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

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

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.

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.

…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.

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.

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.


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Went with Giant 😬

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

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.

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!

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

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?

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

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.