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The lack of tweets since you saw the show made me worry it had killed you

I think I'd like the idea of a 'bad Cinderella' if the main story actually began after the ball. we know the classic story, we don't really need it explained again, so instead: Cinderella goes to the ball, has a nice time, but finds it very underwhelming. she realises she doesn't like the rich, shallow, snobby people around her. and after she gets home she realises that nothing's really changed, her life didn't get better and one good night out wasn't enough to make up for it. and THAT'S when she starts questioning the town and its culture and decides to become a rebel. we could still have the romance with the prince and other classic elements, but I'm ready for a story that goes beyond the bounds of the fairytale.

The problem that will always plague this Cinderella is that they clearly want to tell a ‘feminist narrative’ but they have no idea what message it is they want to say.

i'm sure everyone's mentioned this to death, and you touched on it here, but the fact that all of the women HATE each other in this show destroys any semblance of empowerment it was going for. portraying women as catty, shallow a**holes who hate each other and only seem to care about looks isn't empowering, it's just bad writing. this show is what would happen if you just set the "not like other girls" phenomenon to music and called it a day

no cause in the opening night promo they really said "if you miss phantom - there's a new baddie in town" like the AUDACITY

I think the “beheading idea” would be funny. Maybe if they workshopped Cinderella to be like a protester. I made a video that went up today about workshopping the show and I wished they made her a rebel with a cause vs a nuisance. Loved your take and enjoy New York. ⭐️✨

Is it a fatal flaw for a show that the titular character doesn't have an "I want" or clear motivation?

The opening line of the NYT review is literally just “First: bring earplugs.” Seeing it as a late birthday present. Couldn’t be more excited for the disaster. *EDIT* I… oh my lord. I saw it this past weekend. That is a lot of extremely talented people working very hard with material that does them zero favors.

How does he make the time to film reviews so fast while on holiday abroad!? Legend

I have a ton of friends in the show (including the incomparable Grace McLean) and I get so giddy that even the tougher reviews give them their due and speak glowingly about their work! They really are working hard and the folks I know just also happen to be wonderful people. 🤓✌🏾

It could have been so cool if they had costumed it the way they did their real housewives promo, very LA, and then made Cinderella really weird looking. Or done something similar to the Hunger Games with the capital residents, and made Cinderella normal-looking. From The photos, they don’t seem to “other” her enough through her looks to match what the lyrics are telling us about their society

New Yorker here. I saw Bad Cinderella last week, going in with low expectations and only the knowledge gained from watching your videos tbh. I got great seats in Row C in the orchestra for cheap, and on my two occasions visiting the Imperial Box office that day in my indecisiveness, I saw Andrew Lloyd Webber coming and going from rehearsal. It was insane. I snapped an unflattering pic of him. So My experience, I feel, was helped by my good fortune. You hit some nails on the head. The standouts of the show are Carolee Carmella and Grace McLean. I could watch their schtick for 2.5 hours and be happy. And yes, the Charming Wedding scene was "everything" as the kids say. Also thoroughly enjoy the Man's Man song. Where I differ is that I think Linedy and Jordan as our romantic leads are utterly boring and their characters, as they are, add very little to the overall story. I did not care enough about either of them. I also found both to not be vocally up to the task of their roles. Maybe it was an off night I saw, but both performers struggled at the top of their registers. And they had zero chemistry, imho. I also liked I Know You, even though I very much agree with it being way too ambiguous and having zero payoff. Having read many many pages of a popular Broadway message board, I think many people felt similarly to me on the things listed above. Overall I had an enjoyable time. It's a far from perfect show that I don't think will last long in New York (maybe a year.) There are also some real earworms that I cannot stop listening to on the London album. Unrelated note, the night after I saw this, I was in Brooklyn seeing The Jungle at St. Ann's Warehouse, and as we were exiting, I randomly overheard two people talking about Bad Cinderella and name dropping you as the pre-eminent source of news on the piece. I was shook. But I shouldn't have been. You've truly made it. I also have been low key praying I run into you at a show, as I am at one most nights, but alas lol

This is SO satisfying to have it come full circle like this. As the only Bad Cinderella historian, your opinion is the only one I wanted to hear about this new iteration.

