Podcast Summary: MickeyJoTheatre – Everything Mickey-Jo Did in 2024 | Looking Back on a Year of Memories as a Theatre Critic and YouTuber

Episode Information:

• Title: Everything Mickey-Jo Did in 2024 | Looking Back on a Year of Memories as a Theatre Critic and YouTuber
• Host/Author: MickeyJoTheatre (Miki Jo)
• Release Date: January 3, 2025

Introduction

In this special reflective episode, Miki Jo, the passionate host of MickeyJoTheatre, takes listeners on an extensive journey through his bustling and eventful year of 2024. As a leading voice in theatre criticism with a substantial YouTube following, Miki Jo shares his experiences, challenges, and memorable moments both on and off the stage. The episode serves as both a personal memoir and an insightful look into the life of a dedicated theatre critic navigating partnerships, international travels, live events, and content creation.

Early Year Partnerships and Projects (January-February)

January marked the beginning of an exciting partnership with London Theatre Magazine (now londontheatre.co.uk), part of the TodayTix family. This collaboration involved creating engaging Instagram reel content, which Miki Jo found both fulfilling and unexpectedly time-consuming. He humorously notes, “[...] It turns out it’s more like an entire afternoon and sometimes an entire day” (00:03:30).

Additionally, January saw Miki Jo and his fiancée Erin embark on their third trip to New York, focusing on theater expeditions in Brooklyn, including the 9am Theatre. They witnessed the closing of Harmony and House Dancing Ohio, and were pleasantly surprised by the innovative production of The Connector (00:04:45).

In February, Miki Jo continued his active engagement with the theatre community by live-tweeting the Watson Stage Awards. He reflects on the high-pressure environment of real-time social media coverage: “...the most stressful hours of my life” (00:07:10). The highlight of February was attending the Olivier Awards, where he candidly shares his experience of wearing a “white multicolored floral suit” and the overwhelming feeling of being part of such a prestigious event (00:08:50).

International Travel and Shows (March-July)

March was dedicated to European theatre, with a significant focus on Hamburg, Germany. Miki Jo, Erin, and their friend Sean attended multiple shows, including Hercules des Heldenhaften at Theater Neue Flora, Frozen (Die Eiskönigin), and Tanzda Vampire. Miki Jo expresses his deep appreciation for German theatre culture: “I also just love Germany. I think it’s a very calming place to be” (00:05:15).

In April, the spotlight remained on the Olivier Awards, where Miki Jo balanced the excitement of the ceremony with the exhaustion of preparing and attending: “I honestly could not do anything that I am doing... without Aaron James at my side” (00:08:20). Following the awards, a significant New York trip unfolded, lasting two and a half weeks and packed with theatre shows, networking events, and memorable encounters, including meeting Kate Rankin and experiencing the vibrant Broadway scene (00:09:30).

May was a whirlwind of commitments, highlighted by the inaugural Mickey Jo Theatre Live event at the Phoenix Arts Club. Miki Jo describes the experience as “terrifying and wonderful,” detailing interactions with friends, family, and notable West End talents like Jacob Fowler and Grace Moat (00:10:10). This event set the stage for future live shows, with plans for more performances in 2025 (00:10:25).

Live Events and Q&As (June-August)

June proved to be an exceptionally busy month, with continuous events and shows every single day. Miki Jo recounts attending high-profile productions such as Sister Act, Kiss Me Kate, and participating in press junkets for Mean Girls and Edinburgh Fringe events (00:12:00). The relentless schedule taught him valuable lessons about time management and the importance of prioritizing events.

In July, Miki Jo hosted Rolls will never play alongside Luke Baer at the Lyric Theatre, engaging with performers and enjoying backstage camaraderie. He also ventured on a transformative North American theatre trip, visiting Gander, Newfoundland to experience a non-replica production of Come From Away. This journey was both professionally rewarding and personally moving, as Miki Jo highlights the profound impact of witnessing the show’s connection to the community (00:14:00).

