Reworked American Psycho

[macbeth]

Posted: 1/24/26 at 11:44am

Just saw the reworked American Psycho back where it all began — and wow, this thing still slaps.

I’d forgotten how bold this show is, and this new production leans into that confidence hard. The score largely stays intact (thankfully), but one of the biggest surprises for me was the return of the “Sri Lanka” material — now reframed as “The Death of Downtown.” It fits the show’s thesis better than ever.

The book has been subtly but smartly refreshed, sharpening the political satire and threading the Trump-era commentary more clearly through Bateman’s world. It doesn’t hit you over the head — it just quietly makes everything feel more unsettlingly current.

Visually, the production is anchored in the TUNNEL nightclub, with LED flooring doing a lot of storytelling work. It’s slick, immersive, and occasionally disorienting in exactly the right way. Rupert Goold may have dialed back the literal blood (no ponchos this time), but don’t worry — the imagery is still brutal, disturbing, and often genuinely shocking.

Arty Froushan absolutely owns the role of Patrick Bateman. It’s a cooler, more internal performance than some past iterations, but it simmers constantly, and when it boils over, it’s chilling.

Hearing this score again reminded me how audacious American Psycho really is — cynical, stylish, uncomfortable, and unapologetic. This revival feels tighter, smarter, and somehow even more relevant. I really hope this version finally gets the extended life the show has always deserved.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/24/26 at 11:49am

God, I can barely sit still I’m so excited to see this in a few weeks. 

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 1/24/26 at 12:15pm

I loved the Broadway production and glad to hear the new revival seems to have learned from its previous iterations. I’d love to see it, but won’t make it to London. Doubtful it comes over here, but fingers crossed all the same.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 1/24/26 at 12:21pm

I adored the Broadway production and saw it multiple times. Glad to hear the reworked production sounds good so far.

[Hey, Zelda!]

Posted: 1/24/26 at 4:04pm

There was that recent production in Houston for which the writers made some revisions, no? It'll be interesting to hear from the Psycho-faithful if any of those changes have stuck.

[mridley2]

Posted: 1/24/26 at 8:54pm

Jordan Catalano said: "God, I can barely sit still I’m so excited to see this in a few weeks."

you and me both.  I have a week of London theater in early March. This show along with INTO THE WOODS was the impetus for the whole trip.  Cannot wait! 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 1/25/26 at 1:16am

Hey, Zelda! said: "There was that recent production in Houston for which the writers made some revisions, no? It'll be interesting to hear from thePsycho-faithful if any of those changes have stuck."

The writer's used Houston (a one-off, locally produced version staged similarly to the original) to hear some changes before making additional edits to London's intended revised first rate production. 

Our understanding is the new London Almeida Goold production will will very come to NYC.  Broadway or another larger venue.

Updated On: 1/26/26 at 01:16 AM

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 1/25/26 at 7:52am

Based on the pictures I’ve seen of the new set, it could be a good fit at St. Ann’s or the Park Ave Armory.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 1/25/26 at 8:47am

Please dear sweet baby jesus let this come to NYC. 

[musicthatmakesmedance]

Posted: 1/31/26 at 11:08am

The new production shots look fabulous. Wow, dying to have this show back in NY. What do we think — is it likely?

[desperateAndee]

Posted: 1/31/26 at 4:45pm

One of my all-time faves. Can't wait to see this in a few weeks. 

I think they definitely have sights on bringing it back to NY. Maybe next season? This staging also makes me think it could work at The Shed or St. Anne's. Producers always felt the show never quite translated because we were still in the Obama/Hillary bubble... but now that chaos/cynicism reigns, I think this will have a much stronger and subversive reaction. 

Updated On: 1/31/26 at 04:45 PM

[Merkin2]

Posted: 1/31/26 at 5:31pm

It’s exactly what you would expect from the Brits.  It’s just as ugly as the story.  This will die quickly if it comes to Broadway.  If people hated the character of Jackie Siegel, who is just a modern Rose, I don’t understand people who would like this.  This type of character and story is a turn off to me, not The Queen of Versailles which I thought was a first rate musical, admiration and critique of capitalism and America, an American masterpiece. 

[Hey, Zelda!]

Posted: 1/31/26 at 5:33pm

There was chatter a while back about mounting Psycho in a site-specific nightclub space. I wonder if any of that bled into this production. Like, "Okay, maybe we can't build a whole new nightclub, but why not key the set to a contemporary nightclub?"

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 1/31/26 at 6:33pm

Merkin2 said: "It’s exactly what you would expect from the Brits. It’s just as ugly as the story. This will die quickly if it comes to Broadway. If people hated the character of Jackie Siegel, who is just a modern Rose, I don’t understand people who would like this. Thistype of character and story is a turn off to me, not The Queen of Versailles which I thought was a first rate musical, admiration and critique of capitalism and America, an American masterpiece."

