Thoughts from another marathon week of theatregoing in New York City, plus Broadway opening night coverage of Schmigadoon! and reviews of Beaches and Avenue Q.
OHMYGOD HEY!
Welcome back to my weekly collation of the various reviews, opinion pieces and theatre news updates I’ve shared across multiple social media platforms.
I am once again writing to you from New York, newly arrived in Brooklyn for a more restful final few days of the trip (though the pace of theatregoing will be the same). A five show weekend saw me catching what might be Broadway’s best new play, what is certainly its boldest new musical, and what was almost my onstage wedding to Daniel Radcliffe.
There are more than a dozen shows for me to tell you about over the coming weeks, including those completely new to me (Proof, The Balusters, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone) and those to which I was returning (Every Brilliant Thing, Titaníque, Giant) but none are more prevalent in my focus than The Lost Boys, 80s screen nostalgia on an epic scale at the Palace Theatre which must be seen to be believed. Plenty to say about every aspect of the production, but there’s immediately something to be said for jaw dropping theatre in which you scarcely close your mouth.
With the season’s final opening night concluded, the Broadway community looks towards the imminent announcement of this year’s Tony Award nominations, with plenty of categories likely to be filled by performances and productions too close (and too incomparable) to call. In the case of Best New Musical, a plucky parody, a golden age sendup, and a British two-hander will likely find themselves facing off against the newly arrived singing Vampires, and I don’t envy the Tony voters whose job it is to pick a winner.
Prefer to read on email? Subscribe to free weekly Substack newsletter
This Week’s Videos
I went to the opening night of SCHMIGADOON – Broadway red carpet interviews with cast & creatives
Last week I was lucky enough to be on the red carpet of Schmigadoon’s opening night on Broadway!
The musical, which began its life as an Apple TV series written by Cinco Paul, is playing at the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway and stars Alex Brightman, Sara Chase, and more.
Check out what the cast and creatives had to say about opening the show, and what the opening night guests had to say about their earliest memories of falling in love with theatre.
We need to talk about OCTET – thoughts on the Lin Manuel Miranda / Dave Malloy movie musical…
In surprising theatre news, it was recently announced that the cult musical Octet from composer Dave Malloy would be adapted for film by Lin Manuel Miranda.
The show has been seen off-Broadway as well as regionally in the US and will feature a starry 8 person cast on screen including Rachel Zegler, Jonathan Groff, Amanda Seyfried, Gaten Matarazzo, and more.
Check out what we know so far as well as my thoughts on this project, its casting, and whether it will be successful.
Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
What’s the KARATE KID musical like? Rehearsal preview plus cast and creative interviews!
I recently had the exciting opportunity to attend a rehearsal preview event for the stage musical adaptation of The Karate Kid.
The show, which shortly embarks on a UK Tour, has an original score by Drew Gasparini and a book by the film’s screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen.
Check out what I found out from the cast and creatives about this musical and its journey to the stage, as well as some clips from a rehearsal run through of the show’s first act.
This Week’s Reviews
Avenue Q at Shaftesbury Theatre, West End, London
★★★★★ Review available YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
Beaches at Majestic Theatre, Broadway, New York City
★★ Review available YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
We played HIDE & SEEK in the West End again!
A few months ago, Aeron, Ellie, and I met up in London to play another epic game of Hide and Seek!
This time, with 1 player hiding at a time at a theatre of their choice and the other two in constant pursuit, we spent three hours chasing each other around London’s West End.
Check it out to get a unique glimpse of London’s theatre district, and find out which of us won this stagey challenge!
What’s coming up this week?
With a few more days of Broadway theatregoing ahead of me, I’m looking forward to catching talked-about productions including the transfer of Cats: The Jellicle Ball (which I already loved downtown), Becky Shaw, Dog Day Afternoon, and Well I’ll Let You Go. It’s at the end of a trip like this that I feel both ready to lie down for a long time without looking at a stage and remorseful for all of the shows I didn’t find time to see.
Amongst all of this, stay tuned for more Broadway reviews over the next month, as well as a three part vlog series chronicling this epic Spring visit!
Until next week, I hope that everyone is staying safe and that you have a stagey… week! – Mickey-Jo
Prefer to read on email? Subscribe to free weekly Substack newsletter
Leave a Reply