Schmigadoon! season 2 moves up a couple of decades to become Schmicago, with darker tunes and musical productions from the 1960s to the 1980s reflected. The cast is basically the same, but many actors have new parts in the new and magical world of Schmicago.
Josh (Keegan-Michael Key) and Melissa (Cecily Strong) are still themselves. They went back to their normal life after finding love in Schmigadoon. But a couple of years passed and it wore down the glow. They want to feel that joy again. They head back to where the magic happened, but instead find a different musical landscape. It’s darker and more depressed here. Nobody has a happy ending.
The Leprechaun (Martin Short) tells Josh and Melissa they can’t leave until they find a happy ending. But what does that mean? Do the two of them have to be happy, or does everyone have to be happy? The answers aren’t forthcoming.
The music is different, too. Now songs are reflective of Cabaret, Chicago, Pippin, Hair, Annie, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, A Chorus Line, Jesus Christ Superstar, Company, Oliver, Promises Promises, and Sweet Charity. Cinco Paul created and wrote much of the story as well as the original songs. I enjoyed this season’s music – jazzier and more modern.
It wasn’t just the music, however, the lighting, the costumes, the dances, and the characters reflected back on the musicals the series was honoring as well.
Like the encampment of hippies in the story, the characters here just want to be happy. But their dreams of fulfillment and happiness are stymied by the evil Octavius Kratt (Patrick Page), who owned just about everything including the Kratt Klub where many of the performances happen.
The familiar faces in their new parts are pictured in this slideshow.
I do love a musical, and this musical series on Apple TV+ brings back happy memories of many I’ve loved. It tells a unique story about love, happiness, magic, and reality.
Season 2 has 6 episodes. Alice Mathias directed 4 of them. The entire season is now available for streaming. Get ready to tap your toe and hum along.