The musical received neutral-to-unfavorable reviews from critics. "The New York Times" critic Brooks Atkinson praised the acting and choreography, but stated, "This is their Valentine to show business, expressed in the form of a show-within-a-show; and it has just about everything except an intelligible story." "Herald-Tribune" critic Walter Kerr noted that "Rodgers and Hammerstein have come perilously close to writing a show-without-a-show." George Jean Nathan of the "Journal American" stated that "Hammerstein's book has the effect of hanging idly around waiting for an idea to come to him." Robert Coleman of the "Daily Mirror" noted, "Having set new high standards for musicals throughout the world, Rodgers and Hammerstein dipped into the lower drawer of their desk for "Me and Juliet". It proved a big disappointment for this dyed-in-the-wool R. & H. fan." John Chapman of the "Daily News" commented, "It is at its most interesting when Jo Mielziner's sets are in motion". According to Steven Suskin in his compilation of Broadway opening night reviews, the seven major New York critics allotted the production no raves, one favorable review, one mixed, four unfavorable, and one pan.