Rob Madge's MY SON'S A QUEER... at the Lyceum February 2024- Page 8

[bluetuna]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 1:18am

I saw it tonight. Very cute, relatable show for those of us who tried on mom's shoes and insisted on putting on plays for the family in our youth.  I was impressed, but I am also surprised that the original intention had been for it to have a Broadway run, because once the theatre gays saw it, I'm not quite sure who its audience would have been.  I was in the first row of the Grand Tier (great view), and there were a good number of empty seats, including further back in the mezzanine (balcony was apparently closed), and I saw a good number below us in the orchestra, too.

[Wick3]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 3:43am

 I also went and overall I enjoyed it and glad I saw Rob perform at his NYC debut! 

It was roughly 75 minutes given he had to explain some British English terms/words Americans may not be familiar with. I don’t want to give spoilers but one scene may have taken longer since Rob played along with an audience member who giggled after Rob mentioned something about rugby positions.

At curtain call, he mentioned his parents were in the audience! The show has a lot of heart and am glad I saw it. 
 

[AlmostFamous3]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 7:17am

Cute, sweet (and short) show for Pride Month. I can't imagine who thought this could work on Broadway — it has Off-Broadway written all over it. It could’ve had a nice 16-week run in one of the 199-seat theaters. It’s the kind of show that really needs the intimacy between the performer and the audience, which was completely lost in the large house (I was seated in the back of the orchestra). It's not life-changing; I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to see it, but it was a fun night, and Rob seems like a great person I’m happy to know more about now.

Updated On: 6/13/25 at 07:17 AM

[UWS10023]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 8:37am

They are not selling balcony and are moving people down so everyone is sitting together. This is happening at the box office. So if you bought Mezzanine and already have your tickets and you want to be moved it probably will be possible by visiting the box office upon entrance. Or just move down when the show starts.

I agree the show would have played better in a smaller house. It has a definite off Broadway vibe to it. It Would’ve worked well at the Belmont too with the extended stage. It is too bad they didn’t do it during pride week. They probably could’ve sold a few more tickets but maybe City Center wasn’t available or Rob had to get back to the lead in Cabaret in the UK.

As I said earlier in this thread that I highly recommend the show. I think Rob could slow down just a little bit in the beginning so the audience can adjust to the dialect then work into the brisk pace. But a minor note…..

Updated On: 6/14/25 at 08:37 AM

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 9:15am

A gentle reminder: Rob uses they/them pronouns.

Seeing this tonight. Bought my tickets on TDF, so I’m curious where I’ll be. I’m glad that they are reshuffling the seating so that it feels more intimate for both Rob and the audience. 

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 11:40am

It's really blowing my mind how many of you watched the show and STILL are misgendering Rob. Were you even paying attention?

[Kad]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 12:24pm

iluvtheatertrash said: "It's really blowing my mind how many of you watched the show and STILL are misgendering Rob. Were you even paying attention?"

Nobody is doing it intentionally or maliciously. 

[ER765]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 12:33pm

Kad said: "iluvtheatertrash said: "It's really blowing my mind how many of you watched the show and STILL are misgendering Rob. Were you even paying attention?"

Nobody is doing it intentionally or maliciously."

For real. Calm tf down. 

[DiscoCrows]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 9:51pm

Adored every second of this. It is just peer joy from top to bottom (ha ha). In terms of audience draw, it felt like a soft PG13 but so much of the heart of the show is about celebrating the intersection of growing up a queer theatre kid in a supportive family.

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

The show is mostly autobiographical and goes chronologically through Rob’s emergence as a performer. It is littered with video footage of them performing in their living room - directing and choreographing their family members in various “Disney productions”, each one of which left the entirety of NYCC in hysterics and awe-inducing smiles.

I can see why this would struggle to build a Broadway sustainable audience - but it’s definitely something that (if enticed), any “theatre kid” parent would walk into clueless and walk out having cried through. I am not hedging my bets on this show having a NYC-future (a formal Off-Broadway run would be a dream at this point) but I hope this convinces people to show up and give it a chance. It is worth the hour and cheap ticket price - and quite frankly, is a show I’d encourage folks to support with a paid ticket on good-faith alone.

Updated On: 6/14/25 at 09:51 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/13/25 at 10:47pm

Went tonight and had a great time. A very special little show that I’m very very happy Rob finally got to bring to New York. Bonus sightings of J. Harrison Ghee, Francis Jue and Javier Muñoz in the lobby. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 6/14/25 at 12:30am

I was also there tonight and…wow.

I don’t know if it was my anesthesia from my procedure this morning still wearing off or what, but I was so genuinely MOVED to the point of tears by the entire evening. There were quite a bit of laughs, but watching Rob’s journey of growing up and having to still fight to be themselves, even in what is arguably the most of supportive circumstances for the time, got me right in the heart.

In many ways, I felt I was watching the younger version of myself on stage and reliving the moments where someone was always around the corner to hide my light under a bushel. Even in the back of the mezzanine, the whole evening still felt intimate because Rob worked hard to make us all a part of the journey. I’m now a forever fan.

While it may never have the legs for a major run, I definitely feel like if Rob got to the opportunity to take this show to theatres across the country and parents and kids could see this, it would not only help encourage the future of theatre, but it could also probably save lives with its messages of affirmation, support, and believing and Investing in your truest self. This truly felt like a “right place, right time” moment in theatre

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 6/14/25 at 12:50am

I also absolutely adored this tonight.  I'll admit I had my doubts but I figured word of mouth had been good and with the ticket prices being so discounted I decided to check it out.  And wow, Rob is such a charming presence, and they make very judicious use of the videos and narration to introducing them.  They're a great storyteller and really know how to shape an evening.  I started crying when they talked about the present they got and basically never stopped til the end, but it was so nice to see such a wonderful story being told of growing up queer.  I do wish they were doing a 5pm show on Saturday because I think that could be a good opportunity for people to see it between shows since it's short and so well worth the watch.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/14/25 at 5:52am

Kad said: "iluvtheatertrash said: "It's really blowing my mind how many of you watched the show and STILL are misgendering Rob. Were you even paying attention?"

