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Schmigadoon!
Broadway promotional poster
Music Cinco Paul
Lyrics Cinco Paul
Book Cinco Paul
Basis Schmigadoon!
by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio
Productions 2025 Washington, D.C.
2026 Broadway

Schmigadoon! is a musical with book, music, and lyrics by Cinco Paul.[1] It is an adaptation of the first season[2] of the 2021 musical television series of the same name co-created by Paul and Ken Daurio. It includes songs both from the TV series, as well as original songs written by Paul for the stage.[3] The plot follows two New York City doctors, Melissa Gimble and Josh Skinner, struggling with their romantic relationship, who find themselves trapped in the titular magical town similar to the setting of a Golden Age musical, populated by colorful people who frequently break into song.

The musical premiered at the Eisenhower Theater at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., directed and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, and opened on Broadway in April 2026.

Background

The original television series was created by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, with all songs written by Paul.[4] It premiered on July 16, 2021,[5] starring an ensemble cast led by Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key as Melissa and Josh. Blending satire and homage,[6] Schmigadoon! alluded to various Golden Age musicals of the 1940s and '50s in a pastiche of their plots and song styles. The title, specifically, is a send up of the 1947 musical Brigadoon, which similarly follows travelers getting trapped inside a magical town.[7][8] Choreography was by Christopher Gattelli. The series was renewed for a second season focusing on the darker, edgier themes of 1960s and '70s musicals.[9] It was not renewed again,[10] though Paul has since said that he has written a complete third season spoofing 80s and 90s musicals.[11]

The musical adapts the first season of the TV series.[2] Differences include removing the opening flashbacks of each episode, cutting scenes involving characters such as Doc Lopez's parents, and the addition and modification of some songs.[12] Paul revealed that the musical not only compresses the six episodes of season one into a single story and simplifies the setting, but it restores some items that were cut from TV production; he also hopes to adapt all three seasons for the stage.[2]

A workshop presentation of the musical in June 2024 featured Sara Chase as Melissa Gimble, Alex Brightman as Josh Skinner, Joy Woods as Emma Tate, Kevin Del Aguila as Reverend Layton and the Leprechaun, Claybourne Elder as Danny Bailey, Beth Leavel as Mildred Layton, Mauricio Martinez as Doc Lopez, Ruthie Ann Miles as Florence Menlove and Countess von Blerkom, Brad Oscar as Mayor Menlove, and Stephanie Styles as Betsy McDonough.[13]

Productions

Washington, D.C. (2025)

The musical premiered at the Eisenhower Theater at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as part of the Broadway Center Stage series from January 31 until February 9, 2025. The production was directed and choreographed by Gattelli.[14][15] Reprising their workshop roles were Brightman as Josh, Chase as Melissa, Del Aguila as Reverend Layton and Oscar as Mayor Menlove. Ann Harada reprised her role from the original series as Florence Menlove. New cast members included McKenzie Kurtz as Betsy, Isabelle McCalla as Emma, Javier Muñoz as Doc Lopez, Angel Reda as the Countess, Emily Skinner as Mildred, Ryan Vasquez as Danny, and Ayaan Diop as Carson.[12][16] The production featured orchestrations by Doug Besterman (who served as an executive music producer and orchestrator for the television series[citation needed]) and designs by Scott Pask (scenery), Linda Cho (costumes), Jen Schriever (lighting), Haley Parcher (sound) and Tom Watson (hair and makeup).[17]

Broadway (2026)

The production opened on Broadway on April 20, 2026, having begun previews on April 4, at the Nederlander Theatre. It is again directed and choreographed by Gatelli.[18] Brightman, Chase, Oscar, Harada, McCalla, Kurtz, and Diop all reprise their Washington roles,[18] with new cast members including Ana Gasteyer as Mildred, Maulik Pancholy as Reverend Layton and the Leprechaun, Ivan Hernandez as Doc, and Max Clayton (a Washington ensemble member) as Danny.[19][20] Pask, Cho, and Watson returned to design scenery, costumes, and hair and makeup, respectively, with Donald Holder designing lighting and Walter Trarbach designing sound.[18] Producers include Lorne Michaels, who also served as a producer on the original series.[20] The production was nominated for twelve Tony Awards, tied for the most in the season,[21] winning four: best musical, book, score and orchestrations.[22] The production is expected to run into at least 2027.[21]