August was dominated by the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, intertwined with Erin’s birthday celebrations. Miki Jo describes the frenzy of attending numerous shows back-to-back, interacting with international friends, and managing the chaos of hostel life: “We took a break in the middle for Aaron’s birthday, went down, celebrated with his family” (00:16:45). The festival provided a vibrant backdrop for immersing himself in diverse theatrical productions and expanding his critical horizons.

Significant Collaborations and Highlights (October-December)

In October, Miki Jo participated in Beam, a new musical theatre conference focused on curating and presenting new musicals. He reflects on the inspiration drawn from the innovative works and the honor of contributing to the selection process: “I was just truly so inspired by all of these artists” (00:18:30).

The latter part of the year included a return to MusicalCon, attending the first day while planning another live show. Travels continued with visits to various Western shows and a significant return to New York during the intense period of the US elections, which affected the theatrical landscape profoundly (00:19:50).

December was a culmination of intense content creation, driven by the Wicked Movie phenomenon. Miki Jo leveraged this trend to produce engaging videos analyzing the film's nuances, significantly increasing his online engagement: “That’s one of my favorite things, is when we all get to collectively share a moment” (00:21:30). Collaborations flourished, including partnerships with Great Thameslink Railway, London Theatre Direct, and a notable collaboration with the National Theatre. This partnership was particularly special as Miki Jo delved into the history of National Theatre Live, a long-standing personal interest (00:22:45).

Personal Reflections and Lessons Learned

Throughout the episode, Miki Jo offers candid reflections on the challenges of maintaining a balance between professional commitments and personal well-being. He acknowledges the need to potentially scale back in the coming year to achieve a healthier work-life balance: “I saw 264 shows, I think, in 2024, and I probably need to resolve to see fewer in 2025” (00:24:00). Despite the relentless pace, he underscores the invaluable support from his partner, Aaron James, emphasizing that their collaboration is the cornerstone of his success: “Aaron has been such a rock and such a comfort throughout all of that” (00:25:10).

Miki Jo also discusses his aspirations for 2025, including expanding his live events, enhancing Q&A sessions, and continuing to support emerging theatrical talents. He expresses a desire to maintain authenticity in his content while managing the increasing demands of his growing platform.

Notable Quotes

• On Time Management and Content Creation:

  • “...It turns out it’s more like an entire afternoon and sometimes an entire day” (00:03:30)

• Reflecting on Olivier Awards Experience:

  • “I was emotionally exhausted. I'm emotionally overwhelmed.” (00:08:50)

• On International Theatre Appreciation:

  • “I also just love Germany. I think it's a very calming place to be.” (00:05:15)

• Discussing the Impact of Come From Away:

  • “It was just such a rewarding experience to be there with Aaron.” (00:14:00)

• On Collaborating with the National Theatre:

  • “Getting to work with the National as a brand, that's one of the absolute highlights of my year.” (00:22:45)

• Balancing Work and Personal Life:

  • “I saw 264 shows, I think, in 2024, and I probably need to resolve to see fewer in 2025.” (00:24:00)

• Acknowledging Support from Aaron:

  • “Aaron has been such a rock and such a comfort throughout all of that.” (00:25:10)

Conclusion

Miki Jo’s 2024 was a year defined by relentless passion, extensive travel, and deep immersion in the world of theatre. From forging significant partnerships and managing high-pressure live events to exploring international theatre scenes and expanding his digital presence, Miki Jo embodies the spirit of a true theatre enthusiast and critic. His reflections not only highlight the triumphs and challenges of a demanding year but also set the stage for an even more dynamic and balanced 2025. As he looks forward to new projects and continued growth, Miki Jo remains committed to nurturing his love for theatre and supporting the vibrant community that fuels his unwavering dedication.

Stay tuned for more insights and reflections as Miki Jo continues to shape the future of theatre criticism and online engagement.