Schmigadoon! at The Kennedy Center Review

Schmigadoon! at The Kennedy Center is a dazzling, toe-tapping tribute to the Golden Age of Broadway – clever, heartfelt, and brimming with nostalgia. Based on the Emmy Award®-winning Apple TV+ series, this production blends affectionate parody with genuine admiration, offering a night of pure musical theater escapism. With a stellar cast, infectious melodies, and brilliantly witty lyrics by Cinco Paul, Schmigadoon! charms both musical theater diehards and casual fans alike.

So, What’s It About?

The stage adaptation remains faithful to the first season of the TV series. New York City doctors Josh (Alex Brightman) and Melissa (Sara Chase) set out on a backpacking retreat to repair their struggling relationship. They cross an enchanted bridge into Schmigadoon—a whimsical town where life is a Golden Age musical, complete with singing townsfolk, sweeping romances, and grand production numbers. A Leprechaun informs them that they cannot leave until they discover “true love,” forcing them to confront both the town’s quirky inhabitants and their own relationship struggles.

Cinco Paul’s book and lyrics strike a perfect balance between affectionate homage and sharp-witted satire, poking fun at outdated social norms while celebrating the genre’s enduring appeal.

Initial set-up was hysterically curt but may leave some, especially those unfamiliar with the series, wanting more insight into Josh and Melissa’s relationship. The team does a masterful job shoehorning an entire season of plot and production numbers into an almost three-hour show. The pacing is perfect. The production manages to round out and improve the original story without feeling like it skips any fondly-remembered moments from the TV show.

Music and Lyrics

With book, music, and lyrics by Emmy® winner and Grammy® nominee Cinco Paul, the score captures the essence of classic musicals while adding a fresh, comedic twist. Beloved songs from the series such as the Emmy®-winning "Corn Puddin" are joined by exciting new numbers, all of which fit seamlessly into the world of Schmigadoon.

Rather than direct parodies, these songs serve as loving homages, winking at their inspirations while standing firmly on their own. Some numbers borrow stylistic elements from multiple musicals, while others poke fun at genre conventions. “Corn Puddin’,” for example, is both an absurdist anthem and a world-building delight. New additions like "I Thought I Was the Only One," performed by Brad Oscar and Kevin Del Aguila, round out the plot while blending harmoniously into the established musical landscape. The new numbers feel like they've always been part of the story.

The score is infectious, emulating Broadway's Golden Age beautifully. The live orchestra, under the direction of Steven Malone, brings a lush, full sound to the production, with orchestrations by Doug Besterman and Michael Morris.

Performances

One of the coolest things about the short-run Broadway Center Stage productions at The Kennedy Center is their ability to pull together an all-star cast. With only a couple weeks of rehearsal time and no try-out performances, the cast delivered outstanding performances.

• Alex Brightman (Josh): Brings his signature comedic timing and skeptical outsider persona. I thought his performance may have been a little too 'relaxed' for a type-A New York City doctor frustrated by being stuck in a musical that he wants nothing to do with, but he does a great job landing the humor.
• Sara Chase (Melissa): Currently starring on Broadway as "Myrtle Wilson" in The Great Gatsby, Sara provides strong counterbalance to Josh with warmth, humor, and impressive vocals. She often has striking vocal resemblance to Cecily Strong from the TV series which helps sell the parts' very specific comedy.
• Emily Skinner (Mildred Layton): Deliciously wicked, her show-stopping "Tribulation" number is a highlight of the show.
• Brad Oscar (Mayor Menlove): Currently playing "the Wizard" in Wicked, he expertly balances camp and authenticity.
• Kevin Del Aguila (Reverend Layton): Plays the "Yes dear" role to Mildred with comedic precision. He plays a delightful leprechaun as well!
• McKenzie Kurtz (Betsy McDonough): Steals every scene she’s in with her lovable yet manipulative performance.
• Isabelle McCalla (Emma Tate): Delivers an expert portrayal, opening Act II strongly with "With All of Your Heart."
• Ryan Vasquez (Danny Bailey): Flexes his strong comedic timing as the cartoonishly seductive carnival barker.
• Ann Harada (Florence Menlove): Wonderful to see her reprising her role from the series.
• Ayaan Diop (Carson Tate): An eight-year-old scene-stealer who received exit applause.
• Javier Muñoz (Doc Lopez): A strong performance, with his duet with McCalla standing out as a highlight.
• Angel Reda (Countess Gabrielle Von Blerkom): Shines in "Always Never Get My Man."

