Review: “Head Over Heels” is the Queerest Show on Broadway

Down the street, straight white men may have an entire show, but here in Arcadia, it’s no straights allowed.

Imagine it: Sir Philip Sidney’s 16th century tale The Arcadia combined with the rock music of the 80s girl group, The Go-Go’s. Admittedly, it’s not a likely combination, but somehow Jeff Whitty thought of it and gave birth to “Head Over Heels,” which opened at the Hudson Theatre on Thursday. The production, directed by Michael Mayer, may be a period piece but it certainly isn’t stuffy or old fashioned in any way.

Our story concerns the King and Queen of Arcadia (Jeremy Kushnier and Rachel York), and their daughters Pamela (Bonnie Milligan) and Philoclea (Alexandra Socha). Things turn sour quickly as Pamela rejects her rich suitors, Philoclea wants to marry a shepherd (Andrew Durand), and the King is given a prophecy about the fall of kingdom, delivered by the oracle, Pythio (Peppermint, of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season 9 fame).

If you seem a bit overwhelmed, that’s natural. To this Renaissance plot add famous rock hits “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips are Sealed,” and “Heaven is a Place on Earth” (played by Broadway’s first-ever all female band). Then add 16th century costumes, flimsy cardboard sets, modern choreography, and a sexy, queer, scantily-clad ensemble.