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Why Am I So Single Open Rehearsal Session
If you haven’t heard of Six The Musical you’ve obviously not been paying attention. The smash hit musical from Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss has gone from strength to strength since we first reviewed it back in 2018. So it’s no surprise that there is a buzz about the latest show from the same writers, Why Am I So Single? So much so in fact, that when we received the invite to attend an open rehearsal, we had a line of reviewers waving their hands frantically to attend. The lucky hand picked belonged to Rachel Sarah Leveney, who spend some time with the cast and crew getting a taste of what to expect when the show comes to The Garrick Theatre from 27 August.
Off the back of the raging success of Six the musical that is very much still ongoing, the Marlow and Moss dream team bring us Why Am I So Single, a brand-new musical set to hit the west end in just a few weeks time! Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss went away on a writing retreat together in 2020, spending most of it having a good old gossip. They then came home with a sparkling new musical about two friends who…. you guessed it, are writing a musical together! We join besties Oliver and Nancy, played by the incomparable duo Jo Foster and Leesa Tulley, as they drink, laugh, cry, and sing their way through all the reasons they could possibly be so totally single, all while putting off writing A Big Fancy Musical. Through their conversations we also get a much deeper insight into both characters, with the show addressing topics including difficult break-ups, identity, friendship, and writing a kick ass musical.
We joined the company of Why Am I So Single in rehearsals and were treated to performances of three of the numbers from the show, plus an exclusive preview of a new number never seen before.
The show opens with the title number, which takes place in Oliver’s flat, and Nancy has come over after a totally awful hinge date. This number is a very clever mash up of timelines, making it purposefully unclear whether it is happening in real time or whether it is a part of the musical they’re writing, and I get the impression that the entire show will follow the same structure of this Strange Loop. We’re next treated to a rendition of ‘Just In Case’, a gorgeous ballad that blends seamlessly with the truly beautiful tone Leesa has to her stunning voice. The song delves into Nancy’s relationship with her ex, and why she simply cannot move on, instead continuing to think about him beyond all measure of reason. Next was an exclusive snippet of ‘Men R Trash’, a brand new number never seen before. I won’t give too much away except prepare for choreo with trash bags to become the best thing you’ve ever seen. Going out with a bang, we ended with a performance of ‘8 Dates’. Led by Jo, who’s knack for comedic timing makes the song a total hoot, this number is exactly what it says on the tin – a comically clever roundup of Oliver’s last eight dates.
With loads of fun musical theatre references, catchy tunes, clever lyrics and KILLER vocals, this show has it all. But the ribbon that ties it all together is the absolutely incredible choreography (Ellen Kane, Ebony Clarke, Michael Naylor) which is smashed by this insanely talented cast.
If you breathe oxygen then you will find something in this show to relate to, not to mention the fact that it’s both gorgeous and hilarious. This is a show full of glitz and glam, joy and utter heart, I have no doubt I will be totally called out and told by this absolutely fire cast EXACTLY why I am so single, and I can’t WAIT for it.
You can catch Why Am I So Single at The Garrick Theatre from the 27th August to 13th February. Tickets available here.