The true stars of this production was the incredibly talented ensemble of Phillip Attmore, Brandon Block, Holly Ann Butler, Max Clayton, Kimberly Immanuel, Eloise Kropp, Jess LeProtto, Nathan Lucrezio, Lauralyn McClelland, Shina Ann Morris, and Richard Riaz Yoder who sang, danced and brought the town of Schmigadoon to life.

Direction and Choreography: A Triumph Under Pressure

Tony Award® winner Christopher Gattelli (Newsies, Death Becomes Her) pulls double duty as director and choreographer. Having originally choreographed the TV series, he understands the material’s tone and leans into the camp with precision.

Given that the production was put together in just three weeks, Gattelli’s choreography is nothing short of remarkable. The energetic ensemble work and clever dance sequences reference classic Broadway moments while maintaining a fresh, modern appeal. The ensemble as a whole did an amazing job delivering full production numbers throughout the show.

Musical numbers like "Tribulation" and "Always Never Get My Man" that featured individual performers felt slightly underdeveloped compared to the TV versions and other larger musical numbers, but the cast’s expert delivery ensured they still landed. With more time, I think the choreography could have been even more polished and intricate.

Design

• Scenic Design (Scott Pask/David Korins): A charming, storybook-inspired aesthetic that effectively evokes Golden Age musicals. The set consisted mostly of painted drops. The TV series felt very much like a stage set, but this production felt like a bus-and-truck version.
• Lighting Design (Brian MacDevitt/Jen Schriever): Enhances the whimsical tone, shifting smoothly between warm and intimate moments.
• Costume Design (Catherine Zuber/Linda Cho) and Wig Design (Tom Watson): Perfectly excessive and period-accurate, adding to the show’s over-the-top charm. The one note I have is that period appropriate, pleated pants that the men wore weren't doing them any favors. They were too baggy and it looked like everybody could be wearing diapers.

What Critics Are Saying

• Rhoda Feng, Vulture: “In a world that often feels more like a Sondheim second act than a sunny Rodgers and Hammerstein opening number, Schmigadoon! offers a heady dose of Golden Age escapism. Perhaps another incarnation will emerge that restores—even adds to—what this one elides. I hope it doesn’t take 100 years.”
• Naveen Kumar, Washington Post: “The show often feels mired in surface-level cleverness. But Cinco Paul’s score—infectious and lovingly crafted—carries the production.”
• Elliot Lanes, BroadwayWorld: “Despite some casting quibbles, Schmigadoon! is the perfect escape for musical theater lovers.”
• Aidan O’Connor, MD Theatre Guide: “A gloriously delightful night of musical parody unlike anything seen on stage before.”

Final Verdict: More Please.

Schmigadoon! is highly recommended for lovers of musical theater and fans of the original TV series. It's a joyful, escapist experience that pays tribute to the Golden Age of musicals while playfully critiquing their conventions. With strong potential for future productions, it would be no surprise to see Schmigadoon! become a beloved staple of regional and community theaters—or even make its way to Broadway.

While it's unfortunate that a third season of the TV series was never greenlit by AppleTV+, this new production ensures that the world of Schmigadoon! lives on. And who knows? If this show does well, perhaps we’ll see Schmigadoon! Season 3: Into the Schmoods on our screens one day—Cinco Paul has already written 25 songs for it! It's exactly the kind of entertainment we all need right now.