Interludes

VIEWPOINTS – New Off-Broadway musicals that eschew plot in pursuit of vibes and a message: Lea and Drew Lachey’s LABEL•LESS, Kwame Daniels’ NORTH STAR

• By drediman
• June 26, 2026
• No Comments

Over the past week or so, I was able to take in a pair of Off-Broadway musicals that both eschewed plot in pursuit of creating a vibe and conveying their respective message. As per usual, read on for my thoughts.

LABEL•LESS
The Duke on 42nd Street
Through August 29

It’s hard to assess a show like Label•less (SOMEWHAT RECOMMENDED), the collaborative new musical revue co-created and co-directed by Lea and Drew Lachey. What’s clear throughout is that its heart is firmly in the right place. Dealing with and inspirationally combatting issues such as homophobia, racism, depression, and various other prejudices, the musical offers words and songs of comfort to reinforce notions of resilience, empathy, and community. That being said, the musical — which features a play-by-play, monologue-driven book by Drew Lachey — lacks depth and nuance in its messaging, resulting in words of wisdom that invariably land didactically and obviously. We’ve heard all of this before, and then some. What’s also not in question is the explosion of young talent on abundant on display during the show’s 90 high-octane minutes. Eager and insistently upbeat, the ensemble delivers time and time again in terms of professionalism and energy. Suffice to say, they sing and dance up a storm. The Lacheys have a clear grasp of the pop vernacular, as evidenced by the song selections — mainly from songwriters Jamie Jones, Jimmy “Gittum” Rodgers, and Isabella Langley, many of them recognizable from the radio — as well as the slick, commercially choreographed, almost over-produced production numbers that seem custom-made for the camera (the choreography is by Lea Lachey and Traci Swain). In fact, often times the production seems a bit outsized for its current Off-Broadway home, the flexible Duke at 42nd Street. Indeed, simply for entertainment value, I’d say give Label•less a shot. But those looking for something more thought-provoking and substantial to chew on in today’s layered sociology-political environment, I’d say perhaps look elsewhere.

NORTH STAR
Irish Arts Center
Closed

Then there’s the recently shuttered North Star (RECOMMENDED), which recently ran Off-Broadway at the Irish Arts Center in Hell’s Kitchen. In turn contemplative and joyous, the unique and hard-to-classify experience, conceived by Kwame Daniels, takes its cue from abolitionist Frederick Douglass’s unlikely but eye-opening trip to  Belfast  in 1845. Although the 70-minute theatrical happening is built upon a bespoke hybrid of music concert, multimedia video projections, and spoken word — some of them written and performed by youths from the local community — the gorgeous songs and music-making were the inspired standout elements (the original music compositions are by Kaidi Tatham, Winnie Ama, Leo Miyagee, and Hannah Peel). Indeed, the luscious songs were performed with undeniable soul and distinct style by two singers — singer-songwriter Winnie Ama and hip-hop artist OneDa — who were backed by an elaborate onstage band, comprised of brass, string section, percussion, keys, bass, and guitar (the expert arrangements are by Kaidi Tatham), as well as a chorus. It’s a lavish setup that would make even some Broadway productions envious. Despite Daniels’ efforts to envelop theater-goers with an immersive staging — which has most of the spectators on their feet for the entirety of the show, even encouraging dancing at some points — it seemed that many in the audience at the performance I attended would have preferred to be seated. Although the thematic connections that it endeavors to create between Ireland and Black cultures are at times a bit tenuous, North Star creates a sense of community and a vibrant and inviting vibe that you ultimately can’t help but be drawn into.