North American Tour (2027)

A North American tour is expected to begin in late 2027 beginning at the Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in Baltimore, Maryland.[23]

Plot

Act 1

Josh Skinner, an orthopedic surgeon, and Melissa Gimble, an OBGYN, meet one night at their New York City hospital's vending machine and share a meet cute, leading to the beginning of a romantic relationship. The couple is happy at first but over the course of two years, their relationship grows strained and, feeling that Josh no longer wishes to fix their relationship problems, Melissa signs them up for a couples' retreat in the Catskills. One night, whilst lost in the woods during a rainstorm, they are in an argument and unknowingly stumble upon a bridge that leads them into the town of Schmigadoon. All of a sudden, music begins playing and they are welcomed through song by Mayor Aloysius Menlove and the townsfolk ("Schmigadoon!"). Though Josh is instantly ready to leave, Melissa convinces him to stay and they are escorted to the Schmigadoon Inn by Mildred Layton, Reverend Layton's wife who is instantly wary of their presence in town.

That night, Melissa wanders alone into the town fair, ran by "rapscalion" Danny Bailey. He instantly takes a liking to her, but declares to her that he has no intentions of settling down with anyone, though he is briefly able to imagine sharing a life and children with Melissa. ("You Can't Tame Me"). She applauds his song, which he claims he doesn't know he was singing, and she decides to leave. The next morning, she and Josh, towards whom their waitress, Betsy, is flirtatious, have breakfast and are told by the town about their favorite dish ("Corn Puddin'"). As they try to leave town, they are unable to cross the bridge out of town and a Leprechaun appears to tell them that until they find true love, they are stuck in Schmigadoon, "where life's a musical every day," ("Leprechaun Song"). They realize they are trapped in a literal musical and, after failing to cross again, Josh suggests that what they have must not be true love and that they should try to leave with other people in town. They begin to argue and Melissa realizes that Josh truly doesn't believe in their relationship and breaks up with him ("Lovers' Spat"). Betsy appears, consoling him over the breakup, and tells him about the town picnic basket auction that night, where the men of town bid on baskets made up by the women to go on a date with them to raise money for the town library. He agrees to go and she tells him how to spot her basket. Meanwhile, in the woods, Melissa encounters Mayor Menlove and he consoles her, alluding to his own repressed desires of love. Melissa realizes that he is gay and they form a friendship ("Somewhere Love Is Waiting for You").

Later, at the auction, Melissa gets intoxicated by drinking from the gentleman's punch bowl and, after watching Josh bid on and subsequently win Betsy's basket, auctions herself off, being won by Danny ("The Picnic Basket Auction"). Back at the fair, Melissa finds herself further attracted to Danny and finally gets her own song and dance to express her feelings, leading her to spend the night with him ("Enjoy the Ride"). Meanwhile, Josh and Betsy share a picnic in the woods and, realizing she is much younger than he thought, he tries to tell her that they won't be engaging in any romantic behavior ("I'm Not That Kinda Gal"). However, she kisses him anyways and they are discovered by her father, Farmer McDonough, who threatens him with a shotgun to propose to her. The next morning, Danny announces that he is in love with her ("You Done Tamed Me") but she tells him that he was just a casual rebound for her. Believing he has gotten Melissa pregnant (despite her informing him about her IUD), he vows that he will get money to support her and their child, even if it means stealing it. She leaves him and upon arriving at the town square, hears of Josh's engagement to Betsy ("I'm Engaged"). He explains that he had no choice and she tells him to end the engagement while she looks for someone to house them, as Mildred has had them banned from the Inn. However, Josh realizes that Betsy may be his ticket out of Schmigadoon and so invites her for a walk across the bridge, claiming that he has a family tradition in which he must cross a bridge with his betrothed to make sure it's true love. After they fail to leave the town, he calls off the engagement, and Betsy runs crying to her father. Josh decides he will try to cross the bridge with every other girl in town, in hopes that one of them may be his true love.

