I’m a musical theater nerd and love classic Broadway musicals. Even though they may be dated now, I still have an affection for them. So when the television show called Schmigadoon aired in 2021 on Apple TV, parodying old musicals I became an enthusiastic fan. Now the TV show has become a 2 ½ hour musical at the Nederlander Theatre, retaining everything that worked for the series. The music by Cinco Paul is as creative as it was on tv with even more songs added.

A couple of NY doctors, Josh Skinner (Alex Brightman) and Melissa Gimbel (Sarah Chase) have been dating for years. Although their friends are getting married, Josh is reluctant to make a commitment so Melissa convinces him to go on a couples’ retreat.The two wind up lost in the woods when they come upon a small bridge. After crossing it, they find themselves in ‘magical’ Schmigadoon, a colorful musical town where characters burst out suddenly in song and dance.

Josh expresses an aversion to the musicals which Melissa loves as she explains that when emotions get too strong for characters, they break out in song. Melissa sees the town as a delightful adventure whereas Josh appears to be in pain, especially when the townspeople perform. After a while, they realize this town isn’t a theme park. The only way out is to cross the bridge out with your true love.

One of the joys of the musical is that almost every song is reminiscent of a famous number from one of the musical classics, such as Oklahoma, Brigadoon, Sound of Music, Carousel, Finiain’s Rainbow and Music Man. It won't matter if old musicals are your thing because Paul’s music is fun and his lyrics are extremely clever. The songs are beautifully choreographed by director Christopher Gattelli.

When the ensemble sings “Corn Puddin’” Paul’s spoof really works because the song he’s mocking evokes Carousel’s “Clambake “and Gattelli ‘s dances are inspired by Oklahoma and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” with the female dancers in their gingham dresses.

There are some topics that would have been forbidden in old musicals but this is 2026 so nothing is sacred. The mayor (humorous Brad Oscar) keeps his secret as a closeted homosexual. When a young pregnant girl confesses that she doesn’t know anything about how babies are born, Sara, wearing a nun’s habit, grabs a guitar and sings “Baby Talk”. The song which highlights male and female genitalia is a melody reminiscent of “Do Re Mi.“

Knowing that they must find their true loves to leave Schmigadoon, Josh and Melissa interact with the townspeople. Josh goes over the bridge with all the eligible girls in town. The bridge is literal as well as metaphorical here. (“They even sing a song about it “Cross that Bridge.”) When he buys a picnic basket from the Ado- Annie character of the show, Betsy (a hysterical McKenzie Kurtz), her father, brandishing a shotgun, insists they marry. Melissa assures Josh that he shouldn’t worry since no one ever dies in the musicals. Then the two begin to list all the musicals when characters do die- Oklahoma ,Carousel, Sound of Music and the list goes on.

Melissa gets to meet eligible men as well. Max Clayton, as Dan Bailey, the carney who falls for Melissa, is hysterical. Bright, innocent and muscled, he plans to get money for their unborn child and sings, “I’m engaged,” a take-off on Billy Bigelow’s “Soliloquy.” After Dan, she gets a job as a nurse since women wouldn’t be doctors in old musicals. Her gorgeous older boss, Doc (Ivan Hernandez) is a Captain Von Trapp- Emile De Beque figure.

Along the way, the audience has a grand old time, especially when a pro, Ana Gesteyer trying to rally people up to vote for her for Mayor, sings “Tribulations ‘(shades of Music Man’s “Ya Got Trouble.”) The lyrics are clever and she delivers them lightning fast.

The show is so much fun! My only complaint is that Brightman, a talented singer and the bold, brash star of School of Rock and Beetlejuice, only gets to perform one quiet number. Yet Brightman does much with his facial expressions, sarcasm and cynical responses.

The show parodies old -time musicals and maybe makes fun of them but who cares? If you know them and love them like I do, you will be glad you bought a ticket. And if you don’t, like Josh you will learn to appreciate them. At Schmigadoon you will enjoy "Some Enchanted Evening.”