What I liked
The musical understands that romance novels aren’t just escapism, they are spaces where readers can safely explore longing, empowerment, and imagination. That balance gives the show a warmth that elevates it beyond simple spoof.
The cast is uniformly excellent, fully committed to the heightened world and ridiculous stakes. Katie Lee is a standout as the soccer-mom book club member whose sexual openness and comic timing earned much of the biggest laughs, alongside lead hunk Tristan Turner, who leans into the billionaire-playboy-botanist-astronaut romantic lead trope with physical comedy, charm, and a phenomenal voice. Composer, lyricist and librettist Stephanie Bentley shines as the heroine, effortlessly carrying the audience through increasingly absurd romantic adventures.
The show already feels remarkably polished. The score is catchy, the performances and choreography are sharp, and the concept is crystal clear. More importantly, it feels like a production with a life far beyond Fringe. Lustily Ever After has the infectious energy of a future cult hit, the kind of show that could thrive in an Off-Broadway house, attract devoted repeat audiences, and become the centerpiece of countless girls’ nights out.
What I didn't like
Will be excited for some of the leads to have microphones in the lower register songs!
My overall impression
Lustily Ever After is exactly the kind of joyful, unapologetic theater that the Fringe exists to champion. A sex-positive parody musical inspired by romance novels and powered by a soundtrack steeped in 90s pop nostalgia, the show dives headfirst into bodice-ripping fantasy and emerges as one of the most entertaining new musicals of the festival.
Rather than simply mocking the romance genre, Lustily Ever After lovingly embraces its tropes (brooding heroes, surprises, impossibly sculpted torsos) while examining them through a satirical yet affectionate lens. The result is a show that is bold, self-aware, and delightfully campy.
