Booker T. graduate rocks center stage

By Shari Goldstein Stern

The journey from a local talent to a Broadway star in performing arts is marked by dedication, passion and an unwavering commitment to the craft. 

Such is the inspiring story of Rachel Simone Webb, a Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (Booker T.) alumna who took center stage Tuesday night at Broadway Dallas, engaging audiences with her performance in the lead role of “& Juliet.” 

Dallas Independent School District’s (DISD) Booker T. is one of the country’s premiere creative arts high schools. Alumni who flourished as thriving, recognized artists include Norah Jones, Erykah Badu, Liz Mikel, Edie Brickell, Miguel Cervantes, Elizabeth Mitchell and more. The addition of Webb expands that impressive roster. 

Webb appeared in the “& Juliet” Broadway production from 2022 through 2024 in roles including Judith, Rosaline, and as understudy to Juliet. By January 19 of this year, “& Juliet” enjoyed 909 performances and twenty previews at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre during its Broadway run. The native Dallasite’s debut was triumphant.

The Desoto native graduated from Texas State University (TSU) School of Music in 2020 with a BFA in musical theater. She received additional training from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL).

Webb said, “My mother was my very first vocal coach. Once I started to take this thing seriously as a profession, I learned from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, De Soto High School, Booker T. Washington HSPVA and Texas State University.”

While studying, she appeared in TSU’s productions of plays and musicals, including “Guys and Dolls,” “The Tempest,” “Ragtime,” and “Intimate Apparel.” Webb also has credits for “Hairspray” at Theatre Aspen and “Smokey Joe’s Café” at Casa Manana. She had a part in the film, “Evinced” and was a featured singer in the remarkable Kristin Chenoweth’s revue, “For the Girls.”

In an interview with “Broadway World,” Webb explained her desire to perform. “I knew I needed to do this professionally in 2009 when my mentor, Mr. Curtis King, put me on stage to sing ‘I Am Changing’ from ‘Dreamgirls’ at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, Texas. I was 11 years old, and I was on the same program as Jennifer Holiday and Erykah Badu. It was a gift.”

According to producers, “This hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told.” Juliet dumps her famous finish for a new beginning, a second chance in life, and love on her terms. 

Her performance in “& Juliet” is a gift to Dallas audiences. With songs by Max Martin, “& Juliet,” asks: “What would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo?” Martin has written the most No. 1 hits after John Lennon and Paul McCartney. He is responsible for decades of sensational pop music celebrated worldwide. He has been dubbed in the industry as the “Shakespeare of Pop.” 

The score features iconic Martin pop favorites, including “Since U Been Gone‚” “Roar,” “Baby One More Time,” “Larger Than Life‚” “That’s The Way It Is,” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” With familiar music made popular by artists like Backstreet Boys and Pink, this may be another dancing-in-the-aisles-fest at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

“& Juliet” runs through February 9. For tickets and additional information, visit broadwaydallas.org.