Review: BEAU THE MUSICAL Packs the Green Room 42 With POP UP CONCERT
On the heels of ten Drama Desk Award nominations, BEAU returns to the New York stage for one night.
On April 29th, 2026, BEAU THE MUSICAL received ten (10) Drama Desk Award nominations. On May 8th, 2026, it was announced that BEAU THE MUSICAL would play a pop-up concert at The Green Room 42. On May 11th, that concert took place. That’s how fast the creators of BEAU THE MUSICAL put together this celebration of their wonderful show’s achievement. And do you know what? The show deserves the accolades and the celebration, and the good people at BEAU THE MUSICAL pulled that reunion concert together magnificently, with leading man Matt Rodin even flying back from the West Coast, where he relocated a few weeks earlier, to lead the party. And on May 11th, the (sort of) impromptu concert was a near sellout as fans, family, and friends flocked to the venue to raise a glass to ten DD noms. It was a spectacular night of entertainment with many of the BEAU team on hand.
Above: Andrea Goss, Miyuki Miyagi, Matt Rodin, Rose Van Dyne, Ryan Halsaver, Max Sangerman.
For their hour-long concert, the cast and creatives of Beau presented selected songs from the musical that took the Off-Broadway season by storm, capturing the attention and hearts of many people who now call themselves fans (and who have opined that Beau was their favorite show of the year). Acting as Master of Ceremonies, Matt Rodin explained for the full house that it simply would not be possible to do all of the numbers from the show, but that they would get in the ones that they could, and with each number performed, Rodin and co. did brief set-ups, on the off-chance that any member of the audience hadn’t seen the show, but it was clear that every member of the audience was well familiarized with the production, the score, and the cast that was on hand to land up on the stage. Indeed, when standby Tyler Donovan McCall was brought up to the microphone, it was announced that he had, literally, flown in from London and come to the show. No amount of jetlag could have prevented McCall from acing his performance for he and the band brought the house down. Factually, all of the musical numbers performed on the occasion were spectacular, though not all were rock and roll moments (and this is a cast of rockers) - some were lovely ballads of introspection and heartfelt emotions.
Above: Matt Rodin, Rose Van Dyne, Josh Rhodes, Ryan Halsaver, Luke Darnell, Norm Lewis, Max Sangerman.
Bridging the numbers together with effusive and informative chit chat, the electrifyingly charismatic Rodin spoke of his experience with BEAU THE MUSICAL (which dates back many years), praised the entire production team (at one point, asking all audience members who were involved with Beau to stand), and chatted with the creators. Director/choreographer Josh Rhodes and Douglas Lyons, who is credited with the concept, book, lyrics, and music, both joined the jubilation with some facts and stories (credited with music, Ethan D. Pakchar was not in the room), as well as Broadway superstar Norm Lewis, who was part of the behind-the-scenes development of Beau, and who had much to offer in the name of endorsement of the piece. While the creatives were onstage, a grand piece of news that made its way to the mic was the announcement of a cast recording, which sent the room into pandemonium. Truth is that the entire night was pandemonium as highlight after highlight took center stage. There is no question that BEAU THE MUSICAL was as special for these artists as it was for the audience, and the fact that they were able to pull this pop-up concert together in just six days is a testament to that, and to them. It was a truly special night masterfully crafted by truly special people. Now all we have to do is sit back and await the wonderful day when the cast album is released.
Above: Miyuki Miyagi, Matt Rodin, Rose Van Dyne, Derek Stoltenberg, Ryan Halsaver, Souglas Lyons, Max Sangerman.
Find great shows to see on the Green Room 42 website HERE.
BEAU THE MUSICAL is represented online HERE.
Photos by Stephen Mosher
Above: Tyler Donovan McCall joins the cast.
Above: Douglas Lyons and Josh Rhodes discuss the passion and reward behind BEAU THE MUSICAL.
Above: Norm Lewis waxes poetic and humorous about BEAU THE MUSICAL.
Above: Luke Darnell takes center stage.
Above: A tearful, touching moment between Tyler Donovan McCall and Matt Rodin.
Above: Andrea Goss, Miyuki Miyagi, Tyler Donovan McCall, Matt Rodin, Rose Van Dyne, Ryan Halsaver, Luke Darnell, and Max Sangerman.
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