Musical comedy 'The King’s Critique' to open off Broadway

The new musical, which has music and lyrics by Nat Zegree, and book and lyrics by Eric Holmes, follows the fearless Josephine as she stands against the decree of King Benjamin that women are forbidden from performing on stage.

Summary

• The King’s Critique will open off Broadway this fall
• Jordan Fisher is signed on as producer
• The show follows the fearless Josephine as she attempts to take down the king
• Taylor Iman Jones and Justin Collette star

New musical comedy The King’s Critique will open off Broadway at The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center this fall. Performances begin on November 3.

The new musical, which has music and lyrics by Nat Zegree, and book and lyrics by Eric Holmes, follows the fearless Josephine as she stands against the decree of King Benjamin that women are forbidden from performing on stage. Joining forces with tenor Sebastian, she hatches a plan to take down the king.

Directed by Catie Davis (Beetlejuice, Moulin Rouge! The Musical), with Jordan Fisher as producer, the show's cast includes Taylor Iman Jones (Head Over Heels, Six, Elephant Shoes), Justin Collette (Beetlejuice, School of Rock – The Musical), Donna Lynne Champlin (Sweeney Todd, Billy Elliot the Musical, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), Matthew Patrick Quinn (Hadestown), Gabi Carrubba (Just In Time, Dear Evan Hansen), Gilbert L. Bailey II (The Book of Mormon), Bridget Beirne (That Time of the Year), Nick Cearley (The Skivvies), Christian Fary (The Office! A Musical Parody), Timothy Matthew Flores (Here Lies Love), Amy Jo Jackson (Titus Andronicus), Geena Quintos (Here Lies Love), and Justin Sudderth (Mamma Mia!).

The company understudies are Kyrie Courter (Sweeney Todd) and Ryan Everett Wood (Beauty And The Beast).

The creative team also includes Nancy Renee Braun (choreographer), Paul Tate dePoo III (scenic design), Emily Rebholz (costume design), Cory Pattak (lighting design), Jessica Paz (sound design), Lorenzo Pisoni (movement direction), Nat Zegree & Ian Chan (orchestrations), and Nat Zegree (music direction).

Zegree and Holmes began writing The King’s Critique as students, and their most recent musical, Fly More Than You Fall, opened at London’s Southwark Playhouse in 2024.

A 2025 concept album of five songs from The King’s Critique is available on streaming platforms.

Producer Meg Fofonoff said, “This show is a fresh and exciting new musical. Laughter, love and light surround you as you listen to these tunes that you can't get out of your head! You can immerse yourself in romance, go on a journey through a realm that enlightens you and feel like a fabulous heroine has shown you the way. It is a story of yesterday, today and tomorrow.”

Fisher said, “I'm absolutely thrilled to help bring this incredible NEW musical to life. Getting to pay homage to all the theatre greats who shaped the space we work in is an utter joy. This show leaves you no choice but to have fun, laugh (a lot) and hum the tunes for weeks after. We can't wait for you all to join this party!"

Zegree said, “Creating this show with this ridiculously fun team has been joy incarnate. Creating original music and stories that simply bring laughter and happiness is all I could ever ask for, and that’s what we hope to accomplish. It’s exactly what I love most about musical theater comedy – just a couple hours of pure joy, silliness, and hopefully some new music that you’ll be singing and take with you on your way home!”

Eric Holmes added, “We just wanted to make each other laugh. That silly laughter then expanded to our fearless producers, our brilliant creative team, and eventually entire rooms full of people. We still don't know exactly how that happened – I have a feeling Nat's ridiculously infectious melodies had something to do with it, but don't tell him that. What do you mean we're on the record? Seriously? Fine. It's been the most joyful, fulfilling, and genuinely euphoric creative process we've ever experienced, and we can't wait to share it with audiences.”

Check back for The King’s Critique tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: The King's Critique artwork. (Courtesy of production)