SCHMIGADOON! had to “change my point of view” to support a darker, sexier version of a second season. And yet, it has done just that. Most sequels (not just musicals) go dark. And would audiences want to see another season of characters being happy? It would grow stale quickly. Instead, we are treated to the same cast, mostly in different roles playing an entirely different musical production.Â
Out of the two-episode premiere, the second, “Doorway to Where,” was the overall better experience. I could “blame Jazz” for the weaker first episode, but instead, I realized that the creators had to push the plot forward quickly. In UP-like storytelling fashion, we are treated to a two-year montage of Josh (Keegan-Michael Key) and Melissa (Cecily Strong) having found “love” but still in search of “happiness.” That happiness drives them to “Schmicago,” a spoof of the musical genre in the late 1960s-70s. Â
What keeps me coming back to SCMHIGADOON!
- The Songs – The writers have catchy hooks and satirical lyrics down. And that winning streak continues into season two.
- The cast – A mix of Broadway stars and comedians keeps things fresh. They know when to go big and also when to play it subtly.Â
- The writing – I’m shocked that showrunner Cinco Paul can add something new to the musical genre while also paying homage to its history.Â
SCHMIGADOON! is not a “standard play.”It’s a chance for audiences to experience theatre in their homes. While our leads may struggle to find happiness, this show continues to make me happy weekly.
It’s available to sing a long to on Apple TV+.