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Let's discuss the MAYBE HAPPY ENDING casting | Mickey-Jo's thoughts on Broadway and representation
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Earlier today it was announced that stage and screen star Andrew Barth Feldman would join the cast of the Broadway musical MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, replacing Tony Award winner Darren Criss.
Andrew will co-star with his real life partner Helen J Shen who plays Claire, taking on the role of the helperbot Oliver.
Amidst some backlash as fans anticipated an Asian actor being cast in this role, Mickey-Jo is talking through the many facets of this nuanced conversation about casting and representation on Broadway...
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00:00 | introduction
02:32 | my first thoughts
07:07 | the other factors
12:55 | why race matters
18:41 | hope for the future
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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KENREX (The Other Palace Theatre, London) - ★★★★★ REVIEW
21:48|Among the alternative theatrical offerings in London this festive season is the return of KENREX, seen previously at Southwark Playhouse and now at The Other Palace.The creative feast of a show, featuring live music, is co written by Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian and brings true crime explosively to the stage.Check out this full review to find out more about the truly gripping show, and then book to see it for yourself...•00:00 | introduction03:22 | synopsis / overview08:17 | creative collaboration13:16 | highlight moments16:53 | shortcomings20:06 | conclusionOh, Mary! (Trafalgar Theatre, West End) - ★★★★ REVIEW
27:51|The hit comedy play OH, MARY! has finally arrived in the West End, opening earlier this week at London's Trafalgar Theatre.Stage and screen star Mason Alexander Park leads the production as Mary, a role originated by writer Cole Escola and played subsequently by performers including Betty Gilpin, Tituss Burgess, Jinkx Monsoon, and Jane Krakowski.Check out this full review to find out what the show's winning comedic formula is, how Mason's Mary compares with predecessors, and whether the show lands as successfully with a British audience...•00:00 | introduction03:46 | synopsis / overview09:35 | UK reaction / material15:44 | Mason as Mary20:17 | supporting cast24:40 | conclusionAre Ariana Grande & Jonathan Bailey really going to star in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE?
25:53|Following the recent cinematic release of WICKED: FOR GOOD, it has been rumoured that two of the musical adaptation's stars, Jonathan Bailey and Ariana Grande, will reunite on stage in a new revival of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE.The production, as yet unconfirmed, is slated to play a limited run in Summer 2027 at the Barbican Theatre in London.Check out this theatre news recap to find out the truth behind the rumours, what we know so far, and whether Mickey-Jo thinks the two screen stars are well suited to these leading roles...•00:00 | introduction 02:18 | origins of the rumour08:29 | what we know so far16:30 | are they right for this?24:14 | conclusionWhy is TITANIQUE going to Broadway?! | Thoughts on the cult hit musical's newly announced transfer
31:10|It was announced this week that the award winning off-Broadway cult hit musical TITANIQUE would finally transfer to Broadway.The parody musical will play a 16 week limited run at the St James Theatre, with original star and co-creator Marla Mindelle starring as Celine Dion.With many sharing thoughts about this unexpected news, check out what Mickey-Jo thinks, what the real goal of the run may in fact be, and what this tells us about the current state of the Broadway musical...•00:00 | introduction03:05 | history of Titanique09:46 | Broadway details18:43 | the real reason?25:42 | will it be a hit?31:10 | conclusionTwo Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York) (Longacre Theatre, Broadway) - ★★★★★ REVIEW
28:42|Last month, Mickey-Jo was in New York for the opening of the new musical, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) at the Longacre Theatre.The show, which previously played at the Kiln theatre and Criterion Theatre in London as well as the American Repertory Theatre, stars Sam Tutty and Christiani Pitts as Dougal and Robin.Check out what Mickey-Jo thought of the show, what it has in common with Maybe Happy Ending, and who would enjoy seeing the show in New York...•00:00 | introduction02:21 | synopsis / material09:31 | better in New York?14:48 | the performances20:54 | the creative choices- 37:35|Last month, WICKED: FOR GOOD, the second part of the film adaptation of the global musical phenomenon Wicked, finally arrived in cinemas.The film, directed by Jon M Chu, stars Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple) as Elphaba, Ariana Grande (13 the Musical) as Glinda, and Jonathan Bailey (Company) as Fiyero. The supporting cast also includes Marissa Bode, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum.In the third of a new series called WICKED WEEKENDS, taking place throughout the month of December, Mickey-Jo is talking through the film's Easter Eggs and references to both the stage musical and novel upon which it is based and The Wizard of Oz story and film by which they were inspired.Make sure to SUBSCRIBE for more Wicked content coming on Weekends until the end of the month and share your thoughts about the film in the comments!•00:00 | introduction 02:57 | 1st film references06:36 | costume details 10:30 | cinematography 13:26 | Wizard of Oz visuals19:26 | Wizard of Oz dialogue 23:59 | book references 26:16 | cameo appearances31:17 | stage show references36:13 | conclusion
Into The Woods (Bridge Theatre, London) - ★★★ REVIEW
40:34|This week, Mickey-Jo was invited to attend the opening night performance of his most anticipated show of the year in London - a brand new revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's INTO THE WOODS at the Bridge Theatre.This new production, directed by Jordan Fein, stars Katie Brayben, Jamie Parker, Kate Fleetwood, Chumisa Dornford-May, Jo Foster, Gracie McGonigal, and more in a dark take on the fairytale crossover musical with designs from Tom Scutt.As a devoted fan of the material, check out Mickey-Jo's many detailed thoughts about this production and whether it was the Into the Woods revival he had been wishing for, or something a little too Grimm...•00:00 | introduction01:51 | the material08:59 | this production18:08 | strengths30:08 | shortcomings38:43 | conclusionWhy THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES is closing earlier | The truth behind the Broadway show's demise
34:39|One of this season's first and most talked about new musical openings on Broadway was THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES, a Kristin Chenoweth led star vehicle with a new score from Stephen Schwartz based on the documentary of the same name.The show, which opened to mixed reviews, had already set an early closing date of January 4th, but later brought this forward with the announcement that the show would close even earlier, on December 21st.With the show making headlines again and again, Mickey-Jo is bringing some clarity to the conversation and explaining why the closing date has been brought forward, and what brought the show to this disappointing end...•00:00 | introduction03:25 | inherent problems08:44 | Kristin Chenoweth backlash14:23 | financial challenges22:42 | the closing date(s)25:38 | the reviews31:11 | conclusionThe BFG (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC, Stratford-Upon-Avon) - ★★★ REVIEW
25:52|The Royal Shakespeare Company's festive production has just opened, a new stage adaptation of Roald Dahl's The BFG.The production, directed by Daniel Evans, uses puppetry and live instrumental music to being the nostalgic children's story to the stage for a family audience, and will subsequently visit Chichester Festival Theatre in 2026.Check out this full review to find out what Mickey-Jo thought of the brand new theatrical offering from the company that created Matilda the Musical and how the BFG himself ranks alongside this season's many endearing puppets...•00:00 | introduction02:29 | synopsis / overview10:36 | creative choices18:12 | performances24:12 | conclusion