Nobody is doing it intentionally or maliciously."

I didn’t say anyone was doing it intentionally or maliciously. But it blows my mind that you could sit through THAT Show and still make that mistake.

[quizking101]

Posted: 6/14/25 at 8:13am

iluvtheatertrash said: "Kad said: "iluvtheatertrash said: "It's really blowing my mind how many of you watched the show and STILL are misgendering Rob. Were you even paying attention?"

Nobody is doing it intentionally or maliciously."

I didn’t say anyone was doing it intentionally or maliciously. But it blows my mind that you could sit through THAT Show and still make that mistake."

Girl. Chill. 

Your response is attacking them in a way that assumes they are. People are human and sometimes they slip up. I was talking to friends about the show last night at 2am and I biffed on the pronoun once. I realized my error and kept it moving.

Give people some grace to realize their mistake and correct themselves. This sanctimoniousness ain’t it.

[Wick3]

Posted: 6/14/25 at 9:51am

iluvtheatertrash said: "Kad said: "iluvtheatertrash said: "It's really blowing my mind how many of you watched the show and STILL are misgendering Rob. Were you even paying attention?"

Nobody is doing it intentionally or maliciously."

I didn’t say anyone was doing it intentionally or maliciously. But it blows my mind that you could sit through THAT Show and still make that mistake."

I watched the show and the main focus of the show was how Rob’s parents raised Rob back in the 00s, not Rob’s they/them pronouns. I barely remember Rob mentioning pronouns but do remember what a loving home environment the Rob grew up in.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/14/25 at 10:12am

Rob never mentions pronouns in the show. The closest THEY got was when the video of the dad saying “we don’t know if you’re a boy or a girl yet” and Rob saying something like “and we still don’t!”

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 6/14/25 at 11:05am

I think one really must give a little grace and patience given that they titled the show with gendered words... 

[1 Minute Critic]

Posted: 6/14/25 at 1:44pm

1 Minute Critic review
I was one of the early cynics wondering how Rob Madge’s solo show could survive when a limited Broadway run was announced for February 2024. I wasn’t alone. But Madge, who’s been producing “living room shows” since they were a toddler, believes—as they sing—”Anything is Possible.” I stand corrected. FULL REVIEW HERE

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/14/25 at 1:56pm

I had no idea what to expect but this was soooo charming and wonderful. Madge is such a compelling presence and storyteller. I’m glad it finally came to New York and I’m glad I got to see it.

That said, it feels completely out of place at City Center and would have felt equally out of place at the Lyceum. It makes me question the sanity of the lead producers –– why they thought it could have found a sustainable audience on Broadway, and why they thought this short run in a huge house could have any benefit to their investors. As others have said, the mezz was not full, the balcony was closed, and there was no shortage of comps.

It’s like Kevin Spacey doing Clarence Darrow at Arthur Ashe Stadium all over again.

A few weeks at the Minetta Lane or the Connelly or the Soho Playhouse or Greenwich House or even the basement at City Center would have been far better.

Updated On: 6/14/25 at 01:56 PM

[Robbie2]

Posted: 6/14/25 at 5:41pm

iluvtheatertrash said: "Kad said: "iluvtheatertrash said: "It's really blowing my mind how many of you watched the show and STILL are misgendering Rob. Were you even paying attention?"

Nobody is doing it intentionally or maliciously."

I didn’t say anyone was doing it intentionally or maliciously. But it blows my mind that you could sit through THAT Show and still make that mistake."

people having a hissy fit over pronouns 

[UWS10023]

Posted: 6/14/25 at 6:02pm

Robbie2 said: "iluvtheatertrash said: "Kad said: "iluvtheatertrash said: "It's really blowing my mind how many of you watched the show and STILL are misgendering Rob. Were you even paying attention?"

Nobody is doing it intentionally or maliciously."

I didn’t say anyone was doing it intentionally or maliciously. But it blows my mind that you could sit through THAT Show and still make that mistake."

people having a hissy fit over pronouns"

Really! I am sure Rob could care less. Rob must be thrilled that so many of us loved the show and were moved by it. The poster who keeps going on about it seems to want to be the smartest person in the room. It is so boring.

 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 6/14/25 at 7:05pm

It’s just a little ironic that people are supposedly enjoying and moved by something and then miss that aspect of it. Whether you care about pronouns or not, a lot of other people do, and it’s 2025. It’s not that difficult to pickup and just go along with as a form of acknowledgment and respect. Just how people have preferred names/nicknames and expect that to be respected as well. 

It very well may be accidental, but it’s understandable how it comes across as careless - especially when people double down and become argumentative about it. Take the note, apply it, and move on. Not that hard. 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 6/14/25 at 7:27pm

I saw the show last night and Rob never mentioned their pronouns.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 6/15/25 at 12:09am

I loved this, it is a shame its NYC run got so mis-produced and its beeing burned off like this (supposedly due to a contractual obligation). This would have been a gem off-broadway for a few months and then hopefully would have traveled around to a few other cities, having now seen it, truly baffling that anyone would have tried to bring it straight to Broadway. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 6/15/25 at 12:39am

When the name is “Rob”, with a mustache (at least in all promo shots), and a receding hairline to rival Danny Burstein, perhaps the entrenched social conditioning that leads to “he” can be more easily forgiven.