Above: Rachel Zegler (Juliet) + Kit Connor (Romeo) in Romeo + Juliet. Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman, 2024.
By Alexander Powers, BHS Content Team
For Brown Harris Stevens Agent Marsi Gardiner, “staging” is a part of daily life—whether it’s staging luxury homes for sale in NYC or mounting blockbuster Broadway shows. Among the productions in her illustrious portfolio are Jersey Boys, Dear Evan Hansen, Memphis, Parade, and most recently Romeo & Juliet, starring Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor, which recently began previews at the Circle in the Square Theatre in Midtown. For Marsi, the crafts of real estate and show production beget many overlaps—namely creativity, savvy marketing, and adaptability.
On the heels of Romeo and Juliet’s October 24th opening, I had the chance to sit down with Marsi and discuss the new york city housing market, Romeo and Juliet’s early success, and how to navigate the dynamic and often unpredictable fields of real estate and entertainment.
Romeo and Juliet has already broken box office records, and it is only in previews! To what do you attribute the show’s success?
This production takes a classic tale and reframes it for today’s teens and young adults, creating a unique space for them on Broadway. It also helps that our showrunners are household names in their own rights, each with a loyal following of fans. The show embraces modern fashion, queer romance, gender, and sexuality in a way that resonates with the times. Also, our cast is imbued with fresh talent, and they all have great comic timing!
You’ve worked in Manhattan real estate for over a decade, while simultaneously mounting shows. What has working in both fields taught you?
As a real estate agent, you have to continuously adapt to everything from economic fluctuations to industry trends—and the same goes for theatre. Particularly in the wake of COVID-19, both industries took a hit, with NYC real estate slowing and the pandemic itself stalling all shows, including Girl from the North Country, which initially opened in March 2020 to rave reviews before having to close, for obvious reasons, ten days later. Nevertheless, we reopened the show in 2022 and it went on to win the Tony Award for Best Orchestrations.
It's always best to be prepared, leverage your network of connections, and not be afraid to step out of the box with creative marketing ideas. For example, I stepped out of my comfort zone and embraced TikTok and Instagram, even starring in a video or two!
Are there any specific neighborhoods in New York City that you find particularly appealing for artists and performers?
While some may point to neighborhoods near the theatre district, like Hell’s Kitchen, I always recommend the Upper West Side, Lenox Hill, and Midtown East, where I currently have listings. The UWS is more tranquil and private, which is inviting to someone performing for large crowds and walking through Times Square every night. Midtown East offers ease of access to some of Manhattan’s best shopping and dining options while providing a quick 15-minute commute to the Theatre District.
With so many Tony Awards under your belt, how do you decide which projects to take on?
My husband Eric and I always look for shows that have meaning—not just ones that are going to be big sellers. We loved the themes behind shows like Parade, An Enemy of the People, and Girl from the North Country, as they provided unique social commentaries that were relevant to today’s conversations. For R&J, we appreciated how empowered and excited younger audiences were when they saw it, and it’s important these audiences feel seen.
What advice do you have for someone looking to make a name for themselves in NYC—be it in real estate or entertainment?
We live in a city with endless opportunities, so go out and find them! Network, socialize, attend events—do whatever you need to make connections. Once you do, you’ll open the door to dream opportunities you might not have realized were possible.