MickeyJoTheatre

Why did the critics hate WICKED: For Good? | Review roundup for the movie musical adaptation

29 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Earlier this month, WICKED: FOR GOOD, the second part of the film adaptation of the global musical phenomenon Wicked, finally arrived in cinemas.The f...

The Queen of Versailles starring Kristin Chenoweth (St. James Theatre, Broadway) - ★★ REVIEW

29 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One of this season's earliest new musical openings on Broadway was THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES, a Kristin Chenoweth led star vehicle with a new score from...

Ride The Cyclone (Southwark Playhouse Elephant, London) - ★★★★ REVIEW

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The cult-hit, TikTok-viral Canadian musical RIDE THE CYCLONE has finally opened in London for its new UK premiere production.The show, at Southwark Pl...

Why is BACK TO THE FUTURE closing? | Thoughts on the changing West End and what's coming next...

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Earlier this week it was announced that the West End production of BACK TO THE FUTURE will close in April 2026 after nearly 5 years at the Adelphi The...

Was WICKED: For Good, good enough? | REVIEW of the 2025 film starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After years of anticipation, Mickey-Jo has finally seen both parts of the film adaptation of the global musical sensation, Wicked, having now seen WIC...

The best and worst things about Broadway shows | Reviewing every play and musical on Broadway

22 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As Mickey-Jo gets ready to bring you dozens of updates from his most recent trip to New York including reviews and vlog content, he's taking on an unu...

WICKED: For Good REVIEW (spoiler-free) | 2025 musical film starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande

22 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Last night, after considerable anticipation, Mickey-Jo finally saw WICKED: For Good, the second film in the two part adaptation of the global musical ...

Did critics hate THE HUNGER GAMES? | Review roundup for the 2025 London stage adaptation

22 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One of London's most anticipated new theatrical openings this year has been a much talked about stage adaptation of THE HUNGER GAMES, based on the you...

Matt Rodin (Beau, Company, All The World's A Stage) - INTERVIEW

22 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After starring in back to back off-Broadway musicals, the name on everybody's lips is rising star Matt Rodin.Of course, his face may be familiar to an...

Bat Boy The Musical (New York City Center) - ★★★★★ REVIEW

22 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On only the second day of Mickey-Jo's most recent trip to New York, he headed to City Center and caught the penultimate performance of BAT BOY, the ve...

What Mickey-Jo will and won't see on Broadway... | the shows Mickey-Jo is watching on his next New York Theatre trip

22 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mickey-Jo has officially arrived back in New York City for another marathon theatre trip filled with as many Broadway and Off-Broadway shows as possib...

AVENUE Q is coming back to London! | everything we know about the revised West End production

22 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It has been announced today that the Tony Award winning musical AVENUE Q is heading back to the West End for a 20th anniversary production that is bei...

Othello (Theatre Royal Haymarket, West End) - ★★ REVIEW

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Mickey-Jo was invited to review the opening night performance of a new West End production of OTHELLO at Theatre Royal, Haymarket.The Shakes...

Will these West End shows go to Broadway? | Paddington, Hunger Games, Hercules, Evita & more...

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With more high profile plays and musicals receiving their world premiere productions in the UK, audiences are asking whether these West End shows will...

Is celebrity casting killing theatre? | Thoughts on the West End and Broadway stunt casting debate

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On either side of the Atlantic, from Keanu Reeves and George Clooney to Bryan Cranston and Nicole Scherzinger, the theatre industry has been no strang...

Why Luke Evans is a safe choice for ROCKY HORROR | Thoughts on the Broadway Revival's Frank n Furter

31 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After considerable anticipation, it has now been announced that stage and screen star Luke Evans will play Dr Frank n Furter in the upcoming Broadway ...

Hot Mess (Southwark Playhouse Elephant) - ★★★★ REVIEW

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The new musical HOT MESS by Jack Godfrey and Ellie Coote, an award winning hit which debuted at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, has recently op...

MISCHIEF are doing a Musical! | What we know about Thespians, from The Play that Goes Wrong creators

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The acclaimed Mischief Theatre company, AKA the hysterical minds behind The Play That Goes Wrong, The Comedy about a Bank Robbery, and more, have anno...

