Rachel Zegler Bids Farewell to Broadway as Romeo + Juliet Ends Triumphant 20-Week Run
The highly acclaimed revival of Romeo + Juliet wrapped its 20-week limited engagement at the Circle in the Square Theatre on Sunday, February 16, marking the end of a record-breaking run that brought Gen Z audiences in droves and recouped its entire $7 million capitalization.
Stars’ Final Bow
For West Side Story breakout star Rachel Zegler and Heartstopper favorite Kit Connor, the production marked a Broadway debut they’ll never forget. The two took their final bow together, having led the company since previews began on September 26, 2024. Under Sam Gold’s direction, the show officially opened on October 24 and played 28 previews along with 125 regular performances—often to standing-room-only crowds.
A Hit With Young Audiences
In addition to scoring rave reviews, Romeo + Juliet set a remarkable box-office milestone for Circle in the Square: it became the highest-grossing limited engagement in the venue’s history. Perhaps most notably, it drew an unprecedented percentage of young ticket buyers—14% were aged 18 to 24, dwarfing the industry average of 3%.
Zegler Shares Behind-the-Scenes Moments
Following the final curtain call, Zegler posted a series of heartfelt backstage snapshots on Instagram, quoting Shakespeare’s iconic line, “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” She added, “I loved performing here!” celebrating the bond formed with cast, crew, and fans throughout the run.
Connor and Zegler’s Next Roles
Though fans might be mourning their departure, both stars have major projects on the horizon. Zegler, who earned a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, will next headline Disney’s live-action Snow White, set to premiere on March 21. Connor, best known for playing Nick Nelson on Netflix’s Heartstopper and portraying a young Elton John in Rocketman, will star in the upcoming war drama Warfare (April 11), alongside Joseph Quinn, Noah Centineo, Will Poulter, and Charles Melton.
A Fresh Take on Shakespeare
Gold’s revival assembled a vibrant cast to reimagine Shakespeare’s tragic romance about two teenagers from feuding families. The ensemble included Gabby Beans as Mercutio/The Friar/Prince, Tommy Dorfman as Tybalt/The Nurse, and Taheen Modak as Benvolio, among others. Movement was choreographed by Sonya Tayeh, with Grammy Award winner Jack Antonoff composing original music—some of which featured Zegler’s vocals.
Tony Award Prospects
With its limited engagement officially concluded, Romeo + Juliet remains in contention for the 2025 Tony Awards. Nominations will be revealed on May 1, fueling speculation that the production’s critical and commercial success could translate into multiple nods.
Shakespeare’s timeless tale has graced Broadway nearly 40 times, most recently in a 2013 staging featuring Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad. This revival, however, leaves a distinct legacy: it brought new, younger audiences into the theater and proved that love—and star power—still has the power to captivate Broadway.
Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com
