UPDATED 4/8, 9:48 p.m. ET: The Tom Holland-led production of Romeo & Juliet might be coming to Broadway.
The highly-anticipated revival of the Shakespeare classic is set to begin performances in London’s West End on May 11 at the Duke of York's Theatre. The show has already proven to be a financial success way before a curtain can rise, with Deadline reporting that the show’s entire 12-week run sold out in under two hours.
However, stateside fans who can’t make it out to England might be in luck, if U.K. tabloids are to be believed.
A source tells the Mirror newspaper that Romeo & Juliet with the Spider-Man star is set to transfer to New York City after it finishes its London run on Aug. 3.
“Romeo & Juliet will head to Broadway after its London run, with details to be announced in due course,” the insider told the Mirror per Deadline. “While director Jamie Lloyd has made a name for his minimalist adaptations of classic texts, the headline grabber for what is essentially yet another production of Romeo & Juliet is undoubtedly its leading man.”
The source did not mention further details about the show’s alleged Broadway run, including a theater or additional casting. Though he's a West End veteran thanks to Billy Elliot the Musical, the production would mark Holland’s Broadway debut.
Last month, actress Francesca Amewudah-Rivers was announced to star as Juliet in the production. Sadly, the actress has been on the receiving end of racist remarks since the announcement of her casting.
"Following the announcement of our Romeo & Juliet cast, there has been a barrage of deplorable racial abuse online directed towards a member of our company. This must stop," read a statement from the Jamie Lloyd Company. "We are working with a remarkable group of artists. We insist that they are free to create work without facing online harassment. We will continue to support and protect everyone in our company at all costs. Any abuse will not be tolerated and will be reported. Bullying and harassment have no place online, in our industry or in our wider communities."
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Tom Holland will return to his theatrical roots when he stars in Romeo & Juliet on London’s West End.
According to Playbill, Holland will play Romeo in the new production directed by Jamie Lloyd and running 12 weeks from May 11 to Aug. 3 at the Duke of York’s Theatre. An official opening night performance has yet to be determined.
"Tom Holland is one of the greatest, most exciting young actors in the world," said Lloyd in a statement per Playbill. "It is an honor to welcome him back to the West End."
Long before the world knew him as Peter Parker in the latest Spider-Man films, Holland got his professional start on London’s West End when he performed in Billy Elliot: The Musical, first playing Billy’s friend Michael in 2008 and eventually the title role until 2010, according to Playbill and the Sky Kid. Romeo & Juliet will be Holland’s second West End credit.
Additional casting for the Shakespeare classic will be announced at a later date.
You can sign up for priority ticket access by visiting romeoandjulietldn.com