Melissa visits the Mayor's wife, Florence, for help and she tells Melissa that Doc Lopez, the town doctor, is looking for a new nurse and that the position would come with room and board. They bond over their shared struggles with the men in their life, with Florence specifically being unsure why Aloysius' actions are so queer ("What's the Matter with Men?"). Just then, Melissa learns that the engagement is off and believes that Josh may finally be able to commit to them, until she discovers his operation at the bridge ("Cross That Bridge"). She leaves him for the last time and goes to apply for Doc Lopez's nurse position, immediately finding herself attracted to him, while Josh realizes that the last girl he needs to try crossing the bridge with is local schoolmarm, Emma Tate. The townsfolk speculate on what may happen and tell the audience that they'll find out in the second act ("Act I Finale").

Act 2

Josh, who has been hired as Emma's handyman, arrives during her class and, after seemingly giving up on a task right away, is schooled by her and her students on the importance of commitment ("With All of Your Heart"). At the same time, Melissa has been hired as Doc's nurse and when he turns away an expectant couple, Nancy and Freddy, due to them being unwed, she informs them about the medical realities of childbirth ("Baby Talk"). In the town square, at the multifaith bakesale, Mayor Menlove and the Reverend Layton form a bond over their shared love of rhubarb squares and other pastries ("I Thought I Was the Only One"). Back at the school, Josh is discovered by Farmer McDonough, who once again threatens him with his shotgun, until Emma takes it from him and tells him to leave Josh alone and let Betsy make her own decisions. Josh begins to bond with Emma, feeling like he's finally found another level-headed person in town, but when music begins to play and he angrily decides to stop opening up with her, she leaves. He goes to ask Melissa for help at the doctor's office and she tells him that his situation is most similar to The Music Man, and suggests buying Carson, Emma's younger brother, a trumpet, while also telling him that he will eventually have to sing to express his feelings to her. When Nancy arrives in labor, Josh assists Melissa in delivering the baby and she wishes him good luck with Emma. Doc Lopez returns, outraged that Melissa would defy his orders and deliver the baby, when all of a sudden Danny arrives and threatens Doc with a knife, trying to stage a robbery to provide for the baby he still believes Melissa is having. However after falling on his own knife, he dies ("You Done Killed Me").

At Danny's funeral ("When the Night is Darkest"), Reverend Layton tells the congregation that they should live each day as their fullest selves, prompting Mayor Menlove to come out as homosexual in front of his wife and the rest of the town, following Melissa's suggestion ("Somewhere Love is Waiting for You (Coming Out Reprise)"). This pushes Mildred over the edge, and she realizes she must take matters into her own hands to revert the town back to its old self. Later, Josh surprises Carson with a kazoo, as he couldn't find a trumpet anywhere, and is able to inspire Carson to be himself. This impresses Emma, and Josh realizes Melissa was right. At the Doctor's Office, Doc Lopez apologizes to Melissa for being so close-minded and realizes that she can help him change to become a better man. He tells her that he finds himself falling in love with her and, across town, Emma tells Josh the same thing in a shared duet ("Suddenly"). Melissa and Doc Lopez begin a relationship as Josh and Emma do the same.

