Tag: musical review

Off-Broadway Review | Heathers

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Heathers

Playing at New World Stages

Musical or play? Musical

Lottery or Rush Tickets? $38.00 Digital Lottery and Digital Rush

What I Paid: $140.00

My Rating: ★★★★

Official Website: https://heathersthemusical.com/

Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is a matter of life and death, and Veronica Sawyer is just another of the nobodies dreaming of a better day. But when she’s unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity finally start to come true. That is until J.D., the mysterious teen rebel, teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it is murder being a somebody…

REVIEW

When I heard Heathers was making a return to New York City off-broadway at New World Stages, I knew I had to check this cult classic musical out for myself. All I knew about Heathers was that it is set in a high school, starred Carrie Hope Fletcher in the West End, and had a controversial scene depicting suicide. Otherwise, I managed to avoid spoilers, and boy was I in for a surprise! I can only describe Heathers as Mean Girls meets Stephen King, as the show got very intense very quickly.

I purchased a full price ticket for Heathers online from the box office. Thankfully, the prices are not too steep given the off-broadway venue, and even though I was farther back in Orchestra Center, I had a great view as the theatre is on the smaller side. Because this show is selling quite well, I do recommend buying your tickets in advance if you are looking for specific seats or a specific date.

At the center of Heathers is the classic story of a bullied high school student who just wants to fit in with the popular crowd. Here, Veronica Sawyer (Lorna Courtney) decides to befriend the top clique, the Heathers, so that she can get through high school unscathed. However, Veronica quickly realizes that popularity isn’t everything, but instead of simply breaking off the friendship, Veronica ends up in murderous situations with her new boyfriend, J.D. (Casey Likes). What follows is a terrifying tale where the teenagers of Westerberg High start dying off in quick succession.

It is undeniable that the cast of Heathers is fully stacked. Courtney is incredible as Veronica, with vocals that left me beyond impressed every time she hit a run. She also captures the essence of an intelligent yet naive teenager well. Her facial expressions during the song Our Love is God are so perfect. Similarly, anyone who saw Likes portray Marty McFly in Back to the Future will immediately recognize his acting ability, as he is downright scary in Heathers! As for the Heathers themselves, understudy Sara Al-Bazali was on for Heather Chandler, usually played by McKenzie Kurtz, and she, Olivia Hardy, and Elizabeth Teeter have the crowd in the palms of their hands from the moment they appear on stage. It’s worth seeing Heathers just to experience the immense talent of this cast alone!

Moreover, I will say that the content of Heathers did feel a bit dated to me. Yes, the show is set in the 1980s and based on a movie from the same time period, but do we really need to keep gay slurs in the script? In the same way, while I understand that the show is meant to be satire and a social commentary on the high school experience, the fun, upbeat, and poppy songs sometimes feel as if the show is marginalizing topics such as violence in schools, bullying and suicide. Heathers therefore feels similar to The Book of Mormon, where in the process of using dark comedy to joke about serious issues, negative ideals are perpetuated. Perhaps if the theatre wasn’t filled with cosplaying young folks who joyfully scream at the conclusion of each song, I wouldn’t be as concerned with whether the messages of Heathers are being received literally or figuratively in today’s social and political climate.

That being said, Heathers is an electrifying musical with very catchy songs. The set functions well as it transitions from the high school to the students’ homes to even a 7-11. I also really enjoyed the lighting in the show, specifically in Candy Store, where the Heathers are drenched in their signature red, green, and yellow colors. While I would love to see some rewrites to the Heathers story to strengthen the satire and update it for a 2025 crowd, I was very impressed with this off-broadway production. If you enjoy dark comedies, Heathers is certainly an excellent option, especially considering the current cast. However, I would strongly recommend looking up content warnings in advance, and keep in mind this show is not appropriate for kids.

