Mickey-Jo attended an early screening of WICKED, the long-awaited film adaptation of the long-running, hugely popular stage musical currently seen both on Broadway and in the West End. After having shared his spoiler-free thoughts from an advance screening of the film earlier this week, Mickey-Jo is now bringing you his more detailed, spoiler inclusive review of the film discussing everything from changes to the plot, to the affected character arcs and even some exciting cameo...

Tonight Mickey-Jo attended an early screening of WICKED, the long-awaited film adaptation of the long-running, hugely popular stage musical currently seen both on Broadway and in the West End. The 2024 feature film, which is the first in a two part series, has been directed by Jon M Chu and stars Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple) as Elphaba, pop star Ariana Grande (13 the Musical) as Glinda, and Jonathan Bailey (Company) as Fiyero. The supporting cast also includes Marissa Bode, Ethan Slater,...

One of a handful of new musicals to open on Broadway this month is TAMMY FAYE, the musical story of the life of the controversial evangelist Tammy Faye Bakker. Having seen the show's world premiere production at the Almeida Theatre in London in 2022, Mickey-Jo was eager to catch the show's New York transfer at the recently refurbished Palace Theatre. This new production, directed by Rupert Goold stars Olivier Award winner Katie Brayben alongside Tony Award winners Christian Borle and...

On Mickey-Jo's most recent trip to New York, one of the many new musicals he saw was MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, and it instantly became his favourite Broadway show. The musical, which first premiered in South Korea, and has been written by Will Aaronson and Hue Park, stars Darren Criss and Helen J Shen as a pair of retired robots who go on a road trip together. Check out this full review to find out why Mickey-Jo loved this show so much, as well as which creative choices make it feel like a...

Mickey-Jo is currently in New York City on a trip motivated largely by the current concert staging of RAGTIME at New York City Center. The annual gala presentation production stars Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, Brandon Uranowitz and more, and features a striking score including 'Wheels of a Dream', 'Back to Before', and 'Make Them Hear You'. Check out this full review for Mickey-Jo's thoughts on this production, the material, the sublime cast, and even the viability of a Broadway...

One of the most anticipated shows of Mickey-Jo's most recent trip back to New York has been the new production of ROMEO & JULIET at The Circle in the Square Theatre on Broadway. This new staging of the show is directed by Sam Gold and stars Kit Connor (Heartstopper) and Rachel Zegler (West Side Story). Check out this full review for his thoughts on the new production, its popular stars, as well as the inevitable comparison to the West End production earlier this year which starred Tom...

This week Mickey-Jo had the opportunity to sit down with the composer Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family, The Wild Party, Big Fish) to discuss the upcoming European premiere of his theatrical work: I AM HARVEY MILK. The piece will have two performances on Sunday 27th October at Cadogan Hall in London and will star Joel Harper Jackson and Sierra Boggess, with Vanessa Williams and Alex Jennings hosting a performance each. Check out the full interview for their conversations about his body of...

Based on the novel by Terry Ronald, the musical BECOMING NANCY has recently opened at Birmingham Rep in the UK and features a book by Elliot Davis and a score from Stiles and Drewe. The show stars Joseph Peacock as David Starr, a boy cast unexpectedly in the role of Nancy in his school production of OLIVER! He is supported by a talented cast including Rebecca Trehearn, Genevieve Nicole, Paige Peddie, Joseph Vella, Stephen Ashfield, Richard Meek, and more. Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts...

Mickey-Jo recently had the chance to sit down with global musical theatre star Keala Settle (Waitress, Les Misérables, & Juliet) to discuss her upcoming appearance in the new musical FLY MORE THAN YOU FALL at Southwark Playhouse in London. Known to audiences for her role in The Greatest Showman as well as various stage performances, Keala is also a Tony Award and Drama Desk nominee who will appear in the upcoming Wicked movie. In this brief interview, during the show's final rehearsals...

Those of you who have been watching videos for some time may remember Mickey-Jo's less than positive review for the musical adaptation of 101 DALMATIANS at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre some summers ago. Well, the show is now back in a revised production on tour and recently Mickey-Jo headed to the New Victoria Theatre in Woking to find out if he liked this version any better. Starring Kym Marsh as Cruella De Vil with Faye Tozer and Kerry Ellis taking on the role at select venues, find out...

If you're not sure what to see in New York over the next few months and you're looking for the best plays and musicals on and off-Broadway, check out this brand new guide to the most exciting theatre this fall with more than 20 recommended shows! From Sunset Boulevard and Oh Mary! on Broadway to the transfers of Teeth and the new cast of Little Shop of Horrors as well as Romeo + Juliet with Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor, check out the shows Mickey-Jo thinks are the most exciting. Make sure...

Ahead of the West End return of GHOST the musical in a one night only concert production on 1st November, Mickey-Jo sat down with leading lady Lucie Jones to discuss her return to the show and the role of Molly. They also talked about some of Lucie's previous stage performances including AMERICAN PSYCHO, two separate stints in LES MISÉRABLES and the recent workshop presentation of 13 GOING ON 30. Plus, find out which amdram roles she played back in the day and which Disney film she'd love...