The next day, Mildred begins a smear campaign against Josh and Melissa, riling up the townsfolk into deciding that they should elect her as the next mayor of Schmigadoon in the upcoming election ("Tribulation"). On a picnic date with Josh, Emma reveals that she is actually Carson's mother, not his sister, as she has told the rest of the town. Both Josh and Carson, who has overheard this, accept her for who she is and decide to cross the bridge with Josh to begin a new life in New York. At the Doctor's office, Melissa and Doc Lopez are surprised by the arrival of Doc's fiancee, Countess Gabrielle von Blerkom, who threatens Melissa with a pistol for trying to steal her man. Doc tells the Countess that their engagement is off, as he has fallen in love with Melissa, and proposes to her on the spot. However, she is conflicted about what to answer and realizes that she is still in love with Josh ("Melissa's Epiphany"). Doc and the Countess tell Melissa to go tell Josh her true feelings and she runs off to do so. Meanwhile, as Josh, Emma, and Carson prepare to leave town, he is struck by his memories of his first time meeting Melissa ("Dream Ballet") and Emma realizes that he still has feelings for her. She similarly tells Josh to express his true love for her and he runs off.

In the town square, the mayoral election is underway ("Election Day") and the entire town is prepared to vote for Mildred. Josh and Melissa arrive and while Melissa apologizes for being a perfectionist in their relationship and tells him that she does believe he is her true love. In response, he finally sings to her, finally expressing that he feels the same and is truly in love with her ("You Make Me Wanna Sing"). Mildred shames them, and still insists that they have caused chaos in Schmigadoon, though Emma and the other townfolk insist that they have changed it for the better. Florence appears in support of the mayor, Emma reveals that Carson is actually her son, Reverend Layton comes out as well and expresses his feelings for Aloysius, and the other townsfolk reveal their secrets, finally feeling free to do so. Mildred condems them all and when the vote is held, the town unanimously re-elects Menlove. Mildred melts down in front of the crowd and Melissa and Josh tell her that it's okay to not be perfect and embrace change, leading her to finally reconnect with Nancy - who is revealed to be her daughter - and her new baby. The rest of the town reflects on how they have all changed and escort Josh and Melissa to the bridge where they finally cross the bridge out of Schmigadoon ("How We Change/Finale").

Casts

Character Washington, D.C. Broadway
2025 2026
Josh Skinner Alex Brightman
Melissa Gimble Sara Chase
Mildred Layton Emily Skinner Ana Gasteyer
Florence Menlove Ann Harada
Mayor Menlove Brad Oscar
Emma Tate Isabelle McCalla
Doc Lopez Javier Muñoz Ivan Hernandez
Reverend Layton /
Leprechaun		 Kevin Del Aguila Maulik Pancholy
Danny Bailey Ryan Vasquez Max Clayton
Betsy McDonough McKenzie Kurtz
Carson Tate Ayaan Diop
Countess von Blerkom Angel Reda Afra Hines

Musical numbers

Key

  • † New song not featured in the original series.
  • ‡ Replaced songs from the original series including "Enjoy the Ride (Part II)", "He's a Queer One, That Man o' Mine", and "Va-Gi-Na".

Reception

Reviewing the Kennedy Center production, Rhoda Feng of Vulture wrote: "Gattelli moves things along at a brisk pace." She praised the book, music, and lyrics as "a rhapsodic remix of – and tribute to – Broadway classics" and enjoyed the new duet "I Thought I Was the Only One". She thought, however, that the show's "handling of race strikes a discordant note" by eliminating some of the sensitive allusions to race seen in the TV series, noting: "Casting a white actor as Josh diminishes the opportunities for the show to probe these problems. Lines from the TV series about 'color-blind casting' and 'miscegenation' have vanished". She found Josh's character diminished and simplified by providing less of his backstory. Nevertheless, she praised both Brightman and Chase, as well as the "bell-voiced" McCalla, Harada, set and lighting, concluding that "Schmigadoon! offers a heady dose of Golden Age escapism". Maybe too heady at times."[12] Some other reviewers had mixed reactions: Naveen Kumar of The Washington Post missed "the specifics of the relationship between Josh and Melissa" but found the score infectious, while some gave the musical strong praise ("Schmigadoon is a gloriously delightful night of escape at the theatre. ... What it lacks in technical perfection, it makes up for in witty one-liners and all-too-familiar songs. It executes musical parody as never seen before on stage". – Aidan O'Connor, of MD Theatre Guide).[24]

