As part of their year in search, Google have exclusively shared with Mickey-Jo the top 10 most searched London Theatre tickets of 2024, with some surprising results!With new arrivals to the West End dominating the list, do you think film adaptations like Mean Girls and Mrs Doubtfire will have proved the most intriguing to audiences, or star casting in shows like The Devil Wears Prada and Romeo & Juliet?Find out in today's brand new episode where Mickey-Jo is revealing the top 10 most searche...
Dec 10, 2024•22 min
When Mickey-Jo was last in New York he saw more than 20 Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, including a handful of plays.In this roundup of reviews of off-Broadway musicals, he'll be sharing my thoughts on:- TEETH at New World Stages, having transferred from a hugely successful run at Playwright's Horizons- LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at the Westside Theatre, which recently welcomed Sherie Rene Scott and Nicholas Christopher to the cast- WE LIVE IN CAIRO at the New York Theatre Workshop which tells the ...
Dec 10, 2024•55 min
Mickey-Jo recently had the privilege of sitting down to interview VIRGINIA GAY, who has written and stars in a thrilling, queer retelling of CYRANO, which he loved earlier this year at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.The show transfers this month to the Park Theatre in London where it will play between 11th December and 11th January.Check out Mickey-Jo and Virginia's animated conversation about this love letter to the theatre, the exciting possibilities of re-examining classic material, and the im...
Dec 07, 2024•26 min
The latest new musical to open in London's West End is THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, an all singing, all dancing adaptation of the hit 2006 film which starred Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, and Emily Blunt.This stage version, newly directed by Jerry Mitchell, stars Georgie Buckland as Andy, with Vanessa Williams taking on the iconic role of Miranda Priestley. Matt Henry, Amy di Bartolomeo, Rhys Whitfield, and James Darch complete the principal cast while Sir Elton John, Shaina Taub and Kate Wetherhead fo...
Dec 07, 2024•37 min
When Mickey-Jo was last in New York he saw more than 20 Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, including a handful of plays.In this roundup of reviews, he will be sharing his thoughts on:- THE ROOMMATE, by Leigh Silverman and starring Patti LuPone and Mia Farrow at the Booth Theatre.- THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA, by Jez Butterworth which transferred from the West End to New York's Broadhurst Theatre.- YELLOW FACE by David Henry Hwan in a new production directed by Leigh Silverman, starring Daniel Dae Kim....
Dec 04, 2024•27 min
THE LIGHTNING THIEF: the Percy Jackson musical, is an adaptation of the popular Rick Riordan young adult novel which was seen on Broadway in late 2019.The production has maintained popularity with a young audience and is now enjoying a London production at the Other Palace Theatre starring Max Harwood (Everybody's Talking about Jamie, Stranger Things the First Shadow).Check out Mickey-Jo's full review of the show to find out what he thought about the material, creative choices and performances a...
Dec 03, 2024•23 min
This year, the theatre world has enjoyed two particularly high profile productions of the William Shakespeare tragedy ROMEO AND JULIET.The first of these took place at the Duke of York's Theatre in the West End and was directed by Jamie Lloyd, with Tom Holland and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers starring as the titular characters.In a subsequent Broadway production, meanwhile, staged at New York's Circle in the Square Theater, Sam Gold directed Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor as those star-crossed lovers...
Nov 29, 2024•40 min
Mickey-Jo was recently invited to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at the Ambassadors Theatre in the West End.This enchanting new musical adapts the F. Scott Fitzgerald story of the same name but relocates the action to a fishing village in early 20th century Cornwall.Check out Mickey-Jo's full review to find out what he thought about this show...•00:00 | introduction01:53 | the narrative08:16 | the material14:06 | creative choices16:38 | performances• About Mickey-Jo: As one of the leadi...
Nov 29, 2024•23 min
The Broadway revival of CABARET, currently playing at the August Wilson Theatre in New York, has recently welcomed Adam Lambert to the cast as their new Emcee.Lambert, who is best known as a vocalist and lately a frontman for Queen, has replaced Olivier Award winner Eddie Redmayne who opened this production when it first started in London.Check out this mini review for Mickey-Jo's thoughts on Lambert's performance and how it's affected the entire production.•00:00 | introduction02:18 | history /...
Nov 27, 2024•23 min
Mickey-Jo attended an early screening of WICKED, the long-awaited film adaptation of the long-running, hugely popular stage musical currently seen both on Broadway and in the West End. After having shared his spoiler-free thoughts from an advance screening of the film earlier this week, Mickey-Jo is now bringing you his more detailed, spoiler inclusive review of the film discussing everything from changes to the plot, to the affected character arcs and even some exciting cameo appearances!The 20...
