Head Over Heels: Bringing a New Beat

Fun Fact: The Go-Go's are the only all-female band in history that topped the Billboard charts having written, performed and played their own instruments.

Target Audience: The Go-Go's will have a fan base heading to see this show and those who enjoy the humor of Avenue Q. Judging by the cheers in the audience Peppermint has a drawcard here too!

Best Bit: Bonnie Milligan (Pamela) was fantastic! She is making her Broadway debut and I hope to see more of her.

Morning After Effect: The Go-Go's have a pretty remarkable success story and so it felt incredibly bazaar that this production has nothing to do with them. I guess that's another play waiting to happen.

I have had the belief for quite some time that anything is possible when it comes to theatre. I have certainly been surprised and flabbergasted by shows on and off-Broadway. Be it the story, outlandish humor, peculiar sets, or abnormal music, there is no denying that the theatre is home to anyone who chooses to move in. However, it is ultimately up to the audience who decides just how long these theatrical tenants will stay, unless they commit to a limited run and a fly by night performance. Well, Head Over Heels has moved into the Hudson Theatre and is creating quite a stir. Blaring music from The Go-Go's while unpacking iambic pentameter, along with absurd outbursts and misplaced choreography. It is the neighbor who moves in and you're not quite sure what to make of them. Breaking all rules and boundaries yet charming you into a night of wild debauchery, and leaving you curious as to whether you might end up in an ice tub missing a kidney.

Yes, Head Over Heels is that whack and while I giggled my way through this production I caught myself feeling totally stunned and wondering what on earth was going on?! It's unbelievably absurd and covers just about every theme under the sun from 1600s controversy over the rule of the King, to homosexuality, and gender neutrality. Head Over Heels was conceived by Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q) based on The Arcadia which written by Sir Phillip Sidney. It was then adapted by James Magruder who injected music from The Go-Go's, and directed by Michael Mayer (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Spring Awakening). It's been passed along like a hot potato and has landed on Broadway ready to shake and bake, kicking off with the infectious hit "We Got the Beat". It also boasts the first transgender women to create a principal role on Broadway, welcoming Peppermint (playing Pythio, The Oracle of Delphi) from season nine of RuPaul's Drag Race. Yes, you read that correctly. It's wild, naughty, and ridiculous - and not suitable for children, judging by the three sitting in front of me who were very confused by the sexual scenes.

As Mopsa (Taylor Iman Jones) heads to Lesbos for a vacation - the lesbian island - to "find" herself we too are given a moment to catch up. Well, sort of. In a nutshell - the King does not want to give up power, his oldest daughter has not yet married because unbeknown to her she is a lesbian, the youngest falls in love with a shepherd boy who then dresses in drag in order to spend time with his beloved - only to have both the parents become utterly besotted with him. Throw in the giant snake Pythio, and the backing-track of the Go-Go's, and your mind has no option but to surrender to this insanity.

Bonnie Milligan is making her Broadway debut as Pamela, the self-obsessed lesbian princess. Milligan is very funny and keeps the audience rolling with laughter - her solo performance of "How Much More" was hysterical! Andrew Durand, best known for his performance in Spring Awakening, plays Musidorus a shepherd boy who dresses as a woman, and then realizes he quite likes it. Durand makes this show and somehow grabs you by the hand and takes you on this most unusual journey, not letting go for one second. When he is disguised as the blonde bombshell he wins everyone over in the story and the audience follows suit. He physicalizes comedy with every cell and you will fall "head over heels" for him!

Whether or not you need to know about The Go-Go's prior to seeing this show I'm uncertain. I was able to get through knowing only a few of their songs and I don't believe the music and story are interconnected. The Go-Go's were an all-female band part of the new wave movement in the early 80s who shot to fame, they have a cult following specifically in the gay community which is perhaps where the link to Peppermint comes in. As it turns out the only thing remotely connected to The Go-Go's - aside from the music - is the all-female band leading this production who are revealed at the end. They were awesome!

Despite the bazaar nature of this production which sometimes feels like a high school play, it leaves you with some solid life lessons and a smile on your face, and I guess that's what theatre is all about. You will certainly wake up after a night out with this newbie wondering "what on earth happened last night?"

View our show pages for more information about Head Over Heels, Hudson Theatre.