The Osmonds: A New Musical – Liverpool Empire

Love them or loathe them, The Osmonds were a tour de force in the musical showground in the 1960’s and 1970’s and the brothers attracted massive adulation from female fans, particularly Donny; together the group lived an incredible life producing chart-topping albums, selling out huge arena concerts and creating record-breaking TV shows.

This production is based on Jay Osmond’s personal experiences charting the story of an extraordinary family and their rise to superstardom.

Alex Lodge as Jay acts as Narrator; he managed a heavy script containing facts and figures about the Osmond family detailing their highs and lows; he did it extremely well with exuberance and panache.

The Osmond brothers and sister, Marie were born in Utah, USA to parents George and Olive; brothers Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay initially started performing as youngsters as a barbershop quartet in the late 1950’s to raise money to buy hearing aids for their two older deaf brothers. 

Success came when they auditioned for Walt Disney and were then asked to appear on the Andy William’s TV show, gaining a regular spot which ultimately propelled the young brothers into stardom. Their career progressed and they were joined by brothers Donny and Jimmy and sister Marie with the family taking the UK by storm in the 1970’s.

They had a very strict upbringing, guided by their authoritarian, controlling father George, an ex-army sergeant who raised the family in severe militaristic style; the strong principals he instilled in them of faith, family and then career stood the family in good stead as they became global superstars.

The show started as brothers Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay burst onto the stage singing the opening number, ‘One Way Ticket to Anywhere’ and this set the scene for what was to come, a production full of enthusiasm and energy.  There was a real party feel from the audience who had come prepared with banners and pent-up excitement almost as though it was the real Osmonds on stage.

The story is told in flashbacks, with younger actors depicting life for the Osmonds as children. Much recognition and credit must go to the young actors who played the young Osmond brothers; all had beautiful singing voices and acted professionally and exceptionally artistically throughout the performance, especially the youngest of them playing young five-year-old, Donny.

The show has fifty years of music and events to include with thirty songs, some of which I must admit that I had never heard before; these were probably hits in USA in the early days for the group rather than being known in UK at the time, but all the old favourites are there, such as ‘Love Me For a Reason,’ ‘Let Me In’ and ‘I’m Leaving It All Up To You.’

Georgia Lennon as Marie was perfect in the role and sang ‘Paper Roses’ on equal par to the real Marie Osmond and looked very much like her in her younger days sporting a slick brunette bob.

There was a small cameo of younger brother, Little Jimmy Osmond who sang his infamous hit, ‘Long Haired Lover From Liverpool’ which got outstanding approval from the audience as did Joseph Peacock as Donny especially when he sang ‘Puppy Love.’

Alex Cardall as Andy Williams was excellent and brought back memories of the singer as he depicted his mannerisms, stance and speaking voice perfectly.

The whole cast and ensemble cannot be faulted, even if some vocals were not 100% at times, their enthusiasm and energy are exceptional and more than made up for it; the dancing ability and musical talent of all shines out throughout the show with the younger and older members playing musical instruments and singing and dancing and even tap dancing in one sequence. Perhaps the script was a little clichéd in parts and could maybe benefit from a few tweaks, I did find my mind wandering a little at times but there was an enormous amount of information to relay whilst at the same time keeping the audience entertained and informed.

The story contained the lows as well as the highs of Osmonds life and highlighted the family’s fall from grace detailing how eighty million dollars was lost whilst Alan and Merrill were in control of the family’s assets and bankruptcy was on the horizon. For twenty-seven years the family didn’t perform together but continued to entertain individually or as Donny and Marie on TV and on world tours, gradually accumulating the lost money, managing to pay back what they owed and once again sustaining a living.

The set was simple, with a large circle on the backdrop framing vertical stripes of rainbow colours; moving platforms with staircases were used which remained in situ throughout the production; these were sometimes moved by cast members with the additions of pieces of furniture such as chairs, sofas and a Christmas tree utilised during some scenes. Spotlights and additional lighting were used during significant scenes to recreate TV studios and filming sequences.

Hits, ‘Crazy Horses’ and ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’ were kept for the finale with the brothers sporting white, shiny one-piece jumpsuits with glittery neck scarves; they had the audience on their feet, singing, swaying with hands in the air and re-living their youth and adulation for the famous group who coined the term, Osmondmania was certainly back in Liverpool once again for this performance.

The show is a nostalgic trip down memory lane with most audience members re-living their youth and remembering the posters of the Osmonds they had pinned onto their bedroom walls as teenagers, probably of Donny more than the other members. The main attraction of the show has to be the songs which will bring back much-loved memories for those watching.

The show is directed by Shaun Kerrison and choreographed by Olivier award-winner, Bill Deamer with Guy James as Producer. Jay Osmond, who was the drummer in the band, has scripted the show.

The Osmonds: A New Musical is at The Liverpool Empire until Saturday 10th September 2022. https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-osmonds-a-new-musical/liverpool-empire/

Reviewer: Anne Pritchard

Reviewed: 7th September 2022

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★