Grading on a curve because it's a first preview, I generally enjoyed the show. I think Act II is stronger/tighter/better than Act I, which isn't usually how I feel about first previews. That said, Act II did feel a little rushed, and I think the production would do well to trim some fat/extraneous scenes (esp. in Act I) and build out the climax of the show. Also, there's a post-bow Easter Egg/scene, so don't leave the theatre early.
My biggest issue with the show is tone. It doesn't quite strike the balance between horror and campy 80s comedy that I think it wants to achieve. The opening of the show is bone-chillingly sinister, but you don't return to that feeling until the very end. For most of the show, the Lost Boys come off more as annoying than dangerous.
I also second the comment about there being too many ballads. That said, there are some bangers, too -- there's a hauntingly beautiful song toward the end of Act I (My Heart to You), and I really wanted more of that. The lyrics are a bit too generic/bland -- you could probably plop most of the songs into another musical without too much difficulty. The book has its moments; Paul Alexander Nolan delivers a tongue-in-cheek quote that got a lot of laughs (which the creatives should absolutely keep).
The cast is excellent, and the aerials had me on the edge of my seat. Standouts to me were Maria Wirries and Paul Alexander Nolan.
The hold in Act II was for a playground merry-go-round/spinner that clanged as it came up the elevator. The merry-go-round isn't pivotal to the plot, but there's some blocking/choreo on it, so I think the crew wanted to make sure it was safe to use.
I'll be curious to see whether they pick a lane in terms of tone. I think the comedic aspects of the show worked better than the dramatic bits, but maybe there's a way to punch up the sinister/spooky aspects without sacrificing the laughs. I'll probably see this again after opening.
Updated On: 3/28/26 at 12:15 AM
.jpg?format=auto&width=365)
