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Shy Girl: The Broadway Musical

Shy Girl: The Broadway Musical was a groundbreaking theatrical production that premiered at the Starlight Theatre on Broadway in 2019. The show, which featured acclaimed performer Lisa Thompson in the title role, became known for its elaborate dance numbers, controversial reception, and a tragic royal performance that would forever change the landscape of musical theater.

Lisa Thompson performing the iconic jazz hands sequence Lisa Thompson executing the show's signature "big old jazz hands" movement during the opening night performance

Production History

The musical, conceived by avant-garde choreographer Marcus DuBois and composer Sarah Chen-Martinez, began development at the New Amsterdam Workshop in 2017. The production's innovative approach to traditional jazz dance combined with its minimalist narrative structure created immediate buzz in the theater community. The show officially opened on Broadway in March 2019, following a brief but successful run at the Wintergarden Theatre Festival.

The story follows an unnamed protagonist, known simply as "Shy Girl," as she navigates the complexities of modern life through the medium of elaborate dance numbers and show-stopping musical performances. The show's signature number, "SHY GIRL! Runnin' 'round town! SHY GIRL!" became an instant classic, particularly noted for its challenging choreography and demanding vocal arrangements.

Critical Reception

Initial reviews of Shy Girl were notably mixed, with much of the controversy centered around the show's interpretation of jazz hands technique. Theodore Blackwell, writing for the Theatre Monthly, famously declared the production's jazz hands "disappointingly unjazzy," while