Wrong.

https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/american-psycho-2026/

 

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 1/31/26 at 6:42pm

I wish this had a slightly sharper libretto (lyrics especially) on Broadway but I was pretty much obsessed with the production and really liked the music and overall effect of the show. Would definitely want to see a revised version (though I personally don't think the design looks as exciting this time). Often wondered if the original would have fared any different opening slightly later. It certainly was and is a musical for the Trump years. I hope it hits a little harder with a little more focus. 

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 1/31/26 at 10:14pm

This Almeida production and the immersive Brooklyn production that was kicking around for awhile are not connected

if this production moves anywhere first it is going to be for a West End run

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 1/31/26 at 10:35pm

This production is planning a NYC run before or after additional UK run.

[blaxx]

Posted: 1/31/26 at 10:39pm

CoffeeBreak said: "Hey, Zelda! said: "There was that recent production in Houston for which the writers made some revisions, no? It'll be interesting to hear from thePsycho-faithful if any of those changes have stuck."

The writer's used Houston (a one-off, locally producedversion staged similarly to the original)to hear some changes before making additional editstoLondon's intended revised first rate production.

Our understanding is the new London Almeida Goold production will will verycome to NYC. Broadway or another larger venue."

The Joe Calarco version looks so much better than the Almeida's. Too bad regional productions never have the same pull.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 1/31/26 at 10:41pm

blaxx said: "CoffeeBreak said: "Hey, Zelda! said: "There was that recent production in Houston for which the writers made some revisions, no? It'll be interesting to hear from thePsycho-faithful if any of those changes have stuck."

The writer's used Houston (a one-off, locally producedversion staged similarly to the original)to hear some changes before making additional editstoLondon's intended revised first rate production.

Our understanding is the new London Almeida Goold production will will verycome to NYC. Broadway or another larger venue."

The Joe Calarco version looks so much better than the Almeida's. Too bad regional productions never have the same pull."

We saw it in Texas.  Didn't love it.  Very similar to the other regional productions.  Mostly good cast though.   The Goold version is more appealing already for us visually than the Texas Tammy Faye meets general regional American Psycho knock offs of the first Broadway mount.

Updated On: 1/31/26 at 10:41 PM

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 2/1/26 at 4:57am

So what is reworked? The set looks like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Sewer 

[Lot666]

Posted: 2/2/26 at 7:56am

The set design appears to be an overt reference to Tunnel, which is mentioned several times in the book.

Updated On: 2/2/26 at 07:56 AM

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 2/5/26 at 6:18am

Managed to see this earlier this week, and there was a lot to unpack.

 

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I went in completely blind, having never seen the film or read the book. I only did some minor research to understand the concept and why the original production was a flop. A simple answer: as many have said, this musical was ahead of its time 13 years ago. Now? It's the right time for this musical. While the score is not necessarily my favorite, the entire cult concept of this show really works now in the age of the PedoPOTUS. I really loved the addition of the references to Trump and Epstein, which reminds us of the haunting reality we live in. 

I hope this is not the last we see of this reworked version. If this doesn't transfer to the West End, I could see this potentially being in Rupert Goold's inaugural season at the Old Vic. Giving him more time to further develop it into something extraordinary. I could see this working at the @sohoplace theatre in the West End and then Circle in the Square in NYC. Who knows. I managed to book to see it again next month during its final week extension. 

[DrMonicaDeMoneco]

Posted: 2/5/26 at 7:47am

Merkin2 said: "It’s exactly what you would expect from the Brits. It’s just as ugly as the story. This will die quickly if it comes to Broadway. If people hated the character of Jackie Siegel, who is just a modern Rose, I don’t understand people who would like this. Thistype of character and story is a turn off to me, not The Queen of Versailles which I thought was a first rate musical, admiration and critique of capitalism and America, an American masterpiece."

did you have a loss of oxygen when you were born that caused some brain damage?

 

[joevitus]

Posted: 2/5/26 at 10:00am

DrMonicaDeMoneco said: "Merkin2 said: "It’s exactly what you would expect from the Brits. It’s just as ugly as the story. This will die quickly if it comes to Broadway. If people hated the character of Jackie Siegel, who is just a modern Rose, I don’t understand people who would like this. Thistype of character and story is a turn off to me, not The Queen of Versailles which I thought was a first rate musical, admiration and critique of capitalism and America, an American masterpiece."

did you have a loss of oxygen when you were born that caused some brain damage?

"

Don't let it get to you. Some loonies are just a Broadway Flash in the pan.