ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE at Theatre Row - anybody seen it yet?

[ajh]

Posted: 3/30/25 at 9:00am

This new Adam Gwon musical presented by the Keen Company started previews five days ago and just wondered if anybody has seen it yet and if so what are their thoughts?

I booked for this as soon as it went on sale because, well, Elizabeth Stanley. I’d watch her perform selections from the phone book. All I’ve heard of the show itself is an Insta of male lead Matt Rodin doing a rather nice number.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/30/25 at 10:07am

I saw it Friday and enjoyed it. Nothing groundbreaking or lifechanging, but a sweet and moving story, with a lovely score. Stanley’s role is underwritten but she delivers. It is a bit trite but… 🤷‍♂️ I enjoyed it.

[Ensemble1698878795]

Posted: 3/30/25 at 12:27pm

iluvtheatertrash said: "I saw it Friday and enjoyed it. Nothing groundbreaking or lifechanging, but a sweet and moving story, with a lovely score. Stanley’s role is underwritten but she delivers. It is a bit trite but… 🤷‍♂️ I enjoyed it."

Agreed. Worth seeing. Talented group of artists, but something is missing from the story. 

[DiscoCrows]

Posted: 3/30/25 at 10:33pm

I walked out having mostly loved this, it accomplishes what it’s set out to do pretty well. Everyone onstage is delivering a fantastic performance and as a fan of Elizabeth’s I couldn't help but grin every time she was onstage. Her role is a bit siloed off from some of the larger character arcs happening in the show but she is endearing as always.

I don't say this critically, but the show and its central conflicts present an antiquated view of homophobia in the late 20th Century where the climactic boiling point of the narrative is basically fully realized with the dropping of an f-slur. It’s not a bad thing, but I do feel like I have seen much of this show in any number of theatre projects tackling the subject matter a hundred times over. It is is all very cheesy and on the nose.

If you can stomach that tonally, this is an easy recommendation to make. Between the score and characters presented and intersection of other LGBTQ+ theatre literature, I thought this was very well crafted and had some great emotional depth. Added bonus for no intermission and a fantastic runtime.

Updated On: 3/31/25 at 10:33 PM