THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA musical headed to the UK and West End in 2024- Page 8

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 12/6/24 at 7:15pm

Mickey Jo has always struck me as being simply optimistic and supportive. Of course, any independent critic who lacks the secure access offered to those with traditional media employment is going to have to filter their reactions in a certain way. If you want to see some real knob-slobbing, explore the world of Disney vloggers.

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 12/6/24 at 7:45pm

Mickey Jo makes his living reviewing theater. It is not a hobby or pastime; therefore it is his profession, so he is a professional.

Updated On: 12/6/24 at 07:45 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/6/24 at 9:43pm

Sounds like the book writer should have been replaced, no?

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 12/6/24 at 11:30pm

FANtomFollies said: "Mickey Jo makes his living reviewing theater. It is not a hobby or pastime;therefore it is his profession, so he is a professional."

That’s great if it’s true, but how does he make a living from YouTubing? Through ads? Legitimate question.

[Braniff Forever]

Posted: 12/7/24 at 6:00am

I saw on FB the husband of Jerry Mitchell, Ricky Schroeder get cattty with someone who panned Thr Devil Wears Prada

[Theatrefan2]

Posted: 12/7/24 at 6:54am

Mickeyjoe is just a random theatre fan who started a youtube channel. He is no more qualified than anyone on here tbh.

He gets most of his tickets for free (and accommodation when in nyc) and doesn't seem to see shows that won't give him freebies (based on his own previous comments). He also clearly has favourites in the industry and wants to keep people on side for his own gain (e.g. appearing in his solo cabarets). I'd say his 'reviews' usually have a heavy bias to them.

His views in general do not earn much to live off and sustain a heavy theatre and travel lifestyle.  Hence the freebies.

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 12/7/24 at 7:21am

RippedMan said: "Sounds like the book writer should have been replaced, no?"

I have never met a Kate Wetherhead book that I’ve liked.

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 12/7/24 at 7:27pm

…I actually kinda liked this? There are still loads of improvements they could still make but the amount of changes they’ve done is really impressive. It honestly feels like they’ve done significant work on almost the entire show.

[George in DC]

Posted: 12/7/24 at 8:49pm

RippedMan said: "Sounds like the book writer should have been replaced, no?"

Yes. The composer too.

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 12/9/24 at 7:15pm

Looking at my notes from the Chicago run and I think this show is now in a position where the changes they need to make are scene-to-scene, rather than a wholesale overhaul, which they've already effectively done.

As a musical, it still gets stuck at being just okay too often, and a lot of the numbers feel like incomplete thoughts, or are just missing that extra dramatic element. There are a lot of opportunities for a little expansion or extra dimension to these songs.

Dress Your Way Up, for example, is catchy, but it settles for just being a fun makeover bit, while the opportunity is there for it to also show us more of Nigel's perspective on personal transformation. This is a moment where he could be seducing both Andy and the audience, while also setting us up for the (new!) Finally Seen reprise in the second act, where we realize the extent to which he's just a sad, deluded lapdog. As it is now, the two parts are separate, but with just a little adjusting the first could feed directly into the second. There's a lot of that in this version, bits that just don't quite connect but very clearly should, and could with minor changes.

Miranda getting more to sing is a great choice. I do wish "that's all" were slipped more casually into the House of Miranda number but it's great that she has more of a voice in this, which leads better to her final number. The bit she has in Paris where she sings to the city is very, very intriguing, and I love how minor key and kind of disturbing it is. I'm also glad that they've decided to just give her the cerulean monologue as dialogue in this, it works much better unadorned.

Emily also functions much better here, though I almost wish that, instead of getting a cold and then being hit by a Prius, she screws up at the ball and then later collapses due to malnutrition. It would be darker, but also sharper, and would tie more into the arc of her starving herself in the first act. I was honestly surprised they didn't have her come out in front of the curtain after intermission to have a breakdown about not going to Paris.

Andy's boyfriend's role is definitely improved as well - "I Only Love You For Your Body" does a great job of showing us what they're both like as normal human beings, both silly and jokey and then earnestly into each other. I like the suggestion that Andy screwing up the birthday celebration is suggested to have actual ramifications for his career, and I wish they'd play that up more.

I've seen a fair amount of criticism that the second act drags in comparison to the first, but I like that it zooms in on this one specific pressure-cooker event. It's missing a level of intrigue, but I'm glad that they've leaned more into the tension for the second act.

Clearly their decision when revamping the show was to hew closer to the movie, rather than completely reinvent it, which is a bit of a shame because there's a lot to chew on in how the fashion industry has changed. Given that they've already announced an extension, I'd be surprised if they put any more serious work into it, which is also a shame. Some lyric changes, some cuts, and some reshaping would go a very long way.

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 4:11pm

The Devil Wars Prada 2 has begun filming and Kenneth Branagh has joined the cast as Miranda Priestley's husband.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 7/2/25 at 5:44am

Quick aside for anyone who’s seen this and Giant in London: I have an opportunity to see one or the other this afternoon. I lve seen and loved Giant, so that’s a sure bet, but wondering if I should try something new instead. 
 

