Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor said their final farewell to Broadway in the production of Romeo + Juliet. The acclaimed revival concluded its 20-week limited engagement at the Circle in the Square Theatre in New York City. Director Sam Gold’s version of the classic Shakespearean play began on Sept. 26, 2024, with an official opening on Oct. 24. The production included 28 previews and 125 regular performances, attracting standing-room-only audiences and breaking records in its short run. The play boasted the youngest ticket-buying audience in recorded Broadway history, with 14% of purchasers aged 18 to 24, far exceeding the usual industry average of 3%.
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Romeo + Juliet, starring Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor, not only received critical acclaim but also financial success. The production recouped its entire $7 million capitalization during its run, a remarkable achievement in the theatre industry. Zegler took to Instagram to share her gratitude and memories of the play, quoting Shakespeare’s famous line, “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” The duo’s Broadway debut in Romeo + Juliet followed their success on screen, with Zegler’s Golden Globe-winning performance in West Side Story and Connor’s roles in the Netflix series Heartstopper and the movie Rocketman.
Both Zegler and Connor have exciting projects lined up for the future. Zegler will lead Disney’s live-action Snow White, set to be released on March 21, while Connor will star in Warfare alongside Joseph Quinn, Noah Centineo, and others, a film depicting a U.S. army battle in Iraq. The cast of Romeo + Juliet also included talented performers like Gabby Beans, Daniel Bravo Hernández, and Tommy Dorfman, with music composed by Grammy Award winner Jack Antonoff. The tragic romance of Romeo and Juliet has been a beloved story told many times on Broadway, with Gold’s production and its creative team now eligible for the 2025 Tony Awards.
As the curtains closed on Romeo + Juliet, fans celebrated the successful run and bid farewell to the cast and crew. The play’s impact on Broadway history and the industry as a whole will not be forgotten, setting a benchmark for future productions to aspire to. The chemistry between Zegler and Connor on stage resonated with audiences, leaving a lasting impression that will be remembered fondly for years to come. The legacy of Romeo + Juliet lives on, continuing to inspire and captivate audiences with its timeless tale of love and tragedy.
The Broadway community anticipates the next ventures of Zegler and Connor, eagerly awaiting their future projects and performances. Despite the bittersweet goodbye to Romeo + Juliet, the memories created and the success achieved by the production will remain a significant milestone in the careers of all involved. As the spotlight shifts to new productions and upcoming talent, the impact of Romeo + Juliet will endure, leaving a lasting legacy in the hearts of theatre enthusiasts worldwide.