Summary of "The Devil Wears Prada - THE MUSICAL?! | Everything we know about the 2024 West End show" Podcast Episode by MickeyJoTheatre

Podcast Information:

• Title: MickeyJoTheatre
• Host: MickeyJoTheatre (Mickey Jo)
• Episode: The Devil Wears Prada - THE MUSICAL?! | Everything we know about the 2024 West End show
• Release Date: September 15, 2023

Introduction

In this episode, Mickey Jo delves deep into the exciting announcement of a new West End musical adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada set to premiere at the Dominion Theatre in the fall of 2024. The episode explores various facets of the production, from its creative team and casting rumors to the challenges faced during its preliminary runs.

Announcement and Initial Reactions

The episode opens with a reveal from Jerry Mitchell, a legendary Tony Award-winning director and choreographer, announcing the forthcoming musical adaptation:

• Jerry Mitchell [00:00]: "Oh my God. Hey, Jerry Mitchell here. And I'm bringing the Devil Wears Prada to Dominion Theatre in the fall of 2024. So gird your loins."

Mickey Jo expresses a mix of excitement and skepticism upon hearing the news:

• Mickey Jo [00:09]: "There's a lot to discuss about this piece of news. Even though I may have been told that this was coming a few months ago and also its composer, Sir Elton John has been a little loose lipped about it in the press, this is still something of a bombshell announcement."

She shares her dual emotions—seeing potential for a fresh adaptation while being cautious due to the show's previous reception.

Production Team and Scheduling

Mickey Jo highlights the notable figures attached to the project and provides insights into the production schedule:

• Mickey Jo: The musical is produced by Kevin McCollum and Jamie Wilson, known for their successful productions like Doubtless and Sister Act.
• Director Jerry Mitchell brings a rich background in adapting iconic films to the stage, referencing his work on Legally Blonde and Pretty Woman.

Tryout Run in Plymouth

An unusual aspect of this production is its initial tryout run in Plymouth slated for July 2024, well ahead of its West End premiere:

• Mickey Jo: "The Plymouth run is in July. This gives them an awful lot of time to really work on this."

She speculates that this extended period indicates substantial rewrites and refinements, especially considering the poor reception of the Chicago tryout in 2022.

Dominion Theatre Venue

The Dominion Theatre, a grand and spacious venue, will host the musical’s West End debut. Mickey Jo notes the theater's history and its capacity to handle large-scale productions:

• Mickey Jo: "The Dominion Theatre is huge. It's massive... Producer Jamie Wilson doesn't seem to be intimidated by these large theaters."

She also mentions the strategic location at the end of Oxford Street, leveraging the area's association with high fashion for thematic synergy.

Creative Team Insights

Jerry Mitchell emphasized the importance of music in the production, hinting at new compositions by Sir Elton John:

• Jerry Mitchell [Transcript]: "For me, the music is always the most important component."

Mickey Jo interprets this as a sign of potential new songs, diverging from the initial Chicago version’s score.

She also introduces key members of the creative team:

• Costume Designer: Greg Barnes
• Set Designer: Tim Hatley
• Kate Weatherhead: Book writer, known for her role in the original Broadway cast of Legally Blonde

Casting Rumors

One of the episode's most anticipated segments revolves around casting rumors for the principal roles, especially the titular character, Miranda Priestly.

Miranda Priestly

There is a strong rumor that Hannah Waddingham, a celebrated musical theatre icon known for her roles in Into the Woods, The Wizard of Oz, and Ted Lasso, will portray Miranda Priestly:

• Mickey Jo: "The name that everyone has been hearing for this is musical theatre icon Hannah Waddingham, which makes me so unbelievably excited because I think she's one of the greatest performers of all time."

Waddingham's versatility and commanding stage presence make her a fitting choice for the role, bridging grace with authority.

Supporting Roles

Mickey Jo speculates on possible casting for Emily Blunt's character, citing ZZ Strallen as a prime candidate:

• Mickey Jo: "ZZ came to mind for this because... she can be prim and proper, but we've seen her in enough other shows that we know she can also be hilarious, deeply sarcastic."

Leading Lady (Andy)

For Andy, the protagonist, Mickey Jo emphasizes the importance of casting someone who authentically represents the character’s journey against traditional beauty standards:

• Mickey Jo: "She could be a Georgina Onwara. She could be a Grace Moat... there's a huge list of performers who I think you could consider for this role."

She advocates for a more inclusive casting approach, encouraging performers who break the conventional mold.

Revisiting the Chicago Tryout

The episode addresses the controversial Chicago tryout in 2022, which received poor critical reception:

• Mickey Jo: "Rumors had already been circulating online that this production had had a almost full rewrite since the ill fated Chicago tryout."

With a revamped creative team under Jerry Mitchell, there's hope for a significantly improved West End version.

Musical Composition and Direction

Jerry Mitchell’s collaboration with Sir Elton John is a focal point, with hints at a score that resonates more with Elton’s signature style:

• Mickey Jo: "He said that he had been working on it with Elton... he was trying to get Elton John to give it more of an Elton John kind of a sound."

She draws parallels to previous successful musical adaptations and expresses optimism that Mitchell’s direction will inject fun, color, and camp into the production.

Critical Analysis and Outlook

Mickey Jo remains cautiously optimistic despite the past setbacks. She underscores the strengths of the current creative team:

• Mickey Jo: "Greg Barnes is a brilliant costume designer. Tim Hatley a fantastic set designer. Bruno Poet is doing the lighting. There are brilliant names attached to this."

She believes that with the right direction and creative synergy, the musical can overcome its earlier challenges.

Moreover, she touches on the cultural relevance and potential for a nostalgic yet fresh take on the story, emphasizing the timeless appeal of fashion as a theme.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Wrapping up, Mickey Jo expresses her hope that the production will embrace a campy, fun approach while staying true to the story's heart:

• Mickey Jo: "Ultimately, directors can make a really big difference to the trajectory of a show and to how all the material comes together, and I'm hoping that this one little change in ingredients might make the overall recipe of this piece a lot more delicious."

She encourages listeners to stay tuned for updates and share their casting suggestions, fostering an engaged and interactive community.

• Mickey Jo: "For updates about this as we approach the opening of this production and its Plymouth tryout, make sure you're subscribed to my channel."

Notable Quotes

• Jerry Mitchell [00:00]: "Oh my God. Hey, Jerry Mitchell here. And I'm bringing the Devil Wears Prada to Dominion Theatre in the fall of 2024. So gird your loins."

• Mickey Jo [00:09]: "There's a lot to discuss about this piece of news... this is still something of a bombshell announcement."

• Mickey Jo on Mitchell's Vision: "If I'm already convinced that Jerry Mitchell was the right kind of a director for this project, then this really did the job of selling me."

• Mickey Jo on Casting Hope: "I desperately hope that these rumors are true."

• Mickey Jo on Inclusivity: "I think this would be a great opportunity for a lot of the performers who aren't traditionally seen for these leading lady castings."

Final Remarks

Mickey Jo offers a comprehensive and passionate exploration of the upcoming The Devil Wears Prada musical, balancing enthusiasm with critical insight. She underscores the potential for a successful adaptation given the talented team's involvement and shares thoughtful considerations on casting and production elements. Her engagement with the audience, through inviting feedback and fostering community interaction, cements her role as a leading voice in theatre criticism.

For more updates and detailed reviews, listeners are encouraged to subscribe to the MickeyJoTheatre YouTube channel.