The Broadway production received mostly positive reviews. Review aggregator Did They Like It? listed 13 positive reviews, 4 mixed reviews, and one negative review.[25] Elisabeth Vincentelli of The New York Times gave it a "Critic's Pick", calling it a "blast" and said, "You don’t need to have memorized the Rodgers and Hammerstein songbook to have a good time, but knowledge of some musical-theater fundamentals adds an extra layer – or 10 – to the enjoyment."[26] By contrast, Johnny Oleksinski of The New York Post gave the show two stars out of four, calling it a "tired parody" and saying, "Melissa and Josh are ready to leave Schmigadoon. And so are we."[27]

Awards and nominations

Broadway production

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2026 Drama League Awards Outstanding Production of a Musical Nominated [28][29]
Distinguished Performance Sara Chase Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding New Broadway Musical Won [30]
Outstanding Book of a Musical Cinco Paul Won
Outstanding Choreography Christopher Gattelli Won
Outstanding Orchestrations Doug Besterman and Mike Morris Won
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical Sara Chase Nominated
Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical Max Clayton Nominated
Outstanding Scenic Design Scott Pask Nominated
Outstanding Costume Design Linda Cho Won
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Musical Won [31]
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical Max Clayton Nominated
McKenzie Kurtz Nominated
Outstanding Choreography Christopher Gattelli Won
Tony Awards Best Musical Won [32][22]
Best Book of a Musical Cinco Paul Won
Best Score Cinco Paul Won
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Sara Chase Nominated
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical Ana Gasteyer Nominated
Best Scenic Design of a Musical Scott Pask Nominated
Best Costume Design of a Musical Linda Cho Nominated
Best Lighting Design of a Musical Donald Holder Nominated
Best Sound Design of a Musical Walter Trarbach Nominated
Best Direction of a Musical Christopher Gattelli Nominated
Best Choreography Christopher Gattelli Nominated
Best Orchestrations Doug Besterman and Mike Morris Won
Chita Rivera Award Outstanding Dancer in a Broadway Show Isabelle McCalla Won [33]
Max Clayton Won
Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show Won
Dorian Award Outstanding Broadway Musical Won [34][35]
Outstanding LGBTQ Broadway Production Nominated
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Broadway Musical Sara Chase Nominated
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Broadway Musical Max Clayton Nominated
Ana Gasteyer Nominated
Outstanding Broadway Ensemble Company Nominated
Outstanding Original Score of a Broadway Production Cinco Paul Nominated
Outstanding Book of a Broadway Musical Won
Outstanding Design of a Broadway Production Nominated

