The stage adaptation of “Schmigadoon!” on Broadway; from television to the stage with a taste of cornbread pudding for everyone

According to the CinemaDrame news agency, the musical “Schmigadoon!” is not as bizarre or laugh-out-loud funny as “Titanic,” nor does it have the sharpness and biting humor of “Something Rotten!,” and of course it is not as identity-less as “Smash.” Instead, it sits somewhere among contemporary musicals that themselves parody the musical genre—and it settles comfortably in that space.

Based on the first season of a television series, the work is a bright and delightful form of entertainment that can briefly detach audiences from the troubles and chaos of the real world.

The show’s musical jokes rely heavily on general pop-cultural knowledge—things we might remember from series like “Glee” or even certain episodes of “The Simpsons.” However, the work by Cinco Paul also includes moments that are more appealing to serious theatre audiences; subtle details that only insiders would notice. If you know what happens to those handsome men from touring productions who are always ready to break into ballet, “Schmigadoon!” will truly captivate you.

If you haven’t seen the recent TV series, the story is as follows: a young married couple, both doctors (Alex Brightman and Sara Chase), meet by chance near a hospital vending machine, get married, and a few years later find themselves constantly arguing, more absorbed in their phones than in each other. This progression is cleverly presented on stage through time jumps in a short span.

During a couples’ therapy hiking retreat, Josh and Melissa cross a fairy-tale-like bridge and suddenly find themselves in a nostalgic, musical-like world—somewhere between the colorful atmosphere of “The Music Man,” the enchantment of “Brigadoon,” and the carnival temptations of “Carousel.” Josh, who fundamentally hates musicals (he even dislikes “Singin’ in the Rain,” despite Melissa’s efforts to convince him), is now unwillingly trapped in exactly such a world.

Soon, Josh and Melissa, along with the audience, meet the town’s residents: people in simple, old-fashioned clothing who introduce themselves by singing the collective folk number “Schmigadoon!”—a song whose resemblance to “Oklahoma!” is enough to bring a smile. There is a charming little boy with a stutter, not named Winthrop, but clearly reminiscent of him. A handsome, carefree carnival worker, Danny Bailey, tries to win Melissa’s affection in a Billy Bigelow-like manner. Meanwhile, a local girl named Betsy (Mackenzie Kurtz), reminiscent of Ado Annie, becomes interested in Josh. And if nothing else works, she hopes to win him over with her delicious cornbread pudding—and yes, the show is fully aware of all its double meanings and puns, whether subtle or overt.

Just as the various characters inhabiting the town are clearly inspired by figures from Broadway’s Golden Age, the show’s music also draws heavily from that same era. As the composer, Cinco Paul has assembled a collection of songs that feel familiar—almost as if they’ve always existed somewhere in our memory, even if we can’t quite place them in words.

Some numbers are closer to their original inspirations than others. For example, “You Done Tamed Me,” performed by Danny, echoes Billy Bigelow’s monologue from “Carousel.” Or “Misery,” a fast-paced, word-heavy number inspired by “Trouble” from “The Music Man,” performed here with great energy by Ana Gasteyer in the role of the preacher’s book-burning wife. Most overt of all is “Baby Song,” which directly mirrors “Doh, Re, Mi” from “The Sound of Music” and offers a blunt, biological explanation of how babies are made.

If you’ve seen the TV version, some of these moments will feel familiar, including the fan-favorite “corn pudding” sequence. But what may have been less noticeable is the strange sensation of watching such a fantastical world contained within the hyper-real frame of television. On stage, Josh and Melissa, having stepped out of the real world, are fully immersed in a genuine musical world rather than something like a “Truman Show”-style reflection.

In this transition from television to stage, some of the original sense of novelty may be lost. However, with dazzling costumes, high-energy singing and dancing, and the bright, joyful atmosphere filling the Nederlander Theatre, those minor shortcomings are quickly pushed into the background.

Under the direction of Christopher Gattelli, who also handles choreography with remarkable energy and precision, the cast of the show is clearly having a great time—and rightly so.

Ana Gasteyer still retains the same comedic brilliance she displayed during her years on the sketch comedy show, with not a trace of her sharp timing diminished. Her stern, rigid character, reminiscent of Elvira Gulch, is executed flawlessly, and her performance of “Misery in Schmigadoon!” is equally outstanding. If Cinco Paul ever decides to create a stage sequel that advances the Broadway timeline, Gasteyer’s involvement would feel absolutely essential.

Each cast member is given a moment to shine: Sara Chase, Ann Harada, Evan Hernandez as the town doctor—whose stiff, formal demeanor recalls Captain von Trapp—and Brad Oscar as Mayor Menlove, who hides his repressed desires beneath flamboyant, exaggerated costumes, rivaled only by his tender affection for the shy town preacher (played by Kevin Del Aguila).

The only performer who seems somewhat out of step with this exuberant world is Alex Brightman. As Josh, the rational man who despises musicals, he has limited opportunities to showcase his usual energy. An actor known for standout roles in “Beetlejuice,” “School of Rock,” and “Spamalot,” he is given fewer chances for comedy or musical expression here and has relatively few songs to perform. Josh spends much of the show complaining and uttering lines like “someone get me out of here,” while everyone around him is fully immersed in song and dance-filled joy. It is, quite frankly, a pity.

Title: Schmigadoon!
Venue: Nederlander Theatre, Broadway
Director: Christopher Gattelli
Book and Music: Cinco Paul (based on the series created by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio)
Cast: Alex Brightman, Sara Chase, Ana Gasteyer, Ann Harada, Brad Oscar, Isabelle McCalla, Evan Hernandez, Kevin Del Aguila, Max Clayton, Mackenzie Kurtz, Ayan Diop
Running time: 2 hours and 30 minutes (including intermission)