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. 
 

edit

Went with Giant 😬

Updated On: 7/2/25 at 05:44 AM

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 7/2/25 at 9:40am

SteveSanders said: "The Devil Wars Prada 2 has begun filming and Kenneth Branagh has joined the cast as Miranda Priestley's husband."

Can the nederlander marquee fit a giant red high heel?

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 7/2/25 at 1:37pm

Saw Devil Wears Prada in London in March- and do not recommend it. First of all, the music is mediocre at best- very underwhelming and disappointing. The story is basically a retelling of the movie- with nothing new to offer. the costumes are flashy- the acting is good- but really- I think you can doing better with another show. 

[DiscoCrows]

Posted: 7/6/25 at 1:41am

SO saying this possibly takes the Nederlander after the Jeff Ross limited engagement ends this fall.

I think a transfer has only ever been a question of if - not when. This or next season would not surprise me.

[Skywalker3]

Posted: 7/6/25 at 4:54am

From one of London's largest stages to the somewhat narrow Netherlander.. 

I've always been a fan of Jerry Mitchell's work, but after Kinky Boots it's just gone downhill. I did not like this at all!

[KrupYou]

Posted: 7/6/25 at 8:45am

I hope this comes to NYC. I loved the film and the book

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 7/6/25 at 9:17am

Skywalker3 said: "From one of London's largest stages to the somewhat narrow Netherlander..

I've always been a fan of Jerry Mitchell's work, but after Kinky Boots it's just gone downhill. I did not like this at all!"

This was the worst show I saw in London in the last year. I believe people would still buy tickets because of the IP LOL, especially the tourists 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 7/6/25 at 10:40am

I haven't watched anything from the perspiring one in a LONG time... but I told y'all this was coming to Broadway months ago, and that this would be a season to remember for Shaina Taub. I recall quite a few folx here "LOL"ing at me.

On name recognition alone, I could see this having a NOTEBOOK or PRETTY WOMAN-type trajectory. Certainly not a hit in NY, but runs long enough, let's say 9-12 months, to spawn a high-caliber touring production that may rake in more $$$.

I just watched through "Theater Camp" for the first time this weekend (don't know how I put that film off for so long) and now I need Nathan Lee Graham to play Nigel.

And I'll say this again: bring back Christian Thompson as Christian Thompson. It's just too perfect :)

 

 

 

[DaveyG]

Posted: 7/6/25 at 10:58am

Is Shaina Taub still involved? I see the credits now say: Lyrics by Shaina Taub & Mark Sonnenblick. 

I assumed Shaina bailed to concentrate on Suffs. Anyone have any insight to whether she's still involved? 

[theatreguy]

Posted: 7/6/25 at 11:32am

Shaina was unavailable for re-writes in the lead up to the London production due to Suffs but I believe she was the person who recommended Mark Sonnenblick as they've worked together before. She attended the opening in London so even if she's not actively involved in future productions it's not like she's disowned it. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/6/25 at 2:58pm

Sweaty also claimed this is transferring without Williams. So now there will be a third round of speculation to see who plays Miranda. I have a hard time seeing anyone of actual bona fide fame saying yes to this project for 8-12 months unless she REALLY needs the cash…

Honestly, if they open next spring right before the Tony cutoff the timing could work real well because the sequel movie is coming out May 1, 2026.

Nederlander is a good house because it’s not huge like the Lunt or Marquis or Palace.

Updated On: 7/6/25 at 02:58 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/6/25 at 3:34pm

Williams hinted that she will be with the show until Christmas, so maybe that’s enough of a break for her to bring it here? It’s doing very well (surprisingly well) in London so it’s possible it could have a life on Broadway. One of the things that makes it as enjoyable as it is is Williams and Amy Di Bartolomeo as Emily, so hopefully New York would at least be blessed with Amy. 

As I’ve said before, this show is far from perfect but the changes they made, have made it a surprisingly entertaining evening. The message boards have already decided though, that it’s the worst musical ever made and will be eaten alive here if and when it does open.

[always bway]

Posted: 7/6/25 at 3:42pm

This show is for tourists and people who love the movie. It won't change the world, but I saw it twice in London,  and both times the audience came dressed to the nines! Maybe more important than being a good show these days, it is instead an event. 

Yes I bet it comes to NYC -  its staging and schtick is reminiscent of Boop but Prada has IP recognition so could last a bit longer. Won't be a Tony favorite though. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 7/6/25 at 3:47pm

Love the suggestion for Nathan Graham Lee as Nigel.

I wonder if any of them Chicago cast would be offered to return to the show for broadway, like the aforementioned Christian Thompson. Personally, I would love to see Megan Masako Haley back as Emily. Aside for Williams, I don’t think these producers would make the investment transferring any of the London cast.