See also

  • Schm-reduplication, indicating irony or sarcasm

References

  1. ^ Floyd, Thomas (May 7, 2024). "Canceled TV show Schmigadoon! will live on as a stage musical". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Culwell-Block, Logan. "Is Schmigadoon! Destined to Become a Stage Musical Trilogy?", Playbill, January 29, 2025
  3. ^ Swift, Andy. "Schmigadoon! Being Adapted into Stage Musical, Set for 2025 Debut", Aol, May 7, 2024
  4. ^ "Schmigadoon!, from executive producer Lorne Michaels and starring Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key, to premiere globally this summer on Apple TV+". Apple.com (Press release). February 19, 2021. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  5. ^ BWW News Desk (April 30, 2021). "Breaking: Broadway-Packed Schmigadoon! Musical Series Will Premiere This July on Apple TV+ - First Look!". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  6. ^ Rubins, Dan "Review: Schmigadoon! Dithers Between Homage and Satire of Musical Theater", Slant Magazine, July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2023
  7. ^ Edwards, Belen. "The original songs in Schmigadoon! perfectly capture the joy of musicals" Archived July 29, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, Mashable, July 22, 2021
  8. ^ Eckmann, Sam. "Making of Schmigadoon!" Archived January 1, 2023, at the Wayback Machine at time marking 16:10, GoldDerby.com via Youtube, June 6, 2022
  9. ^ Cao, Caroline (May 3, 2023). "Schmigadoon season 2's many musical theater references missed one crucial thing". Polygon. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  10. ^ Petski, Denise (January 18, 2024). "Schmigadoon! Canceled After 2 Seasons at Apple TV+". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  11. ^ "Schmigadoon! Creator Reveals Into the Schmoods Theme for the Show's Canceled Third Season". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
  12. ^ a b c Feng, Rhoda. "At the Kennedy Center, Schmigadoon! Briefly Reappears Through the Mist", Vulture, February 3, 2025
  13. ^ "Rialto Chatter: Schmigadoon! Gets Presentation – Workshop Cast Revealed!", BroadwayWorld, June 15, 2024
  14. ^ "World-Premiere Stage Adaptation of Schmigadoon! Is Coming to the Kennedy Center in 2025". Broadway.com. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  15. ^ Evans, Greg (May 7, 2024). "Schmigadoon! Stage Musical Adaptation of Apple TV+ Series to Get World Premiere in D.C. Next Winter". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  16. ^ "Casting has been announced for the Schmigadoon! stage musical", WhatsOnStage, November 18, 2024
  17. ^ Major, Michael. "Video: Watch the First Schmigadoon! Teaser from the Kennedy Center", BroadwayWorld.com, December 27, 2024
  18. ^ a b c Culwell-Block, Logan. "Alex Brightman and Sara Chase Are Going to Schmigadoon! on Broadway", Playbill, October 15, 2025
  19. ^ Parris, Simon. "Schmigadoon review [Broadway 2026"], Man in Chair, April 6, 2026
  20. ^ a b Evans, Greg (February 11, 2026). "Ana Gasteyer Joins Broadway's Schmigadoon! as Production Rounds Out Cast". Deadline. Retrieved March 12, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ a b Gans, Andrew. "Max Clayton Is Shot Out of a Canon, Literally, in Schmigadoon! He's Having a Blast", Playbill, May 15, 2026
  22. ^ a b Russo, Gillian. "2026 Tony Award winners announced", New York Theatre Guide, June 7, 2026
  23. ^ "Broadway's Schmigadoon! to Launch National Tour in Baltimore". Tours To You. May 21, 2026. Retrieved May 25, 2026.
  24. ^ Wright, Joshua. "Review Roundup: Schmigadoon! World Premiere at the Kennedy Center", BroadwayWorld, February 3, 2025
  25. ^ "Schmigadoon! – Did They Like It". Did They Like It?. April 20, 2026. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  26. ^ Vincentelli, Elisabeth (April 20, 2026). "Schmigadoon! Review: Oh, What a Beautiful Sendup". The New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  27. ^ Oleksinski, Johnny (April 20, 2026). "Schmigadoon! review: Tired parody of Broadway's Golden Age is been there, 'doon that". The New York Post. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  28. ^ Gans, Andrew (April 20, 2026). "2026 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List". Playbill. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  29. ^ Hipes, Patrick (April 20, 2026). "Daniel Radcliffe, Luke Evans Among Drama League Award Nominees". Deadline. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  30. ^ Russo, Gillian (May 11, 2026). "2026 Outer Critics Circle Award winners announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  31. ^ Gordon, David. "Schmigadoon!, Two Strangers Land Drama Desk Best Musical Nominations", TheaterMania, April 29, 2026
  32. ^ "The Tony Award Nominations". Tony Awards. May 5, 2026. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  33. ^ "Winners – Chita Rivera Awards". chitariveraawards.com. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  34. ^ Mandell, Jonathan (May 13, 2026). "2026 Dorian Theater Award Nominations: Schmigadoon, Lost Boys lead". New York Theater. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  35. ^ Mandell, Jonathan (June 1, 2026). "2026 Dorian Theater Award winners: Schmigadoon. Prince Faggot. Ragtime: Joshua. Junior. Quincy. Qween". New York Theater. Retrieved June 1, 2026.