“He doesn’t have the big dick energy that Belleville requires in its monarchy” need this sentence tattooed across my forehead ASAP

My boyfriend from the other room recognising your voice “what’s Mickey Jo reviewing now?” Me: “Bad Cinderella. There’s a whole history.” Him: “why, what happened?” Me: “WELL….*10 minutes later*…”and what you need to know is that ALW then got someone else to say HIS statement which said about it being a costly mistake and everyone gasped and it was so offensive and disrespectful to the hard work the staff put into his sh*t show.” Him: “so is Bad Cinderella, bad?” Me: “I DON’T KNOW YET BUT SOMEONE COMMENTED THEY WORRIED THE SHOW HAD KILLED HIM SO IT’S NOT LOOKING GOOD SAM.”

The flip of the hat had me snort laugh so hard. 😂

With what you said about the critics reviewing based on previews -- I remember seeing an interview with Toby Marlow where he was talking about how, with the timing of the Covid shutdown just before the opening night of Six, it meant that pretty much all the reviews had already been written, but couldn't be published because the show didn't officially open, so he had like a year and a half of not knowing what they said.

When you played the clip of the cast singing happy birthday, I had had a bit too much wine, and inadvertently shouted, "BOO, VILLAIN," by myself, at the screen. 😅

I’m so happy that they invited you to the show! I love the way that you dissect shows and give honest reviews. You’re a wonderful modern reviewer. Congrats!!😊

I saw Bad Cinderella last week and leaving the theatre, the main word I used to describe my thoughts was “confused.” I felt like storylines were added without completion, I was so confused about the Queen’s seemingly incestual obsession with her son (confused about why no one else was talking about that), and it wasn’t until watching this video that I finally understand the I Know You song. I saw a tiktok the other day that said the stepmother was implying that the queen was previously a prostitute and I didn’t get that at all, I *definitely* didn’t catch that the queen recognized the stepmother the same way. Honestly, I thought they were ex-college roommates who has a falling out and so that’s why they knew the intimate details of each other’s personal lives. Like I could imagine them as sorority sisters who were saying “I know what you did at Caramel Apple Pi’s frat party, you’ve said for years you didn’t, you told everyone it was me, but I saw it happen”

Following along on this wild journey has genuinely made me a better fiction writer, because WOW is this a case study in ways to mess up a very basic story. Considering how hard ALW has been campaigning for this thing, I wonder if we'll get a pro shot version too, if only so that it might have a longer afterlife than what it gets on Broadway. I'm broke and waaaay across the country so seeing it is not going to be possible for me (at least not in a legal fashion rn) but I kind of hope we get it recorded for posterity.

The What's On Stage review said ALW hasn't done himself any favours by borrowing the major musical throughline from R&H's Cinderella - I completely agree, it's the main tune I remember but it's so clearly the same as "in my own little corner". I think it's fun to reference R&H's version, but as their Cinderella is totally different it would've made much more sense to have created his own Cinderella theme and have a nod to theirs somewhere in the score.

I've been obsessed with this entire journey every since I saw the show at the Gillian Lynne Theatre on opening week, and shortly after when I found your channel, and I just wanna say it's been a pleasure seeing you wade back into the waters every time throughout the developments. What a wild ride we've had.

100% agree with your opinions about “bad” Cinderella’s character. I felt all the other characters were okay but Cinderella herself was a massive plot hole. In terms of entertainment I thought it was a fun show but definitely the story was massively flawed. It’s really interesting that you say West End Cinderella was much more “Bad” than the Broadway Cinderella. Definitely would have loved that concept to have been fleshed out more

Omg coming from the KZfaq premiere to comment you deserve a MEDAL for doing this for us - thank you for suffering through

Saw it last week and…. nearly all of your talking points were things I’ve discussed with anyone who said “omg how was it??” SPOT on assessments… Nearly every song felt too long. Then an immediate reprise 🙄 I’m not familiar with West End and DID NOT understand that Step Mother and the Queen met in a brothel back in the day- I thought they just went to school together. The potato sack vandalism was dumb, and after everyone singing about how much they hate her, they’re propping her up in these cool empowering TikTok dance numbers that make zero sense- honestly agree with about 98% of what you said. The costumes though… ugh…. The opening costumes, while they might be more colorful than West End, I was in the fourth row of the Orchestra and the patterns were VERY tacky and looked cheap. I hope it translated better from farther back because up close- no. Can’t wait to see your other NYC reviews!! You’ve earned a like and subscribe from me!!

