MickeyJoTheatre

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 new, outdoor production, to be directed and choreographed by the venue's artistic director Drew McOnie, is the latest in a string of non-replica stagings of the musical. Find out everything we know so far about the upcoming revival, what we can infer...

One of the most anticipated, major theatrical openings of 2026 is the world premiere of THE GREATEST SHOWMAN. The long awaited and hugely anticipated stage adaptation of the live action movie musical begins performances in Bristol in March 2026 ahead of an expected West End run. Today, the cast for this production has been announced as well as the full creative team, and Mickey-Jo is discussing bo...

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 Mary Page Marlowe at the Old Vic and rehearsing for three upcoming concert performances of a new musical based on The Book Thief. Best known to audiences for starring in & Juliet in the West End and on Broadway, and for her WhatsOnStage Award winn...

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 by Director Simon Evans with the grime poet Debris Stevenson. Having seen multiple different interpretations of this narrative, find out why Mickey-Jo thought this one was, perhaps, definitive in this full review. • 00:00 | introduction 02:01 | syno...

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 recently started revealing its material and announced its principal cast, Mickey-Jo is sharing thoughts and insights about everything we know about it so far. • 00:00 | introduction 02:40 | what is the show about? 08:36 | the producers / creatives 15:32 |...

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 La Jolla Playhouse. The show, written by Ian and Anne Eisendrath and Kait Kerrigan, combines a medical drama plot with an EDM score in order to tell the story of a life saving heart transplant. Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts about the show, the sens...

In what will surely be one of this season's most shocking casting announcements, it was revealed earlier today that social media personality Trisha Paytas would appear on Broadway, playing a limited stint in BEETLEJUICE. The production, which arrives after a major North American Tour and recently began performances at New York's Palace Theatre, will welcome Paytas in the role of Maxine Dean for 3...

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 absurdist theatrical mainstay is directed by Jamie Lloyd and stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, reuniting the pair after they starred together on screen as Bill and Ted. Having not yet seen the production, Mickey-Jo is rounding up a handful of its Br...

Mickey-Jo finally caught the new London production of Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. The revival, which originated at the National Theatre last year, has since transferred to the Noel Coward Theatre in the West End with a largely new cast led by Stephen Fry, Olly Alexander, and more. Check out this full review for Mickey-Jo's thoughts on this vibrant new production, its queer subte...

With more and more discussion about the increasingly challenging Broadway landscape (including recently in the New York Times), Mickey-Jo is here to officially address the question: is Broadway dying? With record numbers of new openings and seemingly more shows than ever having failed to recoup their initial investments, the theatre industry is clearly experiencing a financial struggle, one compou...

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 House. The show, which is based on the film starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo, stars Lucie Jones and David Hunter as Jenna Rink and Matt Flamhaff. Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts about this new musical, its material, creatives choices, and wh...

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 show, which premiered at the Kennedy Center, and follows an ordinary couple trapped in a golden age musical theatre parodying town, will open in April 2026 at the Nederlander Theatre. However, on the heels of SMASH, and with Broadway finances looking...

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 romantic comedy tells the story of Henry and Lucy and their hard-won journey to love, and stars Josh St Clair and Georgina Castle. Check out Mickey-Jo's full review for his thoughts on the show, its material, changes from the film, and the performances...

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. Cedric, an Olivier Award nominee for his performance as Nicely Nicely Johnson in the Bridge Theatre's innersive revival of GUYS & DOLLS, will star in a concert presentation of PERSONALITY: The Lloyd Price Musical. Check out what Cedric had to say abo...

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 respectively. While many are excited about the news, some have criticised the casting of these performers, either in preference of new, undiscovered talent or because they are also content creators with a large social profile. Check out Mickey-Jo's tho...

This week, the West End welcomed CLARKSTON, a play written by American playwright Samuel D Hunter, to the Trafalgar Theatre. This production, directed by Jack Serio, stars Joe Locke, Ruaridh Mollica, and Sophie Melville in a story about contemporary working class Americans reflecting on the pioneer age. Check out this full review for Mickey-Jo's thoughts on the play, its themes and performances, a...

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 production will open at the Prince Edward Theatre in London in May 2026. Check out this theatre news recap for Mickey-Jo's full thoughts about this long awaited news, ideas about casting, and insight into why the run is limited... • 00:00 | introduction 02...

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. The musical, which opened on Broadway just over 20 years ago, has already been adapted last year with the first instalment of a two part film adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Join Mickey-Jo and fellow theatrical enthusiast (and hi...

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 musical, which will go on to play at the Barn Theatre in Cirencester and Theatre Royal Bath, stars Martha Kirby and Guy Woolf. Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts about this exciting new staging of the iconic show, and how it compared with the disappointin...

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 VERSAILLES. The actress, who is best known for having played the role of Glinda in the original Broadway production of WICKED, has however become the focus of controversy after sharing a comment in response to the death of rightwing political podcas...

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 polarising. By way of a fuller explanation, Mickey-Jo is sharing some expanded thoughts about applause at the theatre: when we do it, why we do it, and what his issue is. Share your thoughts about all things applause and curtain call in the comments! • 00:...

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 first staged by Patrick Marber at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London before transferring to the Garrick Theatre. Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts about the show, this new version of it, and whether it's really possible to creatively reinterpret a...

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 production of the Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine musical, directed by Jordan Fein (Fiddler on the Roof) will play at the Bridge Theatre. Check out this exclusive first interview with the Katie Brayben (Tammy Faye, Beautiful, Girl From The North Countr...

This summer in London, one particular production dominated conversation among theatregoers, Evita at the London Palladium starring Rachel Zegler. But, alongside that heavyweight revival, were this summer's West End offerings a disappointment compared to the delights of last summer? Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts around the trends as he compares the West End programming in Summer 2024 and 2025 and...

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 House. The show, which has been written by Shaun Kitchener, combines the iconic pop group's catalogue with an original story, and is embarking on a UK & Ireland Tour. Check out what Mickey-Jo thought of the show, its performances, and how it adapts...