Schmigadoon Is Amazing

 Not too long ago I review Come From Away with the version released on Apple TV Plus, and little did I know there were a couple of other musical properties on the site as well, such as Central Park which I covered but there was also Schmigadoon, a star studded cast of Broadway and television alumni, coming together to make a six episode musical comedy series. So was this a wonderful visit, or too good to be true, let's dive in. 

When Josh and Melissa, a couple who are on a retreat gone sour get lost and cross into the aforementioned town the series is named after, they find themselves trapped in a musical. The town is full of many characters each with a set personality, job, and is content with things staying the same, and Josh and Melissa can not leave until they find themselves falling into true love, and all the towns people may have a secret or two about themselves that they hide under their cherry musical facades. The town is a step back in time back before movies were what they were today, and looks like something from the 1950's or even before, and a song is never too far around the corner either.

This show is not only funny, it is heartfelt with great messages about change, love, and embracing yourself among others but it is so well written, and well done. Each song is well performed, and every scene acted amazingly, every performer does amazing in song or dialogue and there is no weak episode, or dull moment. The characters are real, believable, and many are likeable from the second you meet them. The story is well executed to the point that you feel for the stakes, the romance, and drama. Every character has a place and they fit their roles perfectly, in and out of song.

This show is MADE for musical fans, the parodies, references, and jokes aimed at musicals are all done at a place of love. Jabbing at the classic era and paying homage at the same time, while showing how musicals and society has changed since then. References to Carousel, Sound Of Music, Music Man, and more are abundant from the songs, the characters, and jokes, all paying tribute to that era in such a fun way that never comes across as mean spirited. All of the songs are catchy and great listens and are also great references to the classic era in their styles, catchy, full of heart, and sometimes full of references, such as a song that reminds us of how some classic shows had songs that had no meaning, or songs sung by characters who have little to no impact on the narrative and don't have a ton of screen time. The choreography, big group numbers, solo songs, duets, each one is a home run. 

This show is a must for fans of musicals as a whole, doubly so if you love or know classic era musicals and can catch the references. But this is also just worth the watch, it is well written, funny, heartfelt and amazing. The world is warm, bright, and colorful, combined with stellar writing, acting, and music, the jokes land well and are great references to that era of musicals. This series is great, nothing short of it, and I have kept this vague because I do not want to spoil something so amazing and can not recommend it enough. This is a town I plan on visiting, again and again.