We saw it a few weeks ago and can’t wait to see if our review hits the same. It didn’t land on our radar until a few months back and chose to go in blind. Can’t wait for this! Really just here for the SpongeBob costume commentary updates!

Been following this show since 2020, so video being posted feels like the climax of a story! Thank you so much for feeding the fire of my raging hyper fixation.

But was the Glass Ass still there?

"What's a knob?!" is the reaction 99% of folks in the US will have when they hear the line. That was my reaction and while I could guess the meaning I don't recall ever hearing it before. Certainly it is not an insult and doesn't carry weight in the US. You can put me in the group who will never see Bad Cinderella. The only value I've found in it's existence is that it gives you something to review with passion, humor, insight, and a sprinkle of snark. Enjoy the rest of your stay in NYC and if at all possible to to "Hadestown."

The way I'd fix the story a bit: towns people mention god mother in the first song and she makes an appearance. Infact the whole first number is basically about how much they love her and how she makes the beauty standard. Make the towns people literally look identical. Turn the step mother into a step father who knows the queen as he used to go to the 'strip club'. Focus more in the first act on Cinderella and how different she is. The second scene in the village when they announce the ball, Cinderella does something else bad to show she is a rebel and that's why the step 'father' bans her from going. Mention of Cinderella missing her mother more as she too was a rebel because they were from different towns. In the second act have the just make it simple and keep it as Sebastian has til midnight to find a bride' and that's it. Also maybe in the first act Cinderella could joke about wearing glass shoes and that's why he doesn't believe it's her or something. In the wedding scene have Cinderella think she's run out of time and gate crash it and cause havoc as she thinks it's Sebastian's wedding. When they meet at the wedding her and him have to run and escape while the towns people chase after them. Have the ending with them both escaped from the village. The end.

the moment we all have been waiting for

It’s 1am in Germany and I was trying to fall asleep, and then I got a notification that this was happening…. Guess I’ll sleep when I’m dead 😂

It's hilarious and jarring every time a reviewer mentions that the perfect fairytale musical town is called "Belleville" because Belleville is a random mediocre small town in my region

Amazing review. With all the reviews starting to come out tonight, I fear for how they will treat the lead. Thank you for not bashing any of the cast.

A brothel? That's what the queen and step mother are singing about it. I saw it in the WE and I totally didn't get that! Pah! So pleased to see this video!!! No laughing at knobs! 😂

What a great opportunity and addition to the saga of videos you've made for this show!! So proud you got to follow it to BROADWAY!! I hope you're loving NYC!

"tHaT's wHaT iT wAs giViNg" 13:04 made me screaaam. Amazing video as always!

Saw this the same night as you! (Also I know that the house, at least in the mezz around me, was LARGELY papered with college theater students which I think contributed to the reaction specifically to the Prince Charming stuff. Girls behind me literally shrieked 😂) ANYWAY. I totally agree with all your thoughts. I have some other critical thoughts BUT on the song front - a huge problem with the songs aside from the lyrics is that not only is every song too long but every song gives you its thesis like five lines in. And then there’s just nowhere to go from there for the actors and from a storytelling perspective. It’s such a strange choice. Like with I Know I Have a Heart the line “I know I have a heart because you broke it” comes in SO EARLY when I feel like it should be the revelation of the song - her feeling all her feelings and then finally being able to put a name to it or piece it together into that thesis. And then the song goes on for four more minutes. 😂 And pretty much all of the ballads fell into the same trap. So strange. Anyway! So glad to hear your thoughts on this version, I’ve been following along with your reviews of this show since the beginning!

When I first heard the title "Bad Cinderella", I guessed it would be a Cinderella revenge narrative. Story plays out in the typical way for act 1, then with her new monarchy power, Cinderella tries to take down those who wronged her -- but does she go too far? Ultimately it seems like they were just going for "Modern Cinderella"? But not quite that either.

