Nolan Boggess

Stuffed to the brim with pop culture references, musical theatre allusions, and absolute, bat-shit heart, The Big Gay Jamboree is a sturdy, smart musical that, despite some meandering, solidifies Marla Mindelle’s star. Aided with a splashy Off-Broadway design team and strong supporting cast, it’s a laugh-out-loud funny show that, sure, isn’t going to be for just anyone. Luckily, Marla Mindelle knows exactly who her audience is. They want to talk about Jennifer Lopez’s career through musical theatre! If that’s not you, don’t worry. You’ll catch up.

Whether or not the audience will be up to the challenge is a larger question. While the tension remains when the gun goes away, the show slowly oozes out information like an IV drip. At times, the show’s desire to remain obtuse gets in its own way. But, unlike its other less-successful, black-mirroresque peers, I promise Job’s final rattling, supreme reveal is worth it.

With the world finally catching up with Escola’s work, let’s hope more people travel all over the world to see Mary’s “short legs and long medleys.” Or at least enough to turn a strictly limited run into a Broadway mainstay.