Interludes

VIEWPOINTS – Retro-escapism: Silliness and nostalgia fuel BIGFOOT! THE MUSICAL and THE MALL THE MALL THE MALL

• By drediman
• March 10, 2026
• No Comments

During these fraught times, sometimes all you need to keep you moving forward is a healthy dose of some goofy escapism, and nothing more substantial than that. Currently on the boards, there are two Off-Broadway shows with sketch-comedy vibes that are fueled by silliness and nostalgia — let’s call it retro-escapism — that may just fit the bill if you’re in that certain kind of mood. As per usual, read on for my thoughts.

BIGFOOT! THE MUSICAL
New York City Center
Through April 26

First up at New York City Center is Bigfoot! The Musical (RECOMMENDED), a new musical featuring lyrics by Amber Ruffin, music by David Schmoll, and a book by Ruffin and Kevin Sciretta. To say that this new musical comedy doesn’t have a serious bone in its body would be an understatement. The show is fast-paced and more often than not strikes comedy gold, which is unsurprising given that Ruffin has had ample experience working on Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Seth Meyers, as well as co-writing the musical adaptation of Some Like It Hot. Indeed, Bigfoot! is pretty much joyous from start to finish, even if the show’s sweetness and hilarity occasionally comes across a touch forced and fabricated. The production by director Danny Mefford — who is currently represented in New York by the exuberant Off-Broadway revival of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee — is nothing less than a well-oiled machine that speeds through the amiably didactic material like a bullet train and a giddy flair for parodying the 1980s. The show’s overall success is in no small part due to Schmoll and Ruffin’s carefully-honed score, as well as predictably spot-on performances from the likes of Crystal Lucas-Perry, Grey Henson, and Jason Tam — all of whom are clearly having a blast performing the show.

THE MALL THE MALL THE MALL
The Tank
Through March 22

If you’re looking for something a little scrappier, may I then turn your attention to Philip Kenner’s The Mall The Mall The Mall (RECOMMENDED), a silly little retro play — with strong vintage video game vibes — currently running at The Tank. In short, the new play tells the story of a band of teenage nerds on a quest to retrieve stolen Buffy the Vampire Slayer merchandise at the local mall. Be forewarned, persons of a certain age who were (over) exposed to mall culture are likely to be triggered (a compliment). Indeed, witty, irreverent, and very funny references to the era (namely the 1990s and the aughts) and its prevalent brands/stores (e.g., the over-the-top depictions Bath & Body Works and Hollister tickled me) are the evening’s main sources of humor. The overall vibe is essentially that of parodies of entertainment properties like Stranger Things and The Goonies — which have been done before — with a sunny if rather straightforward overarching message about the importance of genuine friendship. As directed by James Wyrwicz, the breezy and unapologetically low-budget production flies by in the blink of an eye, thanks largely to the efforts of an eager and game young ensemble cast of five, who energetically and adorably embrace the ethos of much simpler times.