Starter For Ten (Birmingham Rep) - ★★★ REVIEW

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After premiering at Bristol Old Vic, the new musical STARTER FOR TEN is back in an enhanced production than returned to the same venue as well as tour...

Ross Harmon (Get Down Tonight, Wicked, Shucked) - INTERVIEW

26 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Get Down Tonight, a new musical Mickey-Jo first enjoyed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, has transferred to London, and is now playing at the Charing...

What's happened to PREVIEWS?! | Thoughts on the changing West End and Broadway theatre industry

26 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With the stage adaptation of THE HUNGER GAMES having welcomed audiences to its first preview performances earlier this week, a conversation about the ...

Huzzah! (Old Globe, San Diego) - REVIEW

26 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Earlier this month Mickey-Jo travelled to San Diego, California to see some new musicals including HUZZAH! at the Old Globe.Check out this full video ...

Mickey-Jo saw Eva and Reeve in CABARET | Thoughts on Eva Noblezada, Reeve Carney & the new West End cast...

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mickey-Jo was recently invited to attend another gala night at the West End production of CABARET, currently running at the Kit Kat Club at the Playho...

Ramin Karimloo (Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, Pirates! The Penzance Musical, Roam) - INTERVIEW

19 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 m...

How is Nicola Roberts in HADESTOWN? | Thoughts on the new West End cast of the award winning musical

18 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

CATS is coming back... outside?! | Thoughts on the revival of Cats at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

18 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ne...

Let's talk about THE GREATEST SHOWMAN cast | Thoughts on the stars of the upcoming Disney musical...

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most anticipated, major theatrical openings of 2026 is the world premiere of THE GREATEST SHOWMAN.The long awaited and hugely anticipated s...

Melanie La Barrie (Hadestown, & Juliet, The Book Thief, Mary Page Marlowe) - INTERVIEW

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 Ma...

Cyrano de Bergerac starring Adrian Lester (Swan Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company) - ★★★★★ REVIEW

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Everything we know about THE LOST BOYS | Early thoughts on Broadway's next potential hit musical

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 recent...

THE HEART deserves a Broadway transplant | Thoughts on the world premiere new musical in La Jolla

12 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Why is Trisha Paytas doing BEETLEJUICE?! | The industry problems behind the Broadway stunt casting

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In what will surely be one of this season's most shocking casting announcements, it was revealed earlier today that social media personality Trisha Pa...

Why Broadway didn't hate WAITING FOR GODOT | Review roundup of the Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter revival

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ab...

The Importance of Being Earnest (Noël Coward Theatre, West End) - ★★★★ REVIEW

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mickey-Jo finally caught the new London production of Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST.The revival, which originated at the National Thea...

Is BROADWAY dying? | The truth about theatre industry finances, tax problems, and a possible strike

05 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With more and more discussion about the increasingly challenging Broadway landscape (including recently in the New York Times), Mickey-Jo is here to o...

13 Going On 30 The Musical (Manchester Opera House) - ★★ REVIEW

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Will SCHMIGADOON be a bway schmash? | Thoughts on the newly announced stage musical adaptation

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 s...

50 First Dates The Musical (The Other Palace Theatre, London) - ★★★★ REVIEW

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 rom...

Cedric Neal (Hadestown, Guys & Dolls, Personality) - INTERVIEW

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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.Cedri...

Mickey-Jo's thoughts on this casting... | Carrie Hope Fletcher in Waitress / Amber Davies in Legally Blonde

28 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 re...

Clarkston starring Joe Locke, Ruaridh Mollica (Trafalgar Theatre, West End) - ★★★ REVIEW

27 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, the West End welcomed CLARKSTON, a play written by American playwright Samuel D Hunter, to the Trafalgar Theatre.This production, directed ...

BEETLEJUICE is finally coming to London! | Why the Broadway musical will play a limited West End run

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 product...

Reacting to the final WICKED trailer | Musical theatre fan reaction to Wicked For Good 2025 trailer

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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.T...

The Last Five Years (Reading Rep Theatre, The Barn Theatre & Theatre Royal Bath Revival) - ★★★★★ REVIEW

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 mu...

Is Kristin Chenoweth CANCELLED by Broadway? | The backlash to her Charlie Kirk comments explained

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The problem with curtain calls | Thoughts on applause at the theatre, and whether we do it too much

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 polari...

