Beneath the glittering lights of London's Menier Chocolate Factory, Tony, Emmy, and Grammy award-winning actor Ben Platt is wowing audiences with his star-turn in 'Midnight at the Never Get', a poignant cabaret-musical that tugs at the heartstrings like a perfectly pitched guitar string. Platt, known for his unforgettable roles in 'Dear Evan Hansen' and 'The Last Five Years', brings depth and nuance to Mark Sonnenblick's powerful narrative, which follows two gay musicians as they navigate love, loss, and the struggle for acceptance in 1960s New York.
The intimate cabaret setting, designed by Scott Pask with a deft touch, perfectly captures the nostalgia of a bygone era. Platt shines as Trevor Copeland, a bar-singer whose poignant recollections of his relationship with songwriter Arthur Brightman, played by Gregor Milne, are brought vividly to life through Sonnenblick's timeless American Songbook-style compositions.
The music is the heart and soul of 'Midnight at the Never Get', with its soaring ballads and swinging jazz numbers tracing the arc of Trevor and Arthur's relationship with a precision that's both beautiful and heartbreaking. As they pour their hearts out through song, we're drawn into a world of passion, politics, and prejudice – a world where music is not just a source of joy, but also a means of protest.
But 'Midnight at the Never Get' is more than just a nostalgic trip back to an era of change; it's a deeply human exploration of what it means to love in the face of adversity. Director David Cromer masterfully weaves together moments of joy and sorrow, using music as both a source of comfort and a reminder of the transience of life. The result is a show that's at once a eulogy for a lost era and a testament to the enduring power of love.
With 'Midnight at the Never Get', Ben Platt has found his perfect pitch – a performance that will leave you breathless, moved, and perhaps even a little bit changed. Don't miss this unforgettable evening of music, passion, and heartbreak at London's Menier Chocolate Factory.