Apple TV’s ‘Schmigadoon’ was made for someone like me. I mean, where do I start? It’s a show about a musical, and it is itself a musical. It has musical numbers, with references to famous musicals in almost every frame. Sure, it pokes fun of them, too, but in a cute ribbing way – and you have to get the references anyway to feel any kind of sting. It’s truly wonderful.
I have seen the first two episodes and I am in love with it (I had to rewatch them right away) It is about a married couple, both doctors, who go on some kind of couples retreat to add some spice to their relationship. And wonder of all wonders, they get stuck in a place called Schmigadoon, a town stuck in the musical wonders of the 40s and 50s. Think an amalgamation of ‘Oklahoma!,’ ‘Carousel,’ and ‘The Music Man.’ It’s the kind of place where people burst into song and just burst into full-blown production numbers instantly, and you will either love it or hate it (I say you love)
The highlight for me, in the first episode anyway, is a scene reminiscent of the Carousel bench scene, with Aaron Tveit starring as Danny (think Billy Bigelow) falling madly in love with Melanie, one of the doctor visitors. It’s corny, it’s cute, and Tveit is just pure perfection. The musical numbers are all great, Christopher Gattelli’s choreography is spot on. And spotting all the references will be such a good ‘game’ to spot for a musicals nerd like me.
I am so in love with this show that this is probably never going to be renewed.
‘Moulin Rouge,’ now playing at The Al Hirschfeld Theater, was my birthday gift to myself. The ticket price was steep, but I know my self-worth and I more than deserve it. I knew the show wasn’t going to be deep, more fun that’s trashy and easy to digest. I confess remembering that I liked the film version, but honestly, don’t remember too much from it besides the fact that it starred Nicole Kidman.
Grease Live! was sensational. And going into it, I was a skeptic. I mean, Fox. But I should have known – Thomas Kail, who directed Hamilton, is on the helm so I was at the very least expecting something new (or new-ish, anyway) And he did – he incorporated what is best in a television program to what is an okay musical at best – the stage version, for sure, although I do have very fond memories of the film. Here is a case where what was changed or what was added didn’t infuriate me, as I am a theater purist at heart. And, it was well-cast. Aaron Tveit as Danny Zuko didn;t have oodles of ravolta goofball charm – and he is marginally bland – but he has great talent: a great voice and can essay Zach Woodley’s dance moves very well. Julianne Hough, as Sandy, surprised me. For me, she isn’t perfect (I did cringe at her ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’) and we knew she would ace the dance sequences, but she didn’t annoy me, and for her that was a major feat because just looking at her annoys me. And the not-should-have-beenn-a-revelation? Vanessa Hudgens. Forget the back story of her father passing away the night before the performance, but she is sensational here – sly, wink-y, likable – and easily the best performer of the evening.
Luha Thoughts 