Nov 23, 2024•47 min
Tonight Mickey-Jo attended an early screening of WICKED, the long-awaited film adaptation of the long-running, hugely popular stage musical currently seen both on Broadway and in the West End.The 2024 feature film, which is the first in a two part series, has been directed by Jon M Chu and stars Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple) as Elphaba, pop star Ariana Grande (13 the Musical) as Glinda, and Jonathan Bailey (Company) as Fiyero. The supporting cast also includes Marissa Bode, Ethan Slater, Mich...
Nov 20, 2024•19 min
The latest drama in the theatre industry has been the backlash to social media activity from Nicole Scherzinger who currently stars as Norma Desmond in the Broadway revival of SUNSET BOULEVARD.In the wake of this month's US presidential election, Scherzinger appeared to have engaged with pro-Trump posts on instagram, prompting onlookers to react to this presumed political admission.Check out today's episode for a recap of this news, its context and Mickey-Jo's thoughts on the ongoing discourse.....
Nov 19, 2024•32 min
One of a handful of new musicals to open on Broadway this month is TAMMY FAYE, the musical story of the life of the controversial evangelist Tammy Faye Bakker.Having seen the show's world premiere production at the Almeida Theatre in London in 2022, Mickey-Jo was eager to catch the show's New York transfer at the recently refurbished Palace Theatre.This new production, directed by Rupert Goold stars Olivier Award winner Katie Brayben alongside Tony Award winners Christian Borle and Michael Cerve...
Nov 16, 2024•32 min
On Mickey-Jo's most recent trip to New York, one of the many new musicals he saw was MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, and it instantly became his favourite Broadway show.The musical, which first premiered in South Korea, and has been written by Will Aaronson and Hue Park, stars Darren Criss and Helen J Shen as a pair of retired robots who go on a road trip together.Check out this full review to find out why Mickey-Jo loved this show so much, as well as which creative choices make it feel like a charming anim...
Nov 16, 2024•31 min
Mickey-Jo is currently in New York City on a trip motivated largely by the current concert staging of RAGTIME at New York City Center.The annual gala presentation production stars Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, Brandon Uranowitz and more, and features a striking score including 'Wheels of a Dream', 'Back to Before', and 'Make Them Hear You'.Check out this full review for Mickey-Jo's thoughts on this production, the material, the sublime cast, and even the viability of a Broadway transfer.•00:00 | i...
Nov 16, 2024•34 min
One of the most anticipated shows of Mickey-Jo's most recent trip back to New York has been the new production of ROMEO & JULIET at The Circle in the Square Theatre on Broadway.This new staging of the show is directed by Sam Gold and stars Kit Connor (Heartstopper) and Rachel Zegler (West Side Story).Check out this full review for his thoughts on the new production, its popular stars, as well as the inevitable comparison to the West End production earlier this year which starred Tom Holland....
Nov 16, 2024•41 min
The popular Broadway musical adaptation of The Great Gatsby is heading to London in 2025 with a 6 month limited run at the London Coliseum!The show, which premiered at Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey in 2023 currently stars Jeremy Jordan (Newsies, Bonnie and Clyde) and Eva Noblezada (Hadestown, Miss Saigon).Check out today's news recap to find out everything we know so far about this newly announced production, which show it is rumoured to be replacing and what this means for the Florence Wel...
Nov 06, 2024•20 min
It has recently been announced that three separate Broadway musicals would all close within the next few months.These shows are SUFFS, BACK TO THE FUTURE the musical, and WATER FOR ELEPHANTS.In today's episode Mickey-Jo talks through the many reasons why each of these shows is ending their run as well as providing some commentary on the current Broadway landscape...•00:00 | introduction 05:58 | Water for Elephants12:10 | Suffs20:05 | Back to the Future27:41 | wider thoughts• About Mickey-Jo: As ...
Oct 30, 2024•31 min
In breaking theatrical news, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and producer Michael Harrison have jointly announced details about their next new musical collaboration in an exclusive interview with Deadline's Baz Bamigboye.Based on the film THE ILLUSIONIST, the new project will be Lloyd Webber's first new musical venture since BAD CINDERELLA and will see him collaborating with screenwriter Chris Terrio and musician Bruno Major. It will also be directed by Jamie Lloyd, the Olivier Award winning direct...
Oct 28, 2024•28 min
Earlier today it was announced that WHY AM I SO SINGLE? the new musical from the writers of Six, currently running at the Garrick Theatre in London, would conclude its West End run and close on 19th January 2025.The show, which opened at the Garrick Theatre in the West End, has been written by Tony Award winners Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, whose first collaboration SIX: THE MUSICAL has gone from Edinburgh Fringe hit to global sensation.In today's news recap they'll be talking through the reasons ...
