World Premiere Schmigadoon! is a Wacky, Wonderful Spoof of Early Broadway Musicals Now at the Kennedy Center
Schmigadoon!
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Jordan Wright
February 3, 2025
Sara Chase, McKenzie Kurtz, and Alex Brightman (Photo/Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)
There was such a tremendous reception from the audience for every pun, joke, dance, slow burn and musical number throughout the sell-out performance of Schmigadoon! I attended last night, that I had to wonder what in the Sam Hell was up. The rousing applause and laughter were something I’d expect from avid theatregoers who come to a show having seen it before, maybe many times over, and are huge fans. I had to do a little digging to discover what the heck is the secret sauce to its immediate unquestionable success – especially given that the show is a spoof on old time musicals from the 50’s and 60’s and there was a young audience in total thrall.
If you didn’t see it, the series premiered on Apple TV + featuring a well-known cast of television and B’way superstars. Fans followed two seasons of episodes, and it was a huge hit winning kudos and awards along the way. Fast forward to this brand-new, live stage iteration and there’s your audience… plus anyone who grew up with these earlier musicals. To identify a few of the original tunes taken to hilarious heights, I thought I recognized The Music Man, Brigadoon (naturally), Carousel, Oklahoma, South Pacific and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. When you figure out the rest, let me know.
Emily Skinner and the cast of Schmigadoon (Photo/Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)
For those unfamiliar with the story, it focuses on a young couple who have both literally and figuratively lost their way while on a weekend camping trip when they cross a bridge to find themselves in the throwback 1910’s in the mythical town of Schmigadoon. These two medical doctors, Josh and Melissa who are in the midst of a lovers’ spat, live in present-day New York City. In this retro, small town USA they find they are entirely out of their element, both socially and politically as they discover a community driven by Puritan values and yesteryear’s ignorance. But wow, can these small-town guys and gals sing and dance! As they say here, in a twist on the old trope, “Yee hawk”.
Eloise Kropp, Sara Chase, and Phillip Attmore (Photo/Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)
This world premiere musical has a cast chock-a-block with beloved Broadway, film and TV veteran performers who sang their faces off to an audience who hooted and hollered with glee. So did we. It’s silly, sweet and infectious, while harkening back to a Victorian era when love was as pure as the driven snow and pre-marital sex and having babies out of wedlock was beyond the pale. All that makes for some wacky scenarios as Josh and Melissa thread their way back to their love for each other helped by an adorable town crier kid, Carson, who damn near steals the show.
Linda Cho’s costumes reflect vintage country with the ladies in floral prairie dresses and the men in Victorian daytime formal wear or farm togs with high-waisted trousers held up by wide suspenders. Director and choreographer, Christopher Gatelli steers the chorus line into some serious high-stepping dance moves from kicks, leaps and flips to a brilliantly executed tap number.
Alex Brightman and the cast of Schmigadoon (Photo/Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)
You will lean in close to pluck out Book, Music and Lyrics Composer, Cinco Paul’s references to past musicals. I had alternate tunes from early musicals running rampant in my brain while trying to focus on the music at hand. I cadged a few (see above). Unfortunately, the program gives no hint. There’s your challenge.
For old school aficionados of period Broadway musicals plus the younger audience who followed the TV series (did I leave anyone out?) this wacky, wonderful, farcical musical is for you.
09_Brad Oscar and Kevin Del Aguila_Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
Starring Alex Brightman as Josh, Sara Chase as Melissa, Ann Harada from the original cast as Florence Menlove, Brad Oscar as Mayor Menlove, Emily Skinner as Mildred Layton, Ryan Vasquezas Danny Bailey, Javier Muñoz as Doc Lopez, McKenzie Kurtz as Betsy McDonough, Ayaan Diop as Carson Tate, Isabelle McCalla as Emma Tate, Kevin Del Aguila as Reverend Layton/Leprechaun with Phillip Attmore as Freddy, Brandon Block as Buford Riggs, Holly Ann Butler as Helen Pritt, Max Clayton as Larry the Fireman, Kimberly Immanuel as Zaneeta, Eloise Kropp as Nancy, Jess LeProtto as Pete, Nathan Lucrezio as Farmer McDonough, Lauralyn McClelland as Ruth O’Reilly, Shina Ann Morris as Norma Nelson, Angel Reda as The Countess Gabrielle Von Blerkom, and Richard Riaz Yoder as Harvey the Innkeeper.
Scenic Design by Scott Pask, Lighting Design by Jen Schriever, Sound Design by Haley Parcher. With the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra under the Musical Direction of Steven Malone and Jay Crowder.
Highly recommended. It’s a short run so snag your tix asap!
Through February 9th at the Kennedy Center, 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566. For tickets call the box office at 202 416-8540 or visit www.Kennedy-Center.org.