'Romy & Michele: The Musical' Off-Broadway review — stage adaptation of '90s film shows friendship never goes out of style
Read our review of Romy & Michele: The Musical off Broadway, a new stage adaptation of the cult classic 1997 film Romy and Michele's High School Reunion.
Summary
- Romy & Michele: The Musical is adapted from the film about two best friends who try to impress their former classmates at their 10-year high school reunion
- The characters and plot of Robin Schiff's screenplay remain largely intact; Schiff also wrote the musical's script
- Audiences praised the show's nostalgia; high energy; and performances
- The show is recommended for fans of Romy and Michele's High School Reunion and other cult classic movies-turned-musicals like Heathers and Legally Blonde
For anyone into stories about the formidable force of friendship, Romy & Michele: The Musical, now at Stage 42, hits that sweet spot. As it should. After all, it’s the point of this tale about a delightfully ditzy duo made famous in 1997's Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, a fluffy comedy that now enjoys cult-film status.
So, as the film turns 28 — the same age as Los Angeles BFFs Romy White (Laura Bell Bundy) and Michele Weinberger (Kara Lindsay) — the show lands off Broadway with a built-in fanbase. It also, alas, arrives with issues. While occasionally diverting, the musical feels like a longer, paler copy of the film. Even with lively choreography by Karla Puno Garcia, the brand expansion emerges a bit flat-footed.
Book writer Robin Schiff retraces her screenplay for the stage version, save for a few tweaks. Signature lines (“I was so lucky getting mono. That was like the best diet ever.”), sight gags (a hazardous pony tail), and flashbacks and dream sequences are all intact. Romy and Michele's former Tucson classmates — including hard-edged Heather (Jordan Kai Burnett), queen bee Christie (Lauren Zakrin), and a reimagined version of eager-to-please Toby (Je’Shaun Jackson) — are also along for the ride.
More troublesome than the rehashed story, even if you’ve never seen the movie, is the so-so score by composer/lyricists Gwendolyn Sanford and Brandon Jay (Weeds, Orange Is the New Black). The movie is packed with era-perfect pop hits, but in place of bangers by Cyndi Lauper, Robert Palmer, and Bananarama, the musical serves a steady stream of generic tunes that state the obvious (“The Coolest Person I Know”) or pound a funny bit into the ground (“Businesswoman’s Special”). In a show where Post-it Notes are essential to the plot, the songs just don’t stick.
Uncanny screen chemistry between Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow is a main reason the movie clicks. As directed by Kristin Hanggi (Rock of Ages), the musical’s stars don’t stray far from their film templates. Bundy (Legally Blonde, Hairspray) leans hard into a Valley Girl accent, while Lindsay (Newsies), delivers lines in deft clueless fashion. They bring likable BFF energy to this buddy comedy, and while they won’t make anyone forget the onscreen duo, they give it their all — just like Romy and Michele.
Romy & Michele: The Musical summary
Two quirky best friends, feeling inadequate before their 10-year reunion, pretend they invented Post-it Notes to impress their former classmates. When the lie unravels, they embrace their true selves, renew their friendship, and learn that authenticity beats popularity.
Inspired by screenwriter Robin Schiff's 1997 film Romy & Michele's High School Reunion — itself featuring the characters of Romy and Michele first seen in her 1988 play Ladies Room — the show’s Off-Broadway premiere follows a 2017 Seattle production.
What to expect at Romy & Michele: The Musical
Romy and Michele have a true passion for fashion. When they finally embrace their true selves, they trade basic black suits for bold pink and blue outfits that dazzle their classmates, symbolize their newfound confidence, and pave their way to success. From start to finish, the musical celebrates style with a riot of ’80s and ’90s looks by costume designer Tina McCartney.
What audiences are saying about Romy & Michele: The Musical
On the online review aggregator Show-Score, Romy & Michele: The Musical has a rating of 58% as of publication. Theatregoers delivered mixed reviews but praised the atmosphere, design elements, and the cast.
- “Kara and Laura Bell are incredible and the whole cast is having a blast.” - Show-Score user Mr Moustache
- “The perfect girls night out. Grab a pregame cocktail and escape inside one of the best slumber party movies of all time. Reminisce about your own high school reunion, and admire the Post-it surprise at the end.” - Show-Score under Sardis Table7
- “The cast is game and [the] set is fine. However it drags.” - Show-Score user Chris
- “The production value was incredible–from the vibrant costumes and creative set to the phenomenal use of LED screens that brought the world of the show to life in such a clever, high energy way.” - Show-Score user Lily
Read more audience reviews of Romy & Michele: The Musical on Show-Score.
Who should see Romy & Michele: The Musical
- Fans of other cult classic movies-turned-musicals like Heathers (also currently off Broadway) and Legally Blonde (which Bundy also starred in) will be drawn to Romy & Michele.
- Nostalgia lovers who can’t get enough of the ’80s and ’90s can get their fill at Stage 42.
- Anyone who relates to loyal, slightly chaotic friendships that are both funny and heartfelt will be pulled into Romy and Michele’s world.
Learn more about Romy & Michele: The Musical off Broadway
While one wishes for a more flavorful score and fresher point of view — or, as Romy and Michele sing, “a look they’ve never seen” — the story’s feel-good message about true friendship still comes through.
Photo credit: Romy & Michele: The Musical off Broadway. (Photos by Valerie Terranova)
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