The Devil Wears Prada: A New Musical Reviews

Denese Barrera from Chicago, Illinois

COULD OF BEEN GREAT! BUT 🥹

First; what I loved; Nigel! Amazing singer and a beautiful voice! Great actor. You just felt him. So naturally talented! Loved his look, and he made the songs his own.I loved the dance number he was in, in the beginning! And the back up dancers and singers were amazing! Dance choreo and costuming was exciting! Loved the tall blond with the long legs, she should have been in it throughout the músical. I know she was but in a different costume, The set changes were incredible! The Eiffel Tower was outstanding! Loved all the back up dancers and singers. Costuming for them was eye catching. But dance choreo after the begging was only ok. Barely spins, leg kicks, how about some snoody pirouettes? Emily was perfect in her role, vocals, expression, acting, hair, makeup, costuming, all, spot on!!! Loved her!!!! Andy vocals-great, acting-great. Loved her soulful voice. A few songs brought you in but sad to say, the other songs she was given, where “yawn” 😒 I didn’t know she could dance till later in the show. She should have danced more early on! Who ever dressed her should be fired, or made to wear what she wore, and see how they would have felt. I’ve been an extra 8 or more times in Chicago and my clothing was way more exciting! The first outfit with the thigh high boots was cool! But after that, she looked like she was 40 and going to church. “Lord, let us pray, lol”. The dance part when they put the black hat and jacket on her, why black? Um black absorbs light, how about vibrant color like the dancers??? Perhaps go to some Chicago Drag Clubs, Untitled, etc… to watch their shows for ideas? Her boyfriend had great vocals but his acting wasn’t convincing. Loved Miranda, don’t get me started with her clothing, and she’s supposed to be the the fashion police??? Come on!!! Loved her acting and vocals All in all, I am super happy I went, great date with my daughter and I did love certain parts!

Paul Garry from Chicago, Illinois

DISAPPOINTING

I really wanted to like this show. Unfortunately, it just misses the mark. The songs are not quite memorable, the lead character Andy Sachs is ok but is not the combination of intelligence and glamor (after transformation) that the character demands, the second acts bogs down, the character of Emily is not given enough to do while several of the other supporting cast fade into the stage set and, perhaps most shockingly, the costumes while good are not breathtaking enough. While the characters of Miranda and Nigel are wonderfully played, they cannot quite make up for the other inadequacies which reduces this play from a blockbuster to a play that is just ok.

Grace from Chicago, Illinois

PROMISING, BUT NEEDS WORKS

Saw DWP on Wednesday 7/20. I went in with really high expectations as the cast and production crew is quite stacked on paper. However, the production as a whole doesn’t quite gel and there are several major weaknesses that should be addressed before it advances to Broadway. The most glaring of these weaknesses for me was the lyrics; many of the numbers would benefit from some rewrites with the “show don’t tell” principle in mind, particularly Andi’s opening number and Nigel’s solo song in Paris. It was also a crime how underutilized Emily’s character was especially in Act 2, as she was in my opinion the most effective actor on the stage. Andi’s descent into self-absorbedness happened far too quickly in Act 1, thus setting up Act 2 to have poor pacing (the Paris sequence as a whole took up far too much time). Kayla and Lauren did a nice job with the material they were given but at times their presence felt very unnecessary. Overall a good foundation, but needs fine-tuning.

Greg C from Chicago, Illinois

NEEDS A SONG OR TWO

While enjoyable the production is a little all over the place. Beth Levell is under utilized to the point that the devil is lost in the show. The theme song needs a rewrite or more prominence in the show. The actress playing Andy has a gorgeous voice but you leave the theater without a song replaying in your head. Staging is strange often set changes steal focus from the lead singing her emotional ballad. move the furniture later. Would love to see a duet between Miranda and Andy. The boyfriend and two friends also need some better moments. In all the pieces are there for a great show just needs some reworking. Also runs long and needs tightening up before New York.

Nancy from Detroit, MI

EDIT, EDIT, EDIT

The musical got bogged down in secondary characters ( the roommates) which didn’t allow enough interacting songs between Miranda and Andy. I thought the opening number would have worked better if Miranda appeared in it. Nigel was great and his dialogue and singing were memorable.

JLR312 from Chicago, Illinois

GOOD BUT NOT GREAT

I saw the play on 7/23 so I few days into the production. I loved the costumes and set designs. The music was good but not great. The stand outs for me were Beth Leavel as Miranda Priesly and Megan Haley as Emily. I think Megan Haley is wonderful, It's not the casts fault for not having a better score and Lyrics.

D. J. Beiler from Milwaukee, WI

DISAPPOINTING, ESPECIALLY FROM THE CALIBER OF WRITERS/DIRECTORS

I was so excited for the preview of this show but then reality hit. The first act was without a doubt the most lackluster! It really bothers me how a skilled group headed by Elton John can right a musical that doesn’t provide a song you can walk out humming to. In addition, how can a script include a four year romance between Alex and her boyfriend, yet no expression of the problems or joys through a duet. The Theme song and dance number of The Devil Wears Prada was boring and forgettable! Four of us attended the matinee today. We are all Broadway musical regulars and higher caliber attendees, in any, Chicago and various regional venues. Your problem is not the performers other than Beth Leaval being under utilized. Just hope you read these reviews and act upon it!!!

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