The biggest challenge in adapting a beloved property for the stage is structure – what stays in and what gets cut.  In this regard, the musical version of The Devil Wears Prada is successful.  And with such a quotable film, dialogue shouldn’t be an issue.  Alas, that’s where the problems begin.  Obviously changes must be made, but sometimes an extraneous “yet” can throw off an entire scene.  Still, it must be said that this musical is completely “fine”.  What it isn’t is completely “fun”.  Elton John’s music is serviceable, even if many songs sound derivative of “I’m Still Standing”.  The literal imagery of the “devil” may work in a Bananarama video, but it’s too heavy-handed here.  I felt many of the clothes looked cheap – something closer to Solid Gold than Runway.  Also, when someone goes in a dressing room to try on an outfit, they shouldn’t come out with new hair and makeup.

In terms of cast, Georgie Buckland is winning as Andrea, if not perhaps a bit more snappy than expected (and almost painfully thin).  The Emily of Amy Di Bartolomeo is simply divine.  Her Act 2 opener is THE showstopper of the night (the hot nurse helped).  Matt Henry is extremely successful as Nigel, primarily because the character has been re-imagined as a sassy black man (shades of André Leon Talley).  The Miranda of Vanessa Williams looks smashing, but has little more to do other than strut.  Her delivery is more varied and less dry than Meryl’s – which is not a bad thing.  But when Miranda is more human and Andrea is somewhat more jaded from the get-go, it throws off the balance.  Neither lady gets quite the transformation she deserves.  And let me give the producers a tip for free.  You have a giant staircase – for God’s sake, use it.  If you make Andrea complicit in Emily’s accident, we no longer root for her.  At the end of act one, have Emily get distracted at the top of the staircase and fall on her own – maybe in slow motion.  Then you have perfectly set up the opening of Act Two and taken the onus off of Andy.  You’re welcome.

You know all that chatter about a sequel to the film The Devil Wears Prada?  Well, it’s gone beyond chatter – Disney has announced intentions for the sequel to come out during next year’s 20^th anniversary – and given it a release date of May 1, 2026.  Since films typically wrap months before their release, one would assume there is a script and a cast with less than a year to spare.  So is there a script?  We’re told there is.   Has the cast signed on?  Not to the best of my knowledge, although all four leads have expressed interest.  All I can say is…stay tuned.