REVIEW: SCHMIGADOON! Continues the Rich Theatrical Tradition of Doing TV First in Order to Do Broadway
by Ben Schrager. Instagram: @ben.schrager. Bluesky: @benschrager.bsky.social
NEW YORK, NY - As a renowned critic, many people stop me on the streets and grab me by the lapel, crying out that the classic traditions of Broadway’s Golden Age are dead. While my tailor is grateful for the work, I am happy to inform these people that there’s still one show that lovingly embraces its rich history.
I’m talking, of course, about Schmigadoon! which places itself firmly in the great theatrical tradition of having to do TV first in order to get to do Broadway.
Schmigadoon! is the story of Melissa Gimble and Josh Skinner, a modern couple whose relationship is on the rocks when they stumble upon Schmigadoon, an old-timey musical town that helps reignite their true love. The plot seems simple enough, however keen musical theater fans might observe that the titular town sounds a bit familiar.
That’s right, folks: Schmigadoon! is clearly taking inspiration from the TV series Schmigadoon! which premiered on Apple TV in 2021.
At first I thought this might be a coincidence or even just a one time gag, but as the show went along, I noticed many more clever easter eggs that felt like sly references to the TV series: character names, songs, and even full plot points had almost total overlap with the series of the same name.
And the references go even deeper than that. Upon further research into the musical, I realized that the composer and librettist is credited on all show materials as “Cinco Paul,” clearly a pseudonym in reference to the name of the creator of the TV series of the same name.
It’s a bold choice, but it pays off for the so-called “Mr. Paul,” as the audience comes to realize that the show is, in fact, a loving send-up of Broadway’s grand tradition of forcing actors and writers to have any TV credits at all before producers will allow them to even sniff a Broadway stage.
Why, the casting itself becomes a meta-theatrical nod to the very same, with the OBC featuring Sara Chase (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix), Ana Gasteyer (Saturday Night Live on NBC), and Ann Harada (Schmigadoon! on Apple TV) in key roles.
Call me old-fashioned, but when a show features a lush orchestra, period-perfect costumes, and a cast and creative team with IMDB pages long enough to require the “See all” tab, it makes my heart swell. Schmigadoon! reminds us what Broadway is all about: seeing TV, but live.
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Consultar los números de la suerte del día puede ser una actividad entretenida para quienes disfrutan de las tradiciones numéricas. Me parece interesante conocer las diferentes interpretaciones culturales de cada número. Sin embargo, estas referencias no predicen resultados y conviene recordar que los sorteos dependen del azar.
Schmigadoon! sounds like a fascinating example of how television can celebrate theatrical traditions while giving musical storytelling a fresh format. I enjoy productions that blend humor, performance, and distinctive visual details to create a memorable experience. TheMovieFashion explores that same visual creativity through character costumes and screen-inspired outfits that make entertainment fashion stand out.