the idea, as revealed by someone present at the event. During a chat with the cast backstage, she admitted she wasn’t sure what to give Reynolds, saying, “He loves musicals, I love musicals, and the kids do too, so this just felt like the right fit!”
The family celebrates Reynolds’ birthday by embracing their shared love for musicals at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre
The production & Juliet offers an alternate take on Shakespeare’s classic, imagining Juliet surviving and exploring life on her terms. Written by Emmy-winner David West Read, the musical is set to an energetic soundtrack filled with popular hits crafted by songwriter Max Martin.
The score includes recognizable songs like Britney Spears’ “Baby One More Time,” Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” and *NSYNC’s “It’s Gonna Be Me,” along with tracks from Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, and the Backstreet Boys, making it a lively experience for theatergoers.
After the performance, Lively shared how impressed she was, confessing to the cast that while she knew it featured many hit songs, she was surprised by the depth of the storytelling. Laughing, she said that their children were already hoping for a return visit, joking, “They think we can come back every day!”
The couple’s youngest, 1½-year-old Olin, stayed home this time. Although Reynolds and Lively initially intended to leave quietly, they were so moved by the performance that they decided to visit the cast and express their appreciation. The couple took photos with the lead actors, including Ben Jackson Walker and Drew Gehling, and praised the entire cast for their talent.
Reynolds entertained the performers with his signature humor, quipping, “This is incredible! You’re the real stars here—I’m just pretending. I could never pull off what you guys did tonight!” According to a second source, both Reynolds and Lively stayed longer than expected to make sure every cast member felt recognized.
During the visit, their kids even learned some dance moves from the performers, sharing a fun moment of choreography with the cast. Before the family left, the actors surprised Reynolds by singing “Happy Birthday,” which Lively recorded on her phone to capture the special memory.
For the cast, especially those making their Broadway debuts, receiving personal recognition from the Hollywood couple was unforgettable. “It meant the world to them,” said an insider. “Having two stars like Ryan and Blake enjoy the show was a huge honor.”
Last month, Reynolds and Lively celebrated 12 years of marriage. A previous source told PEOPLE that their relationship thrives on mutual encouragement, describing them as a strong team. “Ryan is incredibly proud of Blake, and they support each other every step of the way,” the source noted.
Both actors recently had major box office success. Reynolds starred in Deadpool & Wolverine, which made history as the highest-grossing R-rated film, with Lively making a cameo appearance. Her latest project, It Ends With Us, became her most successful release to date, surpassing the performance of Green Lantern, the film that first brought the two together.
