The Devil Wears Prada2: A New Musical
# Hosted by Stella Han: A Review of *The Devil Wears Prada: A New Musical* Sequel Hey fashion and theater fans! I’m Stella Han, and let’s talk about the most anticipated stage sequel of the year—*The Devil Wears Prada: A New Musical* Part 2. After the first show wowed London’s Dominion Theatre with Elton John’s score and runway-worthy costumes , could this follow-up live up to Miranda Priestly’s impossible standards? Spoiler: It doesn’t just meet them—it redefines the franchise’s sparkle. ## First, the Music: Elton John’s Score Grows Up (Just Like Andy) Elton John is back with a score that’s equal parts glamour and grit—perfect for a story where “fashion’s fiercest” face the collapse of traditional publishing . The first musical leaned into big, brassy numbers for Miranda’s entrance, but here? He gets *intimate*. Take “Print’s Last Breath”—Miranda’s solo where she croons over a muted piano, her voice sharp as a tailor’s scissors but tinged with vulnerability (“My magazine’s not just ink—it’s a legacy”). It’s a far cry from the icy “The Devil You Know” of the first show, and it works—you finally hear the woman behind the sunglasses. Then there’s Emily’s track, “Luxury Lane”—now a high-flying brand exec , her song mixes synth beats with a cheeky lyric (“I traded lattes for Learjets, but I still hate bad grammar”). It’s catchy enough to hum on your way to work, and the choreography (still Jerry Mitchell’s genius ) has her twirling in a sequined blazer while assistants pass her iPads—pure chaos, pure fun. The real standout? “Crossroads,” Andy and Miranda’s duet. Andy’s now an investigative journalist, and when they clash over a story about fashion’s environmental cost, their voices weave like silk and steel. Elton even nods to the first musical with a subtle callback to “Dress Your Way Up,” but this time it’s stripped down—no fanfare, just two women realizing how much they’ve shaped each other. ## The Story: More Heart, Less “Runway Drama” The first show stuck close to the movie’s “fish out of water” vibe, but this sequel digs deeper. It loosely pulls from *Revenge Wears Prada* , but dumps the petty revenge subplots for something sharper: What happens when the world that made you famous leaves you behind? Miranda’s fighting to save *Runway* from going fully digital, Emily’s navigating corporate backstabbing, and Andy’s grappling with whether “success” still means what it did a decade ago. The book (still Kate Wetherhead’s work ) keeps the iconic one-liners (“That’s all”) but adds quieter moments—like Nigel teaching interns to sew, or Andy bonding with her now-teenage niece over vintage *Runway* issues. These beats ground the glitz, making the characters feel less like “fashion icons” and more like people. ## The Spectacle: Fashion as a Character (As It Should Be) Gregg Barnes’ costumes were the stars of the first musical , and here he outdoes himself. Miranda wears a gown made from recycled magazine pages for the climax—symbolic, yes, but also stunning. The set? Tim Hatley turns the Dominion Theatre into a rotating fashion closet: one minute you’re in *Runway*’s marble lobby, the next you’re in a neon-lit tech startup. When Paris Fashion Week hits, the stage floods with projections of past shows—Coco Chanel, Versace, even the first *Runway* cover—and the audience gasped (I did too). ## Is It Worth the Ticket? Absolutely. The first *Devil Wears Prada* musical was a love letter to fashion. This one’s a love letter to *growth*. Elton John’s score matures with the characters, the story trades camp for heart, and the costumes? Well, they’re worth the price alone. Whether you’re a diehard movie fan or just love a good duet, this sequel proves some stories—like great style—never go out of fashion. Have you seen it? Did “Luxury Lane” get stuck in your head? Drop a comment—I need to gush about Emily’s blazers more. Thanks for hanging, everyone! I’m Stella Han—now go grab your most stylish outfit and see this show. And remember: Never mess with a woman who knows her worth (and her wardrobe). Catch you next time!