Really appreciate your well thought out and well-spoken reviews. None of the "bitchy critic trying to be clever" aspect of so many reviews. So excited for you that you've been able to visit New York and experience Broadway. Keep up the good work!

This is my most anticipated video ever. I RAN when I saw the notification. It is 2 am, I do not care. SO excited

As soon as I saw your face, I thought to myself 'that is a broken man'

I'm from the USA. I don't live in New York but have taken Broadway-based trips there. I have seen Lloyd Webber's Big 4: Cats, Evita, Phantom, and Sunset Blvd., all of them several times. I even directed and choreographed a youth musical theatre production of "Cats" to local acclaim in 2011. The only reason I have any interest in "Bad Cinderella" is because of Mickey Jo's coverage in the UK and now his review of the Broadway production. His reviews are so detailed, fair, insightful, and knowledgeable that I wish Lloyd-Webber had hired him as a consultant for the New York production. As an American, I think I would have laughed at the "you knob" line but would the word "dork" have fit in. That is known by just about every American regardless of generation. Not sure of the rhyme scheme situation tho.

OMG Hey! It's the review we have been waiting for!

The editing at the start followed by the cut to you in the bucket hat made me CACKLE. As did the second hat reveal. 😅 I also particularly enjoyed your pained expression while discussing the changes to the statue… Thanks for yet another fascinating look at the evolution of this musical.

The unofficial BC historian gives his verdict.. can't wait!

Oh my god that bucket hat is everything! I’ve been waiting for this review and it did not disappoint.

The hype is unparalleled

These Cinders videos never get old. Literally love every single one you put out 😂 it’s like a THING now.

I am about to go to bed but you BET this will be the first thing I check when I wake up tomorrow 😅

The hero we didn’t know we needed

I saw Jordan Dobson as Orpheus in Hadestown in 2021 and he was INCREDIBLE! I've seen Bad Cinderella here twice now (gotta love being cheap rush tickets) and it really feels like they tried to write it for The Gays TM. Like, it's SO camp without having any substance underneath? I already had mixed feeling on Andy L Dubs but this show proved no one wants to tell him no

this review is the Endgame of the Bad Cinderella-verse 😂

Okay...so just for shits and giggles...here are some of the review taglines that made me laugh: Washington Post: "...gets the title it deserves" New York Post: "A wacko storybook dumpster fire on Broadway" New York Times: "The Title Warned Us" Vulture: "If Only Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Bad Cinderella Were Worse" Entertainment Weekly: "Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical is bibbidi-bobbidi-basic" Variety: "Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Muddled, Sexed-Up, Broadway Spin on the Fairy Tale Is True to Its Name" AMNY: "If not necessarily bad, ‘Bad Cinderella’ is kind of eh…." The Wrap: "Frankly, She’s Also a Real Brat" (Andrew Lloyd Webber Struggles with the Disney Format) Observer: "Bad Cinderella’s Glass Slipper? More Like a Moldy Croc" (...it’s TikTok meets grandfather clock) Theater Mania: "Does Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Bad Cinderella Live Up to Its Name? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. But one thing’s for certain: It’s horny AF." Chicago Tribune: "Bad Cinderella on Broadway pointlessly blows up a fairy tale" There are some great one-liners here! "Dumpster Fire" and "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Basic" are classic! Not to mention "It's horny AF" LOL And oddly enough, he didn't show up to opening!!! Hmmmm Says a lot.

I’ve followed your reviews for several years now - Cinderella is one of the best series you’ve done! Thanks for providing some valuable insight into the true honesty, sadness, and creation that has gone into this show! Can’t wait to see what you review next:)

The bucket hat reversal to get down to business.... excellent. Here you go🏆

People have said that it's still a pity that they still left out the potential of their being something vaguely magical/supernatural about The Godmother, as the trope of the main character receiving some form of 'supernatural aid' is usually crucial to making something a 'Cinderella' story, and it's not always necessarily a 'fairy'. In Brother's Grimm's Cinderella and Into The Woods, it's the spirit of Cinderella's dead mother, who is called upon to aid her daughter in some form of necromantic spell or ritual, to give Cinderella a dress for each of the 3 night's of the king's festival.

I saw it a few weeks ago and pretty much agree with the issues you’ve identified. Once “I Know You” started I had a moment when I realized…oh this musical isn’t for me. It may want to be for a younger audience (I’m not even really young 😅) but it’s just not. The “feminism” and the jokes and the “camp” all read as dated, like my aunt would think “how fun and sassy!” That sort of thing. Thanks for going through everything so thoughtfully. I was dying to know all the changes from the West End, and your insights in general are always very satisfying.

I saw this on Broadway. I wonder if some of the “peppy” tone or the stepmother being kind is down to UK/US differences. In the preview I saw I took Cinderella as more rudely feisty than peppy, and the stepmother as paying to get rid of C versus kindness. Otherwise, I am stunned to hear there were portions that were improved - because I thought what I saw was rock bottom.

Your content gives me life & much insight to the West End vs. B’way. Very happy for your maiden soujourn to NYC & hope I’ll make the same trip to the West End eventually!

I feel like I’m witnessing history 😂

I have been WAITING with baited breath for this review!❤❤❤

"it's giving drag race design challenge" that paints a picture, yes it does

Reading NY critic reviews, and overall they seem to share the same sentiments that you and others have been talking about for years. I’m surprised that they didn’t make further adjustments to the script and lyrics. I know ALW’s son is sick, so that most likely impacted his participation in those types of conversations, but I think they should’ve waited til next season, give it more time to work out the issues with the script and all that (maybe find a better director). I’ve seen some critics really pointing out how the show felt like old people trying to be hip with the youths and I think that’s the most damming criticism it can have in terms of commercial appeal.

I'm so excited to hear your opinion on the Observer's "mold croc" review lol

Congratulations to the real winner here, Mr. Hot Buns

I feel like bad cinderella would've been a much better show if it focused on cinderella being less mature and more active than in the original. She acts out and blames her actions on her situation before realising at the end that she's in her late teens and has enough agency to change her life for the better. She let's go of her resentment for her step family and moves on, leaving home and starting her new life having learned that she is responsible for her actions and looking after her self. The prince helps her on this journey showing her the bigger picture, ( his imput making her see that she can't just sit and do chores and get more angry her whole life, she needs to think for herself) and they start dating at the end etc. Etc. It seems like a good way of making her "bad" but it's less about the kingdom being bad and more about her learning that the way she is coping with her situation is (while understandable) unhealthy.

The delivery of this 'ohmygod hey' had me laughing through the first solid minute.

Thank you so much for this! I’ve been dying to know what has changed in the show. Enjoy the rest of your time in New York 😊

A little obsessed with the reversible bucket hat.

The video we have all been waiting for!

Hope you’re enjoying your time stateside! I’m heading to your side of the world this fall. hopefully I’ll get to take in some theater there.

Love the hat son & an excellent review as ever. Keep up the energy 🍩

Love your review, as I expected! I agree so much with many of your points, especially with Cinderella’s lack of a defined personality. The biggest issue, imo, is everything we are told about this character is via exposition, with little to nothing be “told” about her by her own actions. Why is she bad? What makes her a rebel? I still don’t know. Also, while I’m sure Jordan is great, I saw his understudy (Julio) for Sebastian and he was INCREDIBLE (and honestly looks a bit like you/has similar vibes to you) and I hope he gets to be a lead in something in the future!

Canadian here and understand "knob"

I literally just saw this show tonight so I can finally know what you’re talking about!! I am a very harsh critic when it comes to Broadway but this show pleasantly surprised me. What you pointed out as things that needed improvements were things I really liked, for example the fact that she never verbally admits her love for Sebastian. I think the reason for that is because she hasn’t even admitted it to herself. I also think that long song sequence Cinderella has during act 2 works very well. One minute she’s crying because her heart is broken but when she immediately starts singing the reprise, it’s kind of like she’s “snapping out of it” in a way.. like I’m bad Cinderella why the hell am I here crying over a boy when I’m a whole baddie. I loved that!! Overall- it’s a 7/10. The writing needs a lot of work but I loved everything else especially the lighting design, direction, and choreography. Now having seen the show, I definitely think it deserves more recognition, but it’s reputation persigues it. Linedy Genao was amazing, as I knew she would be. Us Dominicans are usually very talented people ;)

the hat is giving me life haha :)

When you mentioned how no one laughed at the knob part, I think it's partly because of cultural differences. That's the simpliest way I can put it. Some jokes or stuf people say here can confuse people from other countries and vise versa. There have been a lot of times I've seen a movie from London and there will be things that I wouldn't get. But how I can is by looking at the context of what's happening and that seems to help me understand. But that's only with certian phrases, others I still wouldn't get unless it's explained or I relate it to a saying here

The way I cackled when it was time to get serious!

Saw BC last week. I have been following this saga only because of your channel. And let me tell you, you nailed it! Every single thing you talk about was spot on. I personally found the show obnoxious on soo many levels of which i was not expecting. 😅

Watching Cinderella in 1.5x speed genuinely fixes it … try it on KZfaq trust me The songs aren’t too long -they’re too slow. Andrew slows down his playing with age - his musicals slow down…. It just needs some youth!

I got to see it in previews with my daughter. Uneven but fun overall. Our biggest criticism, though, was that the fairy godmother was set up as a sinister character (a fun "flip the script" idea), but the rest of the show did *nothing* with that. Huge missed opportunity, and why even bother?

You are my favorite Cinderellologist.

It sounds like it's a step up from the original version but not enough which is what I was afraid of. I feel with a bit more workshopping it could have really got there but they rushed this thing so fast to Broadway it didn't have time to cook with it's new spices.

I love that hat! Thanks for the new review and for detailing the changes to the Broadway show.

I agree with most of what you say. I did like the show in a campy way (kindla like how I enjoyed Diana) and the performances were brilliant. The "knob" line did work in some previews (the one I went to had the laugh) Still needs work, but it's not too bad

I love how NEW YORK you look in that outfit. It was like London, London, London in the past..switch to New York cool outfit smooooth! LOVE it!

Thank you so much for your support of Broadway Cares! 🙂

Hi, I accidentally found your channel, and I watch all videos non-stop. I live in New York and love theater and musicals. It's exciting to listen to comparing the UK and New York. I hope one day I will visit London and musicals as well. I saw Bad Cinderella before closing. I knew that it had terrible reviews, but to be honest, I liked it. First of all, I like music. And when I left the show, I had the feeling of a fairy tale. It's entertaining. And what people need to have a good time. I don't agree with the reviews. It was not such bad as they said. The orchestra and music are fantastic 🎉

Bucket hat? It's "Bouquet." No, it's Bouquet!!!!

Admire the dedication to being the ALW Cinderella historian!

Saw it this past Tuesday with the Cinderella alternate and actually enjoyed the show more than I thought. We loved Jason Dobson and I think that's my overall feeling about the show, it has some great musical numbers and some great performances, but I feel like the book is problematic. No matter what, I will never like the Man's Man number and it's just so bizarre that his mother is part of this number. It could be assigned to a secretary of state or any other member of the court but it just seems way too bizarre as is currently stands. That said...and I could probably go deeper...you are always gracious and on point and I wish New York critics were as intelligent as you.

love that jacket you're wearing, sir! also love your honesty and your dedication to the bad cinderella beat ;)

They cut Unbreakable? That and Far Too Late are the ones that I found immediately compelling . I kind of get it though because it doesn't scream "Broadway musical" to me so much as "movie musical" because it feels smaller and not very sing-to-the-back-of-the-theatre if that makes sense. It is funny to me though that "Far Too Late" (while my favourite song in it) says "Far too late to sing a love song" when she already HAD a love song (I Know I Have a Heart) and a love dirge (Unbreakable) in the west end version.

There are now two Cinderella's in the last few years that claim to be the FEMINIST ONE. All trying to act like Ella Enchanted didn't already do it perfectly.

I liked the original bunz and roses vs beauty is our duty. I saw the broadway previews and sounds like they added the line with the fairy godmother. I'm glad they did. her character is random but they didn't have that line. Sounds like they may have made the statue reveal and story more clear too

Excellent work as always

OMG I've been waiting for this vid, hope you're having the best time away btw