SCHMIGADOON! Is Pure Broadway Joy — Review
At the first preview of Schmigadoon! on Broadway a few weeks back, creator Cinco Paul joked that the show had two out-of-town tryouts, first on Apple TV and then in DC. In a way, he wasn’t wrong. When it first aired on the streaming platform in July of 2021, it made the hearts of musical theatre lovers soar. If you would have told me back then when we were quarantining that this wacky little show about two doctors trapped in a musical would be on Broadway five years later, I don’t know if I would have believed it!
But the creatives never gave up hope, and thank goodness, because Schmigadoon! has turned into the best new musical of the season. With a book, score, and lyrics by Paul, this loving tribute to the Golden Age of musical theatre is equal parts heart and laughter, and I can’t get enough.
Directed and choreographed by Christopher Gatelli, the new musical which opened tonight at the Nederlander Theatre follows Josh (Alex Brightman) and Melissa (Sara Chase) who get trapped in the magical world of Schmigadoon, where anything can set off a thrilling musical number, much to the chagrin of Josh. How else can you escape but finding the true meaning of love, of course.
Paul, who has been ideating this thought of a musical for nearly 30 years, smartly incorporates references and nods to nearly every popular show of the 40s and 50s from Oklahoma! to The Sound of Music to The Music Man and everything in-between. The razor-sharp book that may seem silly on the surface is truly quite deft. One of my favorite moments occurs early in the first act, as Josh is going through the self help books Melissa has purchased for him, one being “Despicable He” — clearly a nod to Paul’s writing on the Despicable Me franchise.
This is Broadway with a capital B. From gorgeous hand painted sets with no LED screens in sight (thank you Scott Pask) to the most stunning choreography work we have seen in seasons, what more could you ask of a night at the theatre?
It feels nearly criminal to have funny man Alex Brightman in a musical where his singing is not on display. Josh hates musicals, and will lose almost everything so he doesn’t have to sing. But what we forfeit with that, we gain tenfold with his comedy chops. Brightman has been one of our most versatile leading men, and shines bright thanks to this book. After originating the role of Myrtle in The Great Gatsby a few years back, Chase is back on the boards in a role that feels tailor-made for her. Her impish, comic sensibilities pair wonderfully with a stunning voice that I need on Broadway every season.
The gaggle of supporting characters from Ana Gasteyer’s Mildred Layton (hilarious) to Ann Harada’s Florence Menlove (hilarious) to McKenzie Kurtz’s Betsy (hilarious) fill the show with bliss and theatricality that we have been yearning for as of late. Max Clayton as Danny Bailey is thrilling as he glides across the stage in his big number to win over Miss Melissa and Isabelle McCalla leading her class of students as Emma Tate brings the house down with a big tap number that is pure Broadway joy.
Gatelli is putting his ensemble to work with high energy dancing that not only celebrates the golden age, but embraces the very best of what musical theatre can, and frankly, should be.
While some may toss Schmigadoon! aside as a frivolous night out, Paul has created a world deeply rich in humanity, charm, and musical theatre heritage. Go do yourself a favor and get trapped in Schmigadoon, I think we could all use it right about now.
Schmigadoon! is now in performance at the Nederlander Theatre on West 41st Street. For tickets and more information, visit here.
