London theater critics have given generally positive reviews to the new musical But I’m a Cheerleader, based on the 1999 teen rom-com, which was developed as part of the 2019 MT Fest UK at The Other Palace. The creative team includes Bill Augustin (book, lyrics), Andrew Abrams (music), Tania Azevedo (direction), Josh Sood (music direction, orchestrations), David Shields (production design), Martha Godfrey (lights), Chris Whybrow (sound), Alexzandra Sarmiento (choreography), and George Reeve (projections).
The cast includes Oliver Brooks (Dad, Larry), Edward Chitticks (Jared, Rock), Alice Croft (Megan), Damon Gold (Andre), Tiffany Graves (Mary Brown), Jodie Jacobs (Mom, Lloyd), Lemuel Knights (Mike), Evie Rose Lane (Graham), Harry Singh (Jalal), Jodie Teel (Kimberly, Hilary), Aaron Teoh (Dolph), and Kia-Paris Walcott (Sinead). The show is booking at Battersea’s Turbine through April 16.
Broadway World (Aliya Al-Hassan): There’s no better way of exposing the absurdity of prejudice than skewering it with both parody and comedy. The production does both with wit, warmth and such conviction that you cannot help but root for a happy ending. … This feels like a much bigger show, squeezed into a small space. The action often spills out off the stage, as though the energy cannot quite be contained. David Shield’s design is economical but very effective, using every inch of the Turbine space. … It is a truly exciting new production, brimming with potential. 4 out of 5 stars.
Evening Standard (Nick Curtis): The show’s heart and conviction are hard to fault, but an air of amateurishness also looms large. There’s far too much filler between the good songs, and the plot has if anything become baggier on stage. … The score is peppy but undistinguished, while the script meanders slowly towards a sweet but un-earned happy ending. … I feel like I’m kicking a small, cute animal here, as this show is undeniably fun and admirable. It’s the first full production to emerge from the Turbine Theatre’s Musical Theatre Festival: I just don’t think it’s totally ready yet. 3 out of 5 stars.
Guardian (Anya Ryan): The cast of 12 could benefit from a little more space than they have on the relatively small stage at the Turbine. … All their hard work appears a little rushed with so much for them to carry. Too many indistinguishable, repetitive scenes mean that the musical doesn’t reach its potential. There are a few standout numbers … but the slower ballads written by Bill Augustin and Andrew Abrams are forgettable and hamper the pace of an already lengthy musical. Still, this is a story that deserves attention. … And entertaining it certainly is. Performed by a cast with boundless talent, you can’t help but want to cheer. 3 out of 5 stars.
Set the Tape (Lee Thacker): The production is a true ensemble piece, with the majority of the cast doing double — or even triple — duty, playing the rest of the parts between them, serving up a tranche of different characters. … You would find it really hard not to love this slice of musical theatre, and it would be difficult to find a show which is quite so uplifting, making you feel almost like you are leaving the auditorium at the end floating out on a cloud of air, such is its power as the best natural high you can get. … This musical deserves to be a smash hit, which should run and run. 5 out of 5 stars.