Cruel Intentions: The Musical

Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical Experience is a 90s jukebox musical by Jordan Ross, Lindsey Rosin and Roger Kumble, based on Kumble's 1999 cult-hit film Cruel Intentions, itself a modern-day telling of the classic 1782 French novel Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. After two runs in Los Angeles and a pop-up engagement in New York, the show made its Off-Broadway debut at Greenwich Village nightclub Le Poisson Rouge in November 2017. Originally scheduled for a ten-week engagement was then extended three times, through April 2018.

Set to pop and rock hits of the 1990s and songs from the film's soundtrack, the plot of Cruel Intentions concerned the manipulations of Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil. The diabolical step-siblings place a bet on whether or not Sebastian can deflower their incoming headmaster’s daughter, Annette Hargrove. As the two set out to destroy the innocent girl – and anyone who gets in their way – they find themselves entangled in a web of secrets, temptation and love. The show was the first theater production ever staged at the club Le Poisson Rouge, which offered bar and table service.

The musical was directed by Lindsey Rosin and choreographed by Jennifer Weber, with music supervision and arrangements by Zach Spound. The original Off-Broadway cast starred Lauren Zakrin as Kathryn, Constantine Rousouli as Sebastian, Carrie St. Louis as Annette, Jessie Shelton as Cecile, Alex Boniello as Blaine (later replaced by Frankie Grande^[1]), Brian Muller as Greg, Matthew Griffin as Ronald, and Patricia Richardson as Mrs. Bunny Caldwell. The show was produced by Eva Price and Sucker Love Productions.

The New York Times called the musical “Funny and nostalgia-fueled! In this Cruel Intentions, high school schemers sing the best of the ‘90s... the choice lines and the inspired soundtrack hits are all there in this enjoyable show.” Vanity Fair’s Richard Lawson commented, “I can't believe how much I recommend the Cruel Intentions musical. It's perfect nostalgia — sweet, silly, sincere… and genuinely joyous.” Entertainment Weekly raved that the musical “infuses the story of the original film with a soundtrack of guilty pleasure pop hits, making it the ultimate night out for those looking for a ’90s throwback.”^[2] Page Six’s Elizabeth Wagmeister said, “Run, don't walk! This show is so much fun, and the talent is unbelievably exceptional.” InStyle Magazine described the show as “Brilliant and Magical. It’s 110 minutes of pure ‘90s bliss. Top-notch performances by a supremely talented cast with stage chemistry that’s off the charts... This is one production that you do not want to miss.”^[3]

References