Oct 25, 2024•35 min
This week Mickey-Jo had the opportunity to sit down with the composer Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family, The Wild Party, Big Fish) to discuss the upcoming European premiere of his theatrical work: I AM HARVEY MILK.The piece will have two performances on Sunday 27th October at Cadogan Hall in London and will star Joel Harper Jackson and Sierra Boggess, with Vanessa Williams and Alex Jennings hosting a performance each.Check out the full interview for their conversations about his body of work, musi...
Oct 24, 2024•31 min
How did the Olivier Award winning revival of SUNSET BOULEVARD fare when it officially opened for the New York press last weekend?The production, a revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical in a bold new staging by Jamie Lloyd starring Nicole Scherzinger, recently opened at the St James Theatre on Broadway, in New York.Check out this episode for an overview of a selection of the Broadway reviews and Mickey-Jo's own thoughts on them as an independent critic.•00:00 | introduction05:06 | New York T...
Oct 23, 2024•57 min
The 2010s Broadway set NBC TV show SMASH is heading to Broadway in real life, and will play at the Imperial Theatre in New York in Spring 2025.The roles of Ivy and Karen, played on screen by Megan Hilty and Kathatine McPhee, will be played by Robyn Hurder and Caroline Bowman, with a starry cast playing brand new roles.Check out today's theatre news recap for all the information we have so far as well as Mickey-Jo's thoughts!•00:00 | introduction03:20 | SMASH history08:14 | cast + creatives17:45 ...
Oct 22, 2024•22 min
Based on the novel by Terry Ronald, the musical BECOMING NANCY has recently opened at Birmingham Rep in the UK and features a book by Elliot Davis and a score from Stiles and Drewe.The show stars Joseph Peacock as David Starr, a boy cast unexpectedly in the role of Nancy in his school production of OLIVER! He is supported by a talented cast including Rebecca Trehearn, Genevieve Nicole, Paige Peddie, Joseph Vella, Stephen Ashfield, Richard Meek, and more.Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts about this ...
Oct 18, 2024•34 min
Mickey-Jo recently had the chance to sit down with global musical theatre star Keala Settle (Waitress, Les Misérables, & Juliet) to discuss her upcoming appearance in the new musical FLY MORE THAN YOU FALL at Southwark Playhouse in London.Known to audiences for her role in The Greatest Showman as well as various stage performances, Keala is also a Tony Award and Drama Desk nominee who will appear in the upcoming Wicked movie.In this brief interview, during the show's final rehearsals before ...
Oct 18, 2024•21 min
AD | The first 500 people to use my link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: https://skl.sh/mickeyjotheatre10241•There are plenty of stage musicals set in high schools, from Grease to Heathers, and today Mickey-Jo has come up with a numerical approach to figure out which of them is the best.Rating every show based on its material, global success and depiction of the high school experience, we're ranking shows from Mean Girls to Dear Evan Hansen.Check it out to find out which 'high schoo...
Oct 14, 2024•42 min
Season 3 of the hugely popular Netflix series HEARTSTOPPER (based on the young adult graphic novel series from Alice Oseman) recently released and Mickey-Jo has already watched every episode.On the back of the show's enormous popularity, many of its cast have become popular stars and are forging exciting careers which include the theatre, though some are no stranger to the stage.From Kit Connor in Romeo + Juliet and Joe Locke in Sweeney Todd on Broadway to Rhea Norwood in Cabaret in the West End...
Oct 11, 2024•27 min
Those of you who have been watching videos for some time may remember Mickey-Jo's less than positive review for the musical adaptation of 101 DALMATIANS at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre some summers ago.Well, the show is now back in a revised production on tour and recently Mickey-Jo headed to the New Victoria Theatre in Woking to find out if he liked this version any better.Starring Kym Marsh as Cruella De Vil with Faye Tozer and Kerry Ellis taking on the role at select venues, find out what M...
Oct 11, 2024•33 min
Sunset Boulevard is getting talked about again on social media for its impressive act 2 stunt - but not entirely for good reasons.The production, a revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical in a bold new staging by Jamie Lloyd starring Nicole Scherzinger, recently began previews at the St James Theatre on Broadway in New York and has encountered a couple of issues with their updated 'route'.During the show's second act, its Olivier Award winning leading man Tom Francis sings the titular number ...
Oct 08, 2024•29 min
If you're not sure what to see in New York over the next few months and you're looking for the best plays and musicals on and off-Broadway, check out this brand new guide to the most exciting theatre this fall with more than 20 recommended shows!From Sunset Boulevard and Oh Mary! on Broadway to the transfers of Teeth and the new cast of Little Shop of Horrors as well as Romeo + Juliet with Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor, check out the shows Mickey-Jo thinks are the most exciting.Make sure to comme...
Oct 05, 2024•33 min