Ahead of further UK Tour dates, the iconic ROCKY HORROR SHOW recently returned to London with a brief run at the Dominion Theatre in the West End. This production starred Jason Donovan as Dr Frank n Furter alongside a hugely exciting new cast including Connor Carson, Lauren Chia and more. Check out this full video review for my thoughts on the cult show, this ongoing touring production and the latest cast. • 00:00 | introduction 07:00 | plot / history 13:21 | this production 19:16 | the...

Last night Mickey-Jo headed to Nottingham Playhouse to see the brand new, non-replica production of the Tony and Olivier award-winning musical, DEAR EVAN HANSEN. This new production of the show which originally starred Ben Platt and was subsequently adapted for film, has returned to UK stages after a successful West End run at the Noel Coward Theatre starring Sam Tutty. Ryan Kopel (Newsies) stars in the new production. Check out this full review for a comprehensive guide to all of the...

After a few years of being a theatre critic on social media, the question Mickey-Jo is most frequently asked is "how can I be a theatre critic"? In today's episode, Mickey-Jo is sharing some of his thoughts about the worst habits of critics, that newcomers should avoid. Check it out and share your own thoughts in the comments! The first 500 people to use my link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: https://skl.sh/mickeyjotheatre08241 • get in person / live stream tickets to...

Earlier this week, Mickey-Jo was invited to review one of his most anticipated new musicals of the year: WHY AM I SO SINGLE?. The show, which has opened at the Garrick Theatre in the West End, has been written by Tony Award winners Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, whose first collaboration SIX: THE MUSICAL has gone from Edinburgh Fringe hit to global sensation. Check out this full new review for Mickey-Jo's thoughts on the narrative, the material, the creative choices, the performances, and...

As I celebrate my 29th Birthday, I feel it's a great time to update you about a lot of stuff going on right now in my professional and personal life! With news about my upcoming live show (with newly announced guests Jodie Jacobs, Evelyn Hoskins and Jack Godfrey), a new range of merchandise available online, our next trip to New York, and more - there's plenty for me to let you know about! get tickets to see MickeyJoTheatre LIVE on 22nd...

Mickey-Jo recently had the chance to sit in on a very exciting rehearsal as West End and Broadway star Rachel Tucker (Wicked, Come From Away, The Last Ship) gets ready to embark on a brand new concert tour: "I'm Home". Between songs, Mickey-Jo sat down with Rachel to ask her about the meaning behind this concert, her new album with Westway music, recent stage appearances in John & Jen and Sunset Boulevard and even her time on the TV casting series "I'd Do Anything" over a decade...

The multi award-winning musical and cultural phenomenon HAMILTON has been so successful in the UK that a tour has launched alongside the ongoing West End production. Mickey-Jo has seen the tour twice in the last year and has finally sat down to tell you all about how it compares to the London production of the show. In this review, Mickey-Jo shares his thoughts about why the show (with book, music and lyrics by Lin Manuel Miranda) is so celebrated and what he thought about it on...

Mickey-Jo is taking a deep-dive into the world of musical theatre revivals today as he talks through some of the most groundbreaking productions in the West End and on Broadway. From gender-swapped Sondheim to circus-set Schwartz, Mickey-Jo is looking at the shows that made the most significant changes to the original material. Check it out and comment down below with the boldest and most groundbreaking revivals you've seen! • 00:00 | introduction 03:26 | Oklahoma! 07:32 | Chicago 11:19 |...

This year Mickey-Jo headed back to Edinburgh for the 2024 Festival Fringe and saw more than 60 different plays and musicals. In this episode Mickey-Jo is ranking every piece of theatre he saw and letting you know about his favourite and least favourite shows with 60 second reviews! From Gwyneth Paltrow to Dylan Mulvaney, find out which werethe best and worst shows at this year's Fringe! • 00:00 | introduction 02:01 | 2* shows 10:42 | 3* shows 31:38 | 4* shows 56:17 | 5* shows • • About...

One of the most talked about shows in New York right now is the Off-Broadway revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical CATS at the Perelman Performing Arts Centre. This production situates the show among the ballroom culture of the LGBTQ+ community and reconceives it as a more literal Jellicle Ball. Check out this new review to find out what Mickey-Jo thought of this concept as an unashamed fan of the show... • 00:00 | introduction 02:40 | background 08:18 | this production 15:47 |...

Today Mickey-Jo was going to bring you his review of YOUR LIE IN APRIL, a new musical based on the manga of the same name that opened earlier this month in the West End. While he's still sharing his thoughts on the show, they are in a new context after the announcement that the production will conclude its run earlier than planned, closing on August 11th. Check out this news / review episode to find out his thoughts about why this show is closing early and why he loved it! • 00:00 |...

After years of hearing great things about the Australian musical Fangirls, Mickey-Jo finally got the chance to see it in London, at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. The show, which features music, lyrics and book written by Yve Blake, follows a group of teenage girls who are devoted fans of a fictional boyband named Heartbreak Nation and their lead singer, Harry. Check our the brand new review to find out whether the show lived up to Mickey-Jo's expectations! • 00:00 | introduction 02:15 |...