Cry-Baby, The Musical
I am a big fan of the film, a bigger fan of the musical! "Cry-Baby" tells the rivalry story seen many times, like in "Romeo & Juliet," "West Side Story," and "Grease," but this one is set in the 50s and has a deadpan way of making fun of itself, the genre, and the stereotypical American squares and drapes of the time.
In all the movie-to-musical adaptations I have seen, I don’t think any have worked this well. "Cry-Baby" the musical captures the heart of the film so magnificently that, yes they changed sections like the chicken race, and the prison break but I didn't care as I loved everything about this show.
The musical emphasises some of the worries happening in the 50s, with polio and nuclear war. As the show starts, included in the overture, we are told to take our seats and turn off phones, and this is the simplest example of how wonderfully integrated the whole show is.
Book by Mark O'Donnell & Thomas Meehan and songs by David Javerbaum & Adam Schlesinger are simply perfect. There is a nonstop barrage of comedy to keep you laughing and it is done in such a way that it flows so naturally without the forced gag. Even more than that, the intricacies and wit will keep you on your toes; at some points, I was laughing out loud to a joke that was so underplayed it took me more than a moment to realise what had just been said.
For this production, the set is limited to a moving raised section and some small signs flown in, with a painted American flag filling the entire back wall (no, I did not count how many stars there were). The band are positioned above the stage and to the side. I would have liked them to be more visible, but I appreciate that not all band members want to be in the spotlight, and also the very narrow stage they had to work with. With a cast like this, they could have performed in a shed and I would have still loved it.
Was I disappointed that our leading man in the role of Cry-Baby, Adam Davidson didn’t look like '90s Johnny Depp, sure, but after moments of him being on stage I was more than impressed with the work he put into this character and voice and soon forgot about our Johnny. Allison, played by Lulu-Mae Pears, was the perfect American sweetheart with a voice to match. Most remarkably is that the company managed to keep a straight face when singing songs such as "Anti-Polio Picnic," "I'm Infected," and "Girl Can I Kiss You With Tongue."
While talking songs, honourable mentions have to go to the first barber shop number, "Squeaky Clean," performed by the Whiffles and Alison, not to mention the beautiful ballad that is "Baby Baby Baby," some pure genius writing.
Don’t be a square; book today.
This show was reviewed on the 13th March 2025 at the Arcola Theatre, London where it runs until the 12th April 2025. Tickets available here: Cry-Baby, The Musical - Arcola Theatre
Review written by Valentine Gale-Sides
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Photo credit : Charlie Flint
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