West End and Broadway star Ramin Karimloo has led some of the world's most iconic musicals, including The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, and more, and has performed as an actor on major stages around the world. Mickey-Jo sat down with Ramin last week to discuss Roam, the new musical he'll be leading in concert next month at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London alongside a stellar cast including Jordan Luke Gage, Diego Andres Rodriguez, Frances Mayli McCann, and more. Check out what he had to...
Oct 19, 2025•27 min
Mickey-Jo recently returned to the West End production of HADESTOWN at the Lyric Theatre to see the show's newest cast member, Nicola Roberts, in the role of Persephone. Nicola, who is best known for having been a member of the pop group Girls Aloud, made her West End debut five years ago in the sadly short lived revival of CITY OF ANGELS, and now returns to the stage to join a talented cast in the Tony Award winning musical which includes Cedric Neal, Chris Jarman, Desmonda Cathabel, and Dylan ...
Oct 18, 2025•30 min
It has been announced that a new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS will be among next summer's season at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. This new, outdoor production, to be directed and choreographed by the venue's artistic director Drew McOnie, is the latest in a string of non-replica stagings of the musical. Find out everything we know so far about the upcoming revival, what we can infer about its creative possibilities, and who Mickey-Jo would like to see among its cast... • 00:00 | in...
Oct 18, 2025•26 min
One of the most anticipated, major theatrical openings of 2026 is the world premiere of THE GREATEST SHOWMAN. The long awaited and hugely anticipated stage adaptation of the live action movie musical begins performances in Bristol in March 2026 ahead of an expected West End run. Today, the cast for this production has been announced as well as the full creative team, and Mickey-Jo is discussing both in order to learn more about the hopefully great show... • 00:00 | introduction 01:52 | leading r...
Oct 16, 2025•27 min
This week, Mickey-Jo had the chance to sit down with one of his favourite performers, the brilliant Melanie La Barrie. Mel is currently appearing in Mary Page Marlowe at the Old Vic and rehearsing for three upcoming concert performances of a new musical based on The Book Thief. Best known to audiences for starring in & Juliet in the West End and on Broadway, and for her WhatsOnStage Award winning performance in Hadestown, Mel has enjoyed a multi-decade career on stage that has included roles...
Oct 14, 2025•31 min
One of the Royal Shakespeare Company's latest openings is a new adaptation of CYRANO DE BERGERAC starring Adrian Lester. The new text has been written by Director Simon Evans with the grime poet Debris Stevenson. Having seen multiple different interpretations of this narrative, find out why Mickey-Jo thought this one was, perhaps, definitive in this full review. • 00:00 | introduction 02:01 | synopsis 05:40 | this adaptation 12:03 | creative choices 17:49 | the design 21:13 | performances 27:09 ...
Oct 14, 2025•28 min
In the current Broadway season, one of the most anticipated new musicals is the upcoming stage adaptation of THE LOST BOYS. With the show having recently started revealing its material and announced its principal cast, Mickey-Jo is sharing thoughts and insights about everything we know about it so far. • 00:00 | introduction 02:40 | what is the show about? 08:36 | the producers / creatives 15:32 | who is in the cast? 21:32 | thoughts on the material 27:58 | will the show be a hit? About Mickey-J...
Oct 13, 2025•33 min
Last weekend Mickey-Jo flew to San Diego to catch one of the final performances of THE HEART, a new musical receiving its world premiere production at La Jolla Playhouse. The show, written by Ian and Anne Eisendrath and Kait Kerrigan, combines a medical drama plot with an EDM score in order to tell the story of a life saving heart transplant. Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts about the show, the sensation of experiencing an electronic score on stage, and the potential for this musical to head to Br...
Oct 12, 2025•27 min
In what will surely be one of this season's most shocking casting announcements, it was revealed earlier today that social media personality Trisha Paytas would appear on Broadway, playing a limited stint in BEETLEJUICE. The production, which arrives after a major North American Tour and recently began performances at New York's Palace Theatre, will welcome Paytas in the role of Maxine Dean for 3 weeks in November. Check out Mickey-Jo's theatre news recap for all of the details we know so far as...
Oct 10, 2025•24 min
One of the earliest openings of the new Broadway season has been a production of WAITING FOR GODOT at the Hudson Theatre. This new production of the absurdist theatrical mainstay is directed by Jamie Lloyd and stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, reuniting the pair after they starred together on screen as Bill and Ted. Having not yet seen the production, Mickey-Jo is rounding up a handful of its Broadway Reviews to find out a little more about the reception to its leading performances and creativ...
Oct 10, 2025•41 min
Mickey-Jo finally caught the new London production of Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. The revival, which originated at the National Theatre last year, has since transferred to the Noel Coward Theatre in the West End with a largely new cast led by Stephen Fry, Olly Alexander, and more. Check out this full review for Mickey-Jo's thoughts on this vibrant new production, its queer subtext, and the exuberant performances... • 00:00 | introduction 01:54 | synopsis 06:48 | this productio...
Oct 09, 2025•27 min
With more and more discussion about the increasingly challenging Broadway landscape (including recently in the New York Times), Mickey-Jo is here to officially address the question: is Broadway dying? With record numbers of new openings and seemingly more shows than ever having failed to recoup their initial investments, the theatre industry is clearly experiencing a financial struggle, one compounded by troubling news about tax relief and a potential actors equity association strike. Check out ...
Oct 05, 2025•33 min
Another early 2000s movie has made its way to the stage, as the world premiere production of 13 GOING ON 30 the Musical opened at the Manchester Opera House. The show, which is based on the film starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo, stars Lucie Jones and David Hunter as Jenna Rink and Matt Flamhaff. Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts about this new musical, its material, creatives choices, and whether it needed to become a musical in the first place... • 00:00 | introduction 01:53 | does it wor...
Oct 03, 2025•38 min
It has been announced this week that the stage musical adaptation of the Apple TV+ series SCHMIGADOON is set to transfer to Broadway this season. The show, which premiered at the Kennedy Center, and follows an ordinary couple trapped in a golden age musical theatre parodying town, will open in April 2026 at the Nederlander Theatre. However, on the heels of SMASH, and with Broadway finances looking bleak, does Mickey-Jo expect this to be a success...? • 00:00 | introduction 02:19 | what is Schmig...
Oct 02, 2025•18 min
The latest movie to be adapted for the stage as a new musical is 50 FIRST DATES, and it opened last week at the Other Palace Theatre in London. The romantic comedy tells the story of Henry and Lucy and their hard-won journey to love, and stars Josh St Clair and Georgina Castle. Check out Mickey-Jo's full review for his thoughts on the show, its material, changes from the film, and the performances! • 00:00 | introduction 02:35 | how does the musical work? 09:46 | how could it improve? 16:06 | th...
Oct 01, 2025•33 min
Earlier this week, Mickey-Jo sat down with Cedric Neal, the US born West End star currently starring as Hermes in HADESTOWN at the Lyric Theatre. Cedric, an Olivier Award nominee for his performance as Nicely Nicely Johnson in the Bridge Theatre's innersive revival of GUYS & DOLLS, will star in a concert presentation of PERSONALITY: The Lloyd Price Musical. Check out what Cedric had to say about developing this new show, the career milestones that changed his life, and where he finds persona...
Sep 29, 2025•23 min
This week it was announced that musical theatre actors Carrie Hope Fletcher and Amber Davies would lead new UK Tours of Waitress and Legally Blonde respectively. While many are excited about the news, some have criticised the casting of these performers, either in preference of new, undiscovered talent or because they are also content creators with a large social profile. Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts on current trends in stage casting in the social media age, online fan behaviour, and whether ...
Sep 28, 2025•33 min
This week, the West End welcomed CLARKSTON, a play written by American playwright Samuel D Hunter, to the Trafalgar Theatre. This production, directed by Jack Serio, stars Joe Locke, Ruaridh Mollica, and Sophie Melville in a story about contemporary working class Americans reflecting on the pioneer age. Check out this full review for Mickey-Jo's thoughts on the play, its themes and performances, and whether it fits naturally in London... • 00:00 | introduction 02:00 | synopsis 10:23 | overall th...
Sep 27, 2025•28 min
It has finally been announced that the BEETLEJUICE, the stage musical adaptation of the cult film, will transfer to the west end next year. The production will open at the Prince Edward Theatre in London in May 2026. Check out this theatre news recap for Mickey-Jo's full thoughts about this long awaited news, ideas about casting, and insight into why the run is limited... • 00:00 | introduction 02:43 | West End details 08:44 | Broadway history 17:34 | casting thoughts 23:39 | will it be a hit? A...
Sep 26, 2025•30 min
The final, full trailer has now been released for WICKED: For Good, the hugely anticipated second part of the long awaited film adaptation of WICKED. The musical, which opened on Broadway just over 20 years ago, has already been adapted last year with the first instalment of a two part film adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Join Mickey-Jo and fellow theatrical enthusiast (and his stagey fiancé) Aeron James in reacting to the trailer for the first time and trying to learn as mu...
Sep 25, 2025•58 min
This evening, Mickey-Jo saw a new production of Jason Robert Brown's THE LAST FIVE YEARS at Reading Rep Theatre in Berkshire. The new revival of the musical, which will go on to play at the Barn Theatre in Cirencester and Theatre Royal Bath, stars Martha Kirby and Guy Woolf. Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts about this exciting new staging of the iconic show, and how it compared with the disappointing Broadway premiere production last season... • 00:00 | introduction 03:10 | synopsis / history 07:4...
Sep 24, 2025•40 min
This season, the Tony Award winning star of stage and screen, Kristin Chenoweth is getting ready to return to Broadway in the new musical THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES. The actress, who is best known for having played the role of Glinda in the original Broadway production of WICKED, has however become the focus of controversy after sharing a comment in response to the death of rightwing political podcaster Charlie Kirk. In today's theatre news recap, Mickey-Jo is talking through exactly what happened ...
Sep 23, 2025•34 min
Mickey-Jo recently shared some thoughts about a recent trend he had been noticing during curtain calls in the West End, and his comments proved polarising. By way of a fuller explanation, Mickey-Jo is sharing some expanded thoughts about applause at the theatre: when we do it, why we do it, and what his issue is. Share your thoughts about all things applause and curtain call in the comments! • 00:00 | introduction 03:22 | why do we applaud? 14:50 | the curtain call issue 24:44 | more thoughts......
Sep 22, 2025•34 min
A new revival of Mel Brooks' hit musical comedy THE PRODUCERS has arrived in the West End. The production, which stars Andy Nyman and Marc Antolin, was first staged by Patrick Marber at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London before transferring to the Garrick Theatre. Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts about the show, this new version of it, and whether it's really possible to creatively reinterpret an iconic stage classic. • 00:00 | introduction 02:35 | overview / this production 10:44 | performanc...
Sep 22, 2025•29 min
Mickey-Jo has been given the exciting opportunity to announce one of the cast members from the upcoming London Revival of INTO THE WOODS. The new production of the Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine musical, directed by Jordan Fein (Fiddler on the Roof) will play at the Bridge Theatre. Check out this exclusive first interview with the Katie Brayben (Tammy Faye, Beautiful, Girl From The North Country), who will take on the iconic role of The Baker's Wife to find out more about their thoughts on th...
Sep 22, 2025•21 min
This summer in London, one particular production dominated conversation among theatregoers, Evita at the London Palladium starring Rachel Zegler. But, alongside that heavyweight revival, were this summer's West End offerings a disappointment compared to the delights of last summer? Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts around the trends as he compares the West End programming in Summer 2024 and 2025 and share your own thoughts about the best show you saw this summer in the comments! • 00:00 | introduct...
Sep 12, 2025•23 min
Last weekend, Mickey-Jo was at the opening night performance of HERE & NOW, a new musical featuring the songs of STEPS, at the Manchester Opera House. The show, which has been written by Shaun Kitchener, combines the iconic pop group's catalogue with an original story, and is embarking on a UK & Ireland Tour. Check out what Mickey-Jo thought of the show, its performances, and how it adapts the popular tunes to the stage... • 00:00 | introduction 01:53 | overview / synopsis 11:51 | streng...
Sep 12, 2025•35 min
After previously announcing it would close on October 19th, the Broadway revival of CABARET has now confirmed it will conclude its run almost a month earlier, on September 21st. This news comes amidst a decline in weekly grosses, the departure of current star Billy Porter, and reports of a lawsuit being brought against the show's producers by a disenfranchised investor. In this new video, Mickey-Jo is shedding some light on the real reason for Cabaret's Broadway closure amidst the drama of its s...
Sep 09, 2025•38 min
Earlier this week, Mickey-Jo caught BORN WITH TEETH, a play by Liz Duffy Adams which brings the Elizabethan playwrights William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe into sizzling conversation. Starring Edward Bluemel and Ncuti Gatwa, the production, which is directed by Daniel Evans, recently opened at the Wyndham's Theatre in London. Check out this full review to find out whether Mickey-Jo enjoyed this play about the possibility of a personal and professional partnership between the two poets as...
Sep 07, 2025•19 min
The hit Broadway comedy play, created by Cole Escola, went from a downtown success at the Lucille Lortel Theatre to a sold-out, Tony Award winning juggernaut that continues to be one of New York's hottest tickets. Much of its ongoing success, after the stellar original performance of Cole Escola, can be attributed to the show's brilliant casting of replacement stars, including Betty Gilpin, Tituss Burgess, and Jinkx Monsoon. With Jane Krakowski newly announced as Broadway's next Mary Todd Lincol...
Sep 07, 2025•27 min
