Broadway Musical Logos: 2025-2026 Season (So Far) - The New Musicals

As I mentioned last week, I've been asked a lot this season, "why haven't you been reviewing show logos this year, Jeff?" Well, to be honest, it's because I am pretty disappointed in them so far. But, due to popular demand, I will provide my two-cents on each after all. The two new musicals of the season to date, one an abject flop, the other an acclaimed but modest hit, are, like those of the season's first two revivals, less than inspiring. I miss logos that are logos, not just a choice of font and a couple of cast photos, put together like an AI prompt and nothing more. I miss real show art.

Broadway Musical Logos: 2025-2026 Season

The New Musicals

The Queen of Versailles

 Well, I guess one can't argue that this logo sold a lot of tickets. It sure is pink. I suppose that producers thought including a photo of the star was a good idea. And maybe it was, until that star made some unfortunate comments on social media. But the dog is cute and the jumbo soda is something else to look at. At least the background photo hints at the story - a mansion under construction. Unless you know that The Queen of Versailles refers to a documentary about Jackie Siegel (and that you know who she is) there's not much else to go on about what you are seeing. Even the tagline, "The American Dream At Any Cost," isn't nearly as clever as it thinks it is. When the most creative thing about it is that the title "Queen" is in royal-ish cursive and the "Versailles" has a crack in it, you know it isn't good.

Grade: D

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Given the crazy title - which is both cute and a ponderous - it's kinda fun that the logo is so literal. Even including pictures of the stars is a clever choice. Heck, unless you are a real Broadway fan, they are literal strangers, too! But they are good-looking and have a fair amount of chemistry. With any luck and any sense of justice, these two will not be strangers for long - they are sensational, and even if this logo doesn't make you want to run out and buy tickets, maybe my word will: this is a funny, tuneful and sweet little show!

Grade: C-

 

Since I wrote this, the advertising has started touting it's stars with scenes from the show itself, revealing even more of the chemistry between Sam Tutty and Christiani Pitts, not to mention its status as an New York Times Critic's Pick. I think this is a good evolution for their show art. (B-)