Finest associates endlessly! Laurie Hernandez made her Broadway debut in & Juliet on the Sondheim Theatre in New York City on March 17, and do not be shocked if her 2016 “Ultimate 5” Olympic teammates are within the viewers.
The 2-time Olympic medalist joined the present’s musical ensemble within the featured dance position of Charmion for performances by way of June 14, 2026, and Madison Kocian, Simone Biles, and Aly Raisman cannot wait to seize a seat.
“The second my Broadway debut was introduced, Maddie, Simone, and Aly texted our group chat to see after they might come,” Hernandez advised ET.
“We’ve not landed on dates but, however there’s been loads of assist there. It is felt very nice.”
From the fitness center to the stage, some issues by no means change, together with the athlete’s pre-show mindset.
“Rising up, I had loads of efficiency anxiousness, so early on I needed to study so many alternative instruments to deal with that and perceive the best way my mind works,” she shared.
“I gained a toolbox, so at any time when I used to be nervous or feeling just like the strain was on, I knew what instruments to show to, and I am utilizing those self same issues for my Broadway debut.”
That routine nonetheless features a little pre-show hype.
“Once I was competing, earlier than any competitors, I might all the time sit with my teammates and blast music,” she dished. “That is what we do backstage on the theater too, so the method is definitely sort of related.”
Fortunately, the writer has an entire new crew behind her this time.
“Everybody has been celebrating the truth that it is my Broadway debut, and even when they have been in two, three, or 4 reveals earlier than this, their pleasure about getting to do that each night time is contagious,” Hernandez revealed.
“As soon as I’ve that assist and power from my friends, I am able to strive something I’ve by no means finished earlier than. … I like new environments and attempting new issues once I know there is a assist system there to catch me if I take a left flip.”
After all, not every part interprets from her Olympic life.
“As a gymnast, I had 11 years to coach for one thing that was primarily solely a pair minutes lengthy,” she defined. “For & Juliet, I’ve had about three weeks to coach for one thing that’s 2.5 hours lengthy, so I am attempting to determine how I do know once I’m prepared.”
As Hernandez finds her rhythm, she’s taking good care of her physique.
“I have been utilizing a travel-size Theragun muscle massager and that is been altering my life,” she revealed. “It is sufficiently small to slide into my purse, so I have been ready to make use of it to heat up and funky down. It is actually been saving my muscle mass. That, and a extremely good moisturizer, since I am sweating much more than I’ve in a very long time.”
From there, the season 23 Dancing With the Stars winner feels able to take the stage.
“On the finish of the day, I am so excited to get on the market and maintain the power shifting. … I feel it is going to be loads of enjoyable connecting with audiences each single night time,” she spilled.
Created by David West Learn, & Juliet imagines what would occur if Juliet hadn’t ended it throughout Romeo and as an alternative received a second probability at life and love on her personal phrases. The story involves life by way of a playlist of pop songs by Max Martin, together with “Since U Been Gone,” “Roar,” “I Need It That Method,” “Assured,” and extra. The manufacturing is path by Luke Sheppard, with choreography by Jennifer Weber.
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