Lorna Courtneywas barely out of the University of Michigan whenBroadwayfirst came calling.
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This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
DEADLINE:So, congratulations.
Lorna Courtney, “& Juliet"Courtesy/Matthew Murphy
What has this week been like for you?
LORNA COURTNEY:This week has been challenging in the best ways and also tiring in the best ways.
Today I got up at 4:30 and performed onThe View, and I met Whoopi Goldberg.
Lorna Courtney, ‘& Juliet’ (Credit: Matthew Murphy)
DEADLINE:Is it just the crazed schedule thats challenging or are there other things weighing on you?
COURTNEY:Because this is my first lead role I didnt know what to expect.
DEADLINE:I thought you were going to say First and foremost I want to sleep.
COURTNEY:Well, that too.
DEADLINE:You said you know how to be a leader.
But Im wondering how you learned that.
This is your first lead role on Broadway.
What a ride this must have been.
How do you think coming so far so quickly impacts your performance as a leader?
Well, this is live theater.
Anything can happen, particularly with my character.
We dont allmovethe same.
DEADLINE:Lets talk about the Max Martin songs.
Did knowing these hits beforehand give you any trepidation in performing them?
I know this song.
Then they really listen because theyre hearing the words in a completely different way.
And thats how I approached them as an actor.
Who am I talking to with this song, what am I trying to say?
And thats how I was able to disassociate them from the fact that theyre so famous.
Not once did Max say to me, it’s crucial that you soundthisway.
DEADLINE:Speaking of bringing yourself, lets talk about the shows you did before& Juliet.
The direction was very specific and particular because they knew what worked and what didnt.
So there was some room for creativity but not much.
And then on the flip side of that, there wasWest Side Story, a revival.
I thought it was beautiful.
So it was dark, but it was human, and it was beautiful.
The cast was huge, and the orchestra was huge, and it was an amazing experience.
I didnt even have a dance call for the show and I was thrown in as a dancer.
It was completely new to me.
DEADLINE:What youthinkyou cant do that maybe you actually can.
Its very, very hard.
Physically and of course vocally, its very challenging.
I havent had an injury.
DEADLINE:Thats really good to hear.
People who are do eight shows a week, injuries are pretty common.
COURTNEY:After the show I get home as quickly as I can.
I run a bath with Epsom salt.
Heat up my prepared meals from CookUnity, and to save time I eat in the tub.
Sometimes Ill put on magnesium lotion and arnica gel.
And then do it all again the next day.
DEADLINE:Whats the day likebeforeyou go into the show?
Today is a Monday and Im working.
Im doing performances whether its singing or interviews, which Im happy and Im blessed to do.
DEADLINE:And Juliet is, finally, a lead in her own story.
Shes not the plus-one anymore.
COURTNEY:And she lets girls see that there is no such thing as perfection.
As Mel [Melanie La Barrie, who plays Juliets nurse] sings, Youre fing perfect to me.
Its okay to make mistakes and its okay to pick yourself up and to take another crack.
You have your friends.
You have the people in your life that are not your biological family butarefamily to you.
COURTNEY:You know, I dont even have a dress yet, I really dont.
But Im not worried about it.
Im hopeful everything will come together.
And I will beperforming at the Tony Awards!
Like, I could cry.
I will actually be performing on the Tony Awards, and that in and of itself isitfor me.
Im so glad that Im doing it with this show and with this cast.
And then well just see how the rest of the night goes.
