Laura Bell Bundy, Kara Lindsay, and the company (Photo: Valerie Terranova)
Romy & Michele: The Musical
By Matthew Roland
“I Invented Post-its.”
Another cult classic has received the musical treatment, but was it worth it? Romy & Michele: The Musical, now playing Off-Broadway at Stage 42, transforms the 1997 comedy Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion into a neon-bright, campy spectacle, bursting with fabulous fashion and nostalgic moments, though it occasionally stumbles in execution.
The story follows two lovable LA airheads who are invited to their ten-year high school reunion, only to realize they don’t exactly have their lives together. Naturally, they hit the road and cook up an elaborate lie to appear more successful. What follows is a hilarious, heart-on-its-sleeve journey about owning who you are, sparkly mini-dresses and all.
Leading this production are Broadway superstars Laura Bell Bundy as Romy White and Kara Lindsay as Michele Weinberger. From the moment the lights come up, it’s clear you’re in for a wild ride, as both actresses have a blast together, feeding off each other’s chemistry and chaos. Laura Bell Bundy’s portrayal of Romy, complete with her iconic voice, is a near-perfect reflection of the movie, eliciting giggles from the audience the moment she speaks. Meanwhile, Kara Lindsay’s take on Michelle includes playful nods to the original film, yet she manages to breathe new life into the character, making her distinctly her own.
With a book by Robin Schiff, who at first glance made few changes to her original movie’s script, the musical gives fans the screen-to-stage adaptation they were likely expecting. Unfortunately, there’s little excitement in seeing a near-carbon-copy of the original simply transplanted onto the stage. One notable change Schiff made is the character of Toby (originally played by Camryn Manheim in the film), now portrayed by the ever-lovable Je’shaun Jackson, who embodies the character in their truest form and truly stands out on stage giving that character a new purpose and meaning.
Je’Shaun Jackson (Photo: Valerie Terranova)
Nestled alongside the book is a score by Gwendolyn Sanford and Brandon Jay that, while occasionally memorable, quickly becomes repetitive. Many songs fail to advance the plot or capture the script’s humor, and several feel like filler for minor characters, clearly designed to give the leads time for costume changes.
One particularly disappointing moment comes when entering the theatre. The bright and colorful set and show title, designed by Jason Sherwood, perfectly capture the iconic ’80s/’90s vibe, and the preshow blasts classic hits we all know and love from that era. Yet when we reach the climax of the show with the iconic slow-dance trio (if you know, you know) we’re met with a botched, unlicensed instrumental that only vaguely resembles Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” (used in the film) instead of the real thing.
Director Kristin Hanggi clearly had fun with the staging, bringing energy to every scene and using the small nine-person ensemble to create a larger-than-life feel throughout the musical. It’s evident she allowed each actor to explore their own version of the characters while still honoring the beloved originals. That said, some moments could have been tightened, as certain scenes felt like they dragged on longer than necessary, and with Karla Puno Garcia’s choreography which perfectly captures the iconic ’80s and ’90s vibe and delivers the goofy, over-the-top silliness that defines the show.
Costume designer Tina McCartney brings the memorable on-screen fashion to life on stage with brighter, bolder looks brimming with nostalgia. Paired with hair and makeup design by Tommy Kurzman, whose wigs were impeccable, the overall design truly stands out as one of the show’s strongest elements.
Jordan Kai Burnett (Photo: Valerie Terranova)
The true highlight of the show must go to the chameleon-like Jordan Kai Burnett, who practically carries the entire production on their back. Not only does Burnett portray the high school goth-girl Heather Mooney brilliantly, with witty one-liners and killer vocals, but she also slips into almost every scene as a secondary character, like a little Easter egg for the audience to discover. From a mean girl to a pregnant wife to a rugged redneck in the bar, each moment–stealing transformation lands perfectly, making Burnett an undeniable star throughout the musical.
All told, there were flashes of fun and flair, but the musical ultimately missed the mark for me. Some scenes dragged, some songs fell flat, and the magic of the movie never fully translated. I love a campy comedy, so this should have been right up my alley but ultimately in the end, the movie was and still is the Mary… and this musical? Definitely the Rhoda.
At Stage 42
422 W. 42nd St
Running time: 2 hours 15 minutes with intermission
Open run
