Already Perfect is a searing and uplifting new musical by Tony Award® winner Levi Kreis. On the eve of his Broadway show being filmed for the archives, Levi finds himself alone in his dressing room, unravelling and on the brink of ending it all.
How lovely to attend the opening night of a musical premiere here in the UK! And this one is just glorious! Levi Kreis has created this wonderful piece of magical theatre.
Sat alone in his dressing room following a matinee performance enjoying some private time. He’s visited by his spirit guide (Yiftach ‘Iffy’ Mizrahi) who summons a younger performer (Killian Thomas Lefevre) and you have a mix of a modern day Scrooge story played out by this talented cast. It doesn’t hurt that between them they have the looks of Bruce Springsteen, Jonathan Bailey and Timothée Chalamet.
There are so many beautiful elements to this new musical – the Set is so clever. The back wall of the dressing room is on a Lazy Susan and wheels allowing it to revolve. The lighting is wonderful dipping in and out of musical theatre, fantasy and dressing room realism. The director has brought in many nuanced moments along with a nice mechanism that each of the characters can “click” their fingers to snap in and out of the scenes. The live band are up on a rear platform revealed now and again.
The story is of a young man who was caught up in a religious community. That community, rather than being inclusive and loving of their young people, wanted to mess with his head and take him through gay conversion therapy. Of course, that doesn’t work but it did leave the poor fella feeling guilty and trying to suppress his feelings. He is bullied and taken advantage of and is in denial about himself.
Somewhat falling off the tracks and getting into a few scrapes, lacking self respect, Levi ends up making some questionable choices which have a damaging mental impact for his future relationships. Along with sero-converting which is ultimately met with relationship challenges. There is a lot in the story which is handled subtly without over-egging the drama. A light touch which was both sad and beautiful.
The heart and the musicality in this show, the story, the casting, the technical design elements all come together to create a production I’d want to see again.
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
Killian Thomas Lefevre
Yiftach ‘Iffy’ Mizrahi
Levi Kreis
Creative team
Book, Music & Lyrics: Levi Kreis
Additional Book: Dave Solomon
Director: Dave Solomon
Music Supervisor/ Keys, Arrangements & Orchestrations: Matthew Antonio Perri
Movement Director: Jennifer Rooney
Scenic Designer: Jason Ardizzone-West
Sound Designer: Jessica Paz
Lighting Designer: Ian Scott
Costume Designer: Jason Antone
Assistant Director: Alfred Taylor-Gaunt
Associate Set Designer: Eleanor Wintour
Associate Sound Designer: Andrew Johnson
Music Assistant: Amos Wong
Casting Director: Will Burton for Grindrod Burton
Producer: Larry Lelli, Lelli-Pop Productions
Executive Producer and General Manager: Katy Lipson, Aria Entertainment