The audience-participation conceit is what makes this show different every night: four people from the house are called up, given real words, and improvised around by a cast that has to keep the scene alive whichever way it goes. Underneath the comedy, Finn's score treats the kids' anxieties seriously enough that the ending genuinely lands. If you want theatre that could not be reproduced on a screen, buy a seat and consider volunteering.
What to expect
You can sign up to be a volunteer speller before the show; if picked, you spend the first act onstage. The production runs about a hundred minutes with no intermission in an intimate off-Broadway house. Expect a lot of improvisation around whoever is chosen.
Good to know
- New World Stages is on 50th Street, near the C/E at 50th Street
- Volunteer sign-up happens in the lobby before curtain - arrive early if you want a shot
- Runs about a hundred minutes with no intermission
- Fine for ages 10 and up, with some mild adult humour
- The complex is below street level with escalator and elevator access
- Off-Broadway pricing makes it one of the cheaper full musicals in Midtown
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Common questions
Can I really be in the show?
Yes - four audience members are selected before each performance to compete onstage as spellers.
Is there an intermission?
No, it runs straight through at roughly a hundred minutes.
Is it good for kids?
It suits ages 10 and up; a few jokes are aimed squarely at the adults.
