‘Schmigadoon!’ Heads to Kennedy Center for Live Adaptation

For a certain sector of TV watchers, “Schmigadoon!” was a glorious gift from heaven, an homage to and sly sendup of musicals from Broadway’s golden age in Season 1 and musicals from the darker and seedier ’70s and ’80s in Season 2. Then, Apple TV+ canceled the comedy, and TV got a little less weird and fun.

Now comes word that the musical — which starred Keegan Michael-Key and Cecily Strong as a couple who, first accidentally and then intentionally, land in a world where everyone lives up to the standards of musical theater convention — will make its live-action debut at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in January 2025, directed and choreographed by the series’ choreographer, Christopher Gattelli with a book, music, and lyrics by series creator Cinco Paul.

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In a review of Season 1, IndieWire’s Kristen Lopez wrote, “’Schmigadoon’ is a gamble, but it’s one I hope pays off. If this was a one-season wonder that’s fine, as the actors and story work perfectly in a bubble. However, if it chooses to go forward, it would work to the show’s advantage to lean on its Broadway cast more and not be afraid to find the humor in darker topics. Either way, I’m off to sing ‘Corn Pudding’ one more time!”

No word yet on whether the stage musical will focus exclusively on a single season or serve as a combination of both (we’re hoping the latter), but this is great news for “Schmigadoon!” fans. Gattelli (who choreographed “Wonka” and earned Emmy nominations for his work on “Schmigadoon!”) is currently directing and choreographing the Chicago production of “Death Becomes Her.” Speaking to IndieWire last year about staging the adaptation of “Death Becomes Her,” he said, “We’ll see what sticks to the wall, but we’re building, I think, a really fun playground. And the score is amazing. What everyone loves about the movie is there, but with some really fun spins of our own to make it our own kind of beast.”

“Schmigadoon!” will run at the Kennedy Center from January 31 to February 9, 2025. Casting has not yet been announced.

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