The Producers (Garrick Theatre, West End) - ★★★★ REVIEW

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Katie Brayben (Into the Woods, Beautiful, Tammy Faye) - INTERVIEW

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 produ...

Was EVITA this summer's only hit? | A comparison of the West End's last two summer theatre seasons

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This summer in London, one particular production dominated conversation among theatregoers, Evita at the London Palladium starring Rachel Zegler.But, ...

Here & Now - The Steps Musical (Manchester Opera House, UK & Ireland Tour) - ★★★★ REVIEW

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 Ho...

The real reason why CABARET is closing on Broadway | The truth behind Billy Porter and the lawsuit

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Born With Teeth starring Edward Bluemel and Ncuti Gatwa (Wyndham's Theatre, West End) - ★★★ REVIEW

07 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Earlier this week, Mickey-Jo caught BORN WITH TEETH, a play by Liz Duffy Adams which brings the Elizabethan playwrights William Shakespeare and Christ...

How casting made OH, MARY! a hit | The secret behind the Broadway play's star lineup

07 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 jug...

Is HEATHERS coming back to London? | News of the musical's US, international, and UK tours

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The musical HEATHERS, based on the 1988 cult film, announced yesterday that it would be launching a new US and UK Tour, as well as visiting Australia ...

Why is a Broadway musical getting sued? | How the Ciara Renée WANTED lawsuit might impact theatre

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The new musical WANTED (formerly titled Gun & Powder) is being sued by the actress Ciara Renée before it has even arrived on Broadway.Renée, who...

Interview (Riverside Studios, London) - ★★★ REVIEW

31 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A few days ago, Mickey-Jo saw INTERVIEW at Riverside Studios, a new play based on the Dutch film.The production stars Robert Sean Leonard and Paten Hu...

The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Concert (Prince Edward Theatre, West End) - ★★★ REVIEW

29 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After years of anticipation, the stage adaptation of Disney's THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME finally received its professional premiere, with a concert p...

KPOP DEMON HUNTERS on stage?! | Could the viral Netflix hit movie become a Broadway musical?

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Netflix movie KPop Demon Hunters has recently become the streaming service's most successful of any genre, with multiple top 10 songs in the Billb...

Every Brilliant Thing (@sohoplace Theatre, West End) - ★★★★★ REVIEW

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The internationally acclaimed play EVERY BRILLIANT THING has finally arrived in the West Ens after more than a decade, and is playing a limited run fr...

Fat Ham (Swan Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-Upon-Avon) - ★★★★★ REVIEW

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Pulitzer Prize-winning play FAT HAM, by James Ijames, seen on Broadway in 2023, is making its UK Premiere at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stra...

PADDINGTON the Musical announces its West End cast... but who is playing the bear?

24 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, the principal cast of Paddington the Musical was announced, with veteran West End stats joined by exciting newcomers.Amidst this announceme...

Just For One Day (Shaftesbury Theatre, West End) - ★★★★ REVIEW

22 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Last month, Mickey-Jo had the privilege of attending the gala performance of JUST FOR ONE DAY at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End, in celebrati...

The MUPPETS are going to Broadway! | Magic show to feature Muppets as guests, prior to more?

22 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It has been announced this week that THE MUPPETS are finally heading to Broadway.The newly announced production Rob Lake Magic With Special Guests The...

The Quasimodo casting controversy | On disability representation and the Hunchback of Notre Dame

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the past few weeks, a concert production of Disney's THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, taking place at the Prince Edward Theatre in London, has come und...

Brigadoon (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London) - ★★★★ REVIEW

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The latest production of this summer's programming at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre is a long awaited revival of Lerner and Loewe's BRIGADOON.The new...

Georgina Castle (Mean Girls, Mamma Mia, 9 to 5, Elf, and 50 First Dates) - INTERVIEW

17 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 hi...

Make It Happen starring Sandy Grierson and Brian Cox (Edinburgh International Festival) - ★★★★ REVIEW

16 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Earlier this month, amidst seeing 50 shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Mickey-Jo saw James Graham's new play MAKE IT HAPPEN at the Edinburgh Int...

What's wrong with Billy Porter in CABARET? | The uncomfortable truth behind the Broadway backlash

15 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After first playing the roles in the West End production, Billy Porter and Marisha Wallace have recently begun performances in the Broadway revival of...