Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story by William Shakespeare

“Understudies and swings are the heroes of the theater,” said the show’s choreographer, Jennifer Weber, who has worked with Webb in both of her roles: Judith in the ensemble, and Juliet. The show also has swings, who go on for members of the ensemble.Ī spokesperson for the Actors’ Equity Association said that, of the 33 shows currently on Broadway, 448 people have “contracted understudy, stand-by, full swing or partial swing assignments.” She said it is 'very common' for chorus performers to be understudies, though the association does not track how often they go on for the principals. Webb, 25, plays Judith in the ensemble, and she’s the “first cover” for Juliet, meaning she plays Juliet if the main actress, Lorna Courtney, can’t make it. It felt so wrong it felt so right,” he wrote, quoting a Katy Perry line from the show. The New York Times' chief theater critic began his review practically apologizing for what he was about to do, which was to endorse a jukebox musical: “I liked it. The dancing is inspired by hip-hop, with a whiff of TikTok, and it’s all brought to roaring life by a young and diverse cast.

The script, by Schitt’s Creek writer David West Read, is a girl-power take on Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet,” imagining Juliet’s life if she didn’t die after discovering Romeo’s dead body.Ĭhances are, you already know the songs in “& Juliet” - they are some of the greatest hits of the '90s and the aughts, from Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson and the Backstreet Boys - written by Swedish superstar producer and songwriter Max Martin. “Well, not my jokes,” she added, “but the script.” She said the crowd, despite their reticence, soon warmed up to her, and laughed at her jokes.

She was due onstage in minutes and had to change out of her ensemble costume and into Juliet’s blue jumpsuit. That day in Toronto, she didn’t have time to worry about how the audience felt.

Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story by William Shakespeare