STAGE DOOR

The Stage Door at New World Stages is on 49th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. It is on the opposite side of the main door to the theatre on 50th Street. I typically take a right when I exit the theatre and cut through Worldwide Plaza before taking another right. You will see barricades and security set up at the Stage Door itself. Most of the cast came out to sign Playbills and take selfies with those who asked. Casey Likes stopped to wave and say hi to everyone before heading to another event, and Lorna Courtney did not come out to sign. The crowd was very polite and respectful, and all of the actors were very friendly and gracious. It was a great way to end the evening!

Follow me on Instagram to see my vlog of seeing Heathers HERE.

Broadway Review | Just in Time

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Just in Time

Playing at Circle in the Square Theatre

Musical or play? Musical

Lottery or Rush Tickets? $40.00 In Person Rush Tickets

What I Paid: $199.00

My Rating: ★★★★

Official Website: https://justintimebroadway.com/

Tony Award® winner Jonathan Groff (Merrily We Roll Along, Hamilton) is back on Broadway and is “onstage perfection” (Chicago Tribune) as Bobby Darin, the legendary singer whose short but remarkable life took him from teen idol to global sensation. Developed and directed by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge!, Beetlejuice), with a book by Warren Leight and Isaac Oliver, Just In Time is an “utterly electrifying” (Entertainment Weekly) new musical that immerses audiences into an intimate nightclub “so seductive in ambiance that you find yourself not wanting to go back outside” (Chicago Tribune). Complete with iconic Bobby Darin hits including “Beyond the Sea,” “Mack the Knife,” “Splish Splash,” and “Dream Lover,” Just In Time is “a helluva good time at the theater” (Time Out).

REVIEW

If not for Jonathan Groff starring in this bio-jukebox musical chronicling the life and career of Bobby Darin, I would not have spent a Tuesday night in the basement of Wicked. Thankfully, Groff was enough to lure me to the Circle in the Square for a one-of-a-kind Broadway experience that will always have a special place in my heart.

I purchased a full price ticket in advance directly from the box office online, as Just in Time has been selling over capacity consistently since its run began. Since this theatre is set up primarily in the round, there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. I was in Row F on the left side of the main stage, and had a fully, unobstructed view. The cast also moves around the entire floor section quite a bit throughout the show, so many audience members have the opportunity to be in the Groff “splash zone” at one point or another. If you do choose to splurge on table seats, the actors will likely interact with you, and you will essentially be part of the show.

Similarly, the set and theatre really create a unique experience for Broadway-goers. From the moment you walk into the nightclub-like set-up, you feel as if you have entered a different dimension. This is amplified by the show itself, as Groff breaks the fourth wall right from the start of the show by introducing himself as the actor who will be playing your Bobby Darin, and by sharing his personal connection to the music. Not only does this interaction create a special bond with the audience, but Groff goes so far as to outright mention how the magic of live theatre is encompassed in what happens inside the room at that specific moment, as it can never again be recreated in the same way. As someone who shares this sentiment, I found it quite emotional to hear these words out loud.

Moreover, the plot of Just in Time is similar to other musicals of the same vein, following the life of Bobby Darin while featuring his music throughout the show. While I did learn a lot about Darin, and found myself very touched at certain moments, I also felt myself thinking that this style of musical is overdone. Similar to The Neil Diamond Musical A Beautiful Noise, which I saw in 2023, the best moments of Just in Time are the big musical numbers. I’m not sure how I feel about these biographical shows focusing on people who yearn to be famous all while making questionable decisions, such as Darin essentially stealing from other artists in an attempt to gain popularity. Perhaps Just in Time is a good reminder that those musicians who seem larger than life are mere humans after all.

In the end, I left Just in Time grateful to have experienced a few hours in the presence of Jonathan Groff. He is in his element in this show, and it is clear he is born to be a performer. That being said, it will be interesting to see if Just in Time has a life outside of Groff. The show is, in many ways, built around him as a person, and likely requires some rewrites if another star steps into the leading role. Thus, if you have the opportunity (and the funds!) to see Just in Time, I do think Groff is worth the price of admission, and he is very well supported by a talented cast and band.

STAGE DOOR

The Stage Door at the Circle in the Square is directly to your left when you exit. There will be barricades set up around the perimeter, and security will keep you well informed along the way. We were told that some of the performers do sign Playbills, but that Jonathan has never come out at Stage Door. We were very fortunate to have four cast members sign our Playbills: Lance Roberts, Emily Bergl, Gracie Lawrence, and Ericka Henningsen. This Stage Door experience was not only well organized, but all of the audience members were polite and respectful. It was a great way to end the night.

See my vlog from Just in Time on Instagram HERE.

Regional Theatre Review | Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Played at American Repertory Theatre

Musical or play? Musical

Lottery or Rush Tickets? Digital Lottery was available on TodayTix

What I Paid: $93.00

My Rating: ★★★★

Official Website: https://twostrangersmusical.com/

An original, new musical comedy about timing, connections, and unexpected detours.

Meet Dougal, an impossibly upbeat Brit who has just landed in New York City for the first time to attend the wedding of the father he’s never met. Meet Robin, the sister of the bride and a no-nonsense New Yorker with a lot of errands to do for the bride—including picking up the groom’s estranged son from the airport.

These two strangers begin their journey together navigating New York City, secrets, and second chances. The Boston Globe raves Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) is “IRRESISTIBLE! Clever, funny, and delightfully surprising!”

REVIEW

After concluding its North American Premiere at the American Repertory Theatre (“A.R.T.”) in Cambridge, MA earlier this summer, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) has announced that it is opening on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre with previews beginning on November 1, 2025. Seeing this show during its first run on this side of the Atlantic was a priority for me, as I heard rave reviews not only from online theatre creators, but from people I know in real life as well. I was able to catch this romantic comedy during its closing weekend at A.R.T., and am excited to share my thoughts on this show with all of you.

Two Strangers follows Dougal, a young British man who visits New York City for the first time to attend his estranged father’s wedding, and Robin, the sister of Dougal’s soon-to-be stepmother who picks him up from the airport. While Dougal is energetic and excited, Robin is beat up by life and doesn’t have the time (or desire!) to play tour guide. What follows is a whirlwind adventure where this unlikely duo discovers they may be more compatible than they initially realized.

Our two-person cast consists of Sam Tutty as Dougal and Christiani Pitts as Robin. Tutty is an endearing and lovable cinnamon role as soon as he enters the stage. You can’t help but be enamored with his romanticized view of New York City. Pitts, on the other hand, is the perfect counterbalance. She feels authentically New York with her matter-of-fact demeanor. What is truly magnificent, however, is this duo’s chemistry. Tutty and Pitts play off one another seamlessly, both in the comedic scenes and the serious ones.

Moreover, the show itself is, overall, a joy to watch. The first act is filled with fun and excitement, with the closer “American Express” leaving me with a giant smile on my face. Things do take a bit of a turn in the second act, and my only real critique of the show is that some dark topics are introduced, but quickly glazed over. While those scenes do give the show a touch of reality, they also left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. I almost wish Two Strangers leaned full on into its “rom-com” status, even if that means the story is a little too good to be true. Nonetheless, the musical wraps up beautifully, and I left with tears in my eyes but a smile on my face.

Finally, the set design at A.R.T. consisted of a turntable with larger-than-life luggage that easily transformed throughout the show to reveal different pieces of furniture and props. This was a clever set-up that functioned flawlessly as scenes transitioned from one to another. It will be interesting to see if this same design will be used on the Broadway stage. What is sure to be quite magical as Two Strangers heads to its namesake city is the setting. The show, set during the Christmas season, will open at the same time, and will play perfectly to both local New York City audiences and tourists alike. If you are looking for a cozy and celebratory musical to see this season, I highly recommend Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York).

Watch my vlog of seeing Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) on Instagram HERE.