Romy and Michele

I saw Romy and Michele at Stage 42 on November 28, 2025, and I left extremely disappointed. I went in wanting to like it. I love the original movie and I am always open to stage adaptations that find a new angle or emotional depth. This one did not.

The biggest issue was how lazy it felt. Large chunks of dialogue were lifted verbatim from the film with no theatrical justification. The projections looked AI generated and cheap. One of the worst moments involved a video generated wardrobe where an actor mimed flipping through clothes while the images moved on a screen. It was awkward, unconvincing, and honestly embarrassing to watch. The songs did nothing to elevate the material. A few weeks later, I cannot remember a single one.

There were a handful of funny moments, but most of the humor leaned on low effort gay jokes and jock stereotypes that felt dated and shallow. It never found a fresh voice or a point of view that justified its existence onstage. My ticket cost under five dollars, and even at that price, I felt let down. The show closed early, and based on what I saw, I understand why. This one missed the mark almost entirely, and I walked out sad rather than entertained.