Schmigadoon! has always belonged on a stage. Now, nominated for 12 Tony Awards, it finally is.
As a remarkably faithful adaptation, it’s nearly impossible to discuss the musical without discussing the Apple TV series. The Broadway plot mirrors its predecessor almost identically, skillfully condensing a six-episode adventure to a two-act structure. Just like in the original, nearly every trope from the Golden Age makes an appearance, including a dream ballet complete with pointe work.
After a condensed prelude to Josh and Melissa’s relationship, Schmigadoon! on stage is nothing short of an idyllic setting. The bright buildings with pastel accents, perfectly matching the townspeople’s coordinated attire, feel straight out of a storybook. Every set piece is physical and practical, providing a visual texture that pairs excellently with the texture of live sound. Each visual choice was intentional; screens were used only sparingly to depict modern society, which I can’t help but read as a double meaning.
Schmigadoon! is more than just beautiful; it features one of the hardest-working ensembles on Broadway. The choreography is simultaneously larger-than-life and extremely precise, drawing clear inspiration from the original episodes. Despite pulling from classic musicals, big, modern belting creeps in. The sheer scale of song and dance becomes even more impressive once you realize the cast repeats their performances eight times a week.
While the comparisons between the two iterations of the cult favorite are undeniable, there were subtle shifts in the character portrayals. Josh Skinner (played by Alex Brightman) seemed more defeated than pissed in his adventures, while Melissa Gimble (portrayed by Sara Chase) felt like more of a central star than half of a leading couple. This shift could be attributed to the fact that Melissa gets significantly more singing time, as Josh does not sing until an impactful finale that reflects his character arc.
Max Clayton’s Danny Bailey traded the screen version’s smolder for a magnetic, wide-eyed charm, demonstrated in his captivating, jazzy dance performance with a beaming grin that reached the back of the mezzanine in “Can’t Tame Me.” McKenzie Kurtz applied her trademark unhinged energy to Betsy, making her character more memorable in a bigger space and more intriguing than just a cutesy, young (but we don’t quite know how young) girl.
While Mrs. Menlove, reprised by Ann Harada, felt more simple, Emma felt more prominent. Carson remained just as adorable, and the relationship between the mayor and the reverend was just as heartwarming, but both emotions felt heightened in the new setting. Ana Gasteyer played up Mildred Layton’s comedy because there was no room for cuts or close-ups to make her more intimidating.
The adaptation’s strengths extend beyond performance. Fan-favorite songs from the series returned to the stage, along with new sequences reimagined to lean fully into the theatrical form — bigger, bolder, and built for a live audience. “Suddenly” was a personal standout, as the side-by-side mirroring between the two couples, staged in front of half-sets, captured the magic of live theatre far more effectively than the original cut-and-fade transitions.
More than the success of its standout components, Schmigadoon! excels at leaning into the show’s pure ridiculousness, adding a brilliant, metaphorical layer by literally removing the fourth wall. Audiences don’t need to have binge-watched the Apple TV show or even be familiar with Golden Age musical tropes to enjoy it, though a little background context will enhance the experience.
The show itself seems to reference its own fate. As one number puts it:
What the future holds,
Well we just don’t know
Could we expect to return with Josh and Melissa to see Schmicago on stage, or will the highly anticipated season three be miraculously un-canceled? Regardless of what waits on the other side of the bridge, Schmigadoon! delivers all the infectious, bingeable theatre magic right to the heart of New York City.
