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Jeevan Braich (Starlight Express) - INTERVIEW
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On June 22nd Mickey-Jo produced and hosted another evening of his regular Cabaret chat show, MickeyJoTheatre: LIVE! at the Phoenix Arts Club.
One of his guests for the evening was the award winning rising star Jeevan Braich, who was cast as Rusty, starring in the West End return of STARLIGHT EXPRESS last year, and has recently returned to the role.
When they sat down together, they talked through the mechanics of singing on wheels, what it was like performing at the Olivier Awards, and his relationship with theatrical giants like Dame Arlene Phillips and Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber.
About Mickey-Jo:
As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: MickeyJoTheatre is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 95,000 subscribers. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre
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High Society (Barbican Theatre, London) - ★★★★ REVIEW
24:11|A new revival of the Cole Porter scored musical HIGH SOCIETY has opened at the Barbican in London.The production, which is based on the movie musical of the same name, is one of the largest stagings in the show's history and seems to seek to rival Anything Goes for joyous, all-dancing scale.Check out what Mickey-Jo thought of the show, having seen 3 other productions in the past, and whether it works on this large scale...check out Mickey-Jo's substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction02:35 | overview / material11:17 | performances16:19 | creative choices22:24 | conclusionthe truth behind the texting drama at Inter Alia | why Rosamund Pike spoke out after her performance
26:40|Conversation has once more turned to audience behaviour and theatre etiquette after Rosamund Pike spoke out about texting during a performance of Inter Alia.Pike, after completing her Olivier Award winning performance in the West End play, returned to the stage in order to beseech the audience not to pierce the trust between actor and audience.The question, then, is whether audience behaviour can be wholly dictated by those onstage, what constitutes disrespect and how do we combat a decreasing capacity for interpersonal empathy in the stalls?check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction03:25 | what happened?14:34 | is there more to it?25:24 | conclusionTitaníque (St James Theatre, Broadway) - ★★★★★ REVIEW
29:04|The hit parody musical TITANIQUE, from Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli, and Tye Blue, has opened at the St James Theatre on Broadway.The show, which parodies the popular 1997 James Cameron film Titanic, features the songs of the iconic Celine Dione as it wittily retells the story of Jack, Rose, and the fateful iceberg.Check out this full video review for Mickey-Jo's thoughts on why the show's material works as well as it does, whether it succeeds on Broadway, and what the current cast is like.Don't forget to comment below with your thoughts about TITANIQUE, whether you've already seen it on Broadway, or elsewhere around the world!•00:00 | introduction02:22 | the origin story08:07 | why it works15:54 | the returning cast 22:27 | the new additions27:40 | conclusionCan Mickey-Jo and Aeron James predict the 2026 Tony Awards? | which Broadway actors, plays and musicals will win this year?
56:15|This weekend, the 2026 Tony Awards will be held at Radio City Music Hall, celebrating the best of another year of Broadway theatre.This year's nominated plays and musicals include The Lost Boys, Schmigadoon!, Cats: the Jellicle Ball, Ragtime, Death of a Salesman, Giant, Oedipus, Liberation, The Balusters, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), Titaníque, and more.Check out this video to find out who and what Mickey-Jo and his stagey fiancé @AeronJames think will win at this year's ceremony...•00:00 | introduction02:32 | the performances18:26 | direction / writing31:27 | technical / design44:47 | the shows55:07 | conclusionBroadway's Best and Worst Plays REVIEW ROUNDUP (Giant, Proof, Dog Day Afternoon, Joe Turner's Come and Gone)
33:59|Last month, Micey-Jo saw 23 shows in 2 weeks in New York, including these 4 Broadway plays:• Proof at the Booth Theatre• Giant at the Music Box Theatre• Joe Turner's Come and Gone at the Barrymore Theatre• Dog Day Afternoon at the August Wilson TheatreThese productions have been recognised as some of the most and least artistically successful new productions of the season, and today Mickey-Jo is sharing his verdict on each.Check out what Mickey-Jo thought of the writing, creative choices, and performances!check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction01:47 | Proof11:11 | Giant18:56 | Joe Turner's Come and Gone26:24 | Dog Day AfternoonBeetlejuice (Prince Edward Theatre, West End) - ★★★ REVIEW
28:18|The fan favourite musical BEETLEJUICE, which has haunted three Broadway houses since it first premiered, has finally made its way to the West End.The musical adaptation of the classic film opened last night at the Prince Edward Theatre in London and stars David Fynn as the ghost with the most.Check out Mickey-Jo's first ever review of the show, which he's now seen on either side of the Atlantic, including his thoughts about this production, its material, and its standout performances...•00:00 | introduction02:27 | the production10:29 | the material18:32 | performances26:41 | conclusionThe Rocky Horror Show (Studio 54, Broadway) - ★★★★ REVIEW
26:47|A few weeks ago, Mickey-Jo saw the new Broadway revival of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Studio 54.This production, presented by Roundabout Theatre Company, is directed by Sam Pinkleton and stars Luke Evans as Dr Frank n Furter with a cast that also includes Stephanie Hsu, Amber Gray, Andrew Durand, Juliette Lewis, MJ Rodriguez, Rachel Dratch, and more.Check out what Mickey-Jo thought of this new creative interpretation as a longtime fan of the show, as well as its relationship to its audience and the infamous callout culture...•00:00 | introduction02:44 | this revival09:36 | the audience problem17:46 | creative choices / performances24:52 | conclusionwhy CHESS is closing early on Broadway | the reason the revival will end when Lea Michele leaves
28:21|In breaking Broadway news, it was just announced that the current revival of CHESS at the Imperial Theatre will end its run earlier than planned, on June 21st.The musical, first seen on stage in the 1980s, depicts a chess-centred love triangle in the midst of cold war tensions, written by Benny Anderson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Sir Tim Rice. This new production, with a rewritten book by Danny Strong, stars Lea Michele (Funny Girl), Nicholas Christopher (Sweeney Todd), and Aaron Tveit (Moulin Rouge! the Musical) as well as Bryce Pinkham and Hannah Cruz.The show will now end with the departure of leading lady Lea Michele, but that's just one of the factors to consider when we answer the question: why is Chess closing early...?•00:00 | introduction03:08 | closing details13:08 | the reasons why21:16 | what comes next?26:37 | conclusionwhy Kim Kardashian is a Broadway Producer now | the reasons behind theatre's new celebrity producers
28:31|An emerging trend on Broadway over the last few years has been the substantial arrival of celebrity co-producers - influential figures, entertainment stars and beloved personalities who use their platforms, connections and reputation to help bolster a newly opened show's credibility.This is under particular scrutiny this season, with the likes of Michelle and Barrack Obama, Neil Patrick Harris, Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers, and Cynthia Erivo being joined as producers of new shows by Kim Kardashian.Kardashian has joined the producing team of The Fear of 13 in her capacity as a criminal justice reform advocate, and in doing so has sparked the conversation Mickey-Jo is eager to have today - why are there so many celebrities producing on Broadway, what do they actually have to do, what are the benefits of this to the shows, and does Mickey-Jo foresee any problems as this practice gains popularity?check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction03:16 | how does it work?13:28 | the mutual benefits22:36 | will there be problems?