MADISON, Wis. — In May 2022, Rachel Simone Webb headed to Toronto for rehearsals for a new musical.
Little did she know about two years later, she’d be headlining its national tour as it took the U.S. by storm.
Webb started with “& Juliet” as an ensemble member in the Broadway cast. She’s been with the show since the beginning, opening on Nov. 17, 2022 in New York.
On Nov. 19, 2022, she made her debut as “Juliet.” She was the understudy for Lorna Courtney, who originated the titular character.
Webb went on for Juliet on Broadway more than 140 times. That’s not something many Broadway understudies can say, but in this cast, Webb said it was not only the norm, it was welcomed.
“Because the load of Juliet, it’s a hefty one. It’s one that is welcomed to be shared on Broadway,” she said.
“& Juliet” is a jukebox musical, meaning nearly all of the songs in the show — except for one that was written explicitly for the show — existed already independently from the production.
That means that audience members will recognize songs such as Katy Perry’s “Roar” — which is Webb’s favorite song — and Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone.”
“In our version, Juliet is such a vocally demanding role. She has to sing Ariana Grande songs and Demi Lovato. These are extreme singers, right? Jessie J. They’re really good singers and so it really takes, just the same way that it’s a huge task to speak the Shakespearian text, it’s a huge task to sing and dance these iconic, number one, Billboard chart slashing hits,” Webb explained. “But it’s fun. It’s exhilarating and it is female empowerment. It’s just a whole whirlwind of iconic-ness.”
Actually, “iconic” may be the perfect way to describe “Juliet.”
“Playing the role of Juliet is a big task because she’s such an icon. Everybody knows Juliet. ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ everybody knows it. Whether they have read it or not, they know or they have an idea of it. So it’s an honor to play such a well-known role because she doesn’t always look like a Black girl,” Webb shared.
Webb did her own research and found out there was a Black Juliet in a recent production of “Romeo and Juliet” on the West End. Back in 2014, there was a Black Juliet in a Broadway production of “Romeo and Juliet.” Misty Copeland has performed the leading lady in the ballet rendition, too.
Of course, Courtney is another role model for Webb, and for their shared character of Juliet in the show.
“I allow myself to be influenced by the joy and the love and everything [Lorna Courtney] infused into [Juliet] that I got to watch on stage every night being an ensemble member. I truly feel like when I was given the opportunity, I was able to breathe into myself and find my own inspirations from the Juliet text and the songs,” Webb said.
While Webb said it was great to see other Black women taking on the task, it certainly is not the norm.
“Generally speaking, if you’re gonna do a remake of ‘Romeo & Juliet,’ she’s just more Euro-centric,” she said. “So it’s nice to see little Black girls at the stage door and in the audience. Their eyes light up and they’re just like, ‘Oh my gosh, I cannot believe I just saw you in this.’”
“I just think it’s really important for little Black girls who want to do theater to know that they have a shot at it. Not even just little Black girls… But in addition to that, people of all genders and people of all backgrounds and cultural backgrounds come to me and express how inspired they are by this musical. It’s such an honor, mostly because I get to share this perspective with multiple people groups and it inspires people and it makes them want to bring their young daughter or bring their girl group or like a bachelorette party. It’s really nice to see their responses.”
Overall, Webb said the response the show has received on the road so far has been positive.
She said bringing the show to people’s hometowns has been extra special, saying it feels more homey and spirited.
But as for the show itself, it’s the exact same one she performed on Broadway.
“It is absolutely the same show. It has the same heart. It has the same beauty. It has the same music, just a different cast. [There are] a few different tech elements that make it more travelable, but it’s still so much fun,” Webb said.
Audience members have fun, too, she said. People tend to sing along to songs they recognize, and Webb can hear the humming audience members as they exit each theater she visits.
Aside from the familiar, remixed tunes, Webb said she hopes audiences in Wisconsin and beyond can dig into the heart of what the show is all about.
“I hope that they take away a new sense of self, a new love for their loved ones and a reminder that just because life has been giving them a certain circumstance, they don’t have to deal with it. You have a little bit more control of your life than you think. It’s nice to empower everyone in that way,” she said.
That’s what Juliet is learning as well throughout the musical.
“‘& Juliet’ is ‘Romeo and Juliet’ without the Romeo. It’s a remixed version and it is told comedically through pop songs. It’s as if William Shakespeare and Anne, his wife, come and re-write the play,” she said.
And throughout her over two years with the show, Webb has learned a few things, too.
“To be honest with you, the role of Juliet teaches you how to do it. When you say those lines and you empower yourself, you’re not just Juliet empowering herself, you’re Rachel empowering yourself as Juliet as well. You’re Lorna reminding yourself that you can win. The actor learns from the character, in my opinion.”
"& Juliet" runs at the Overture Center for the Arts from Nov. 26 to Dec. 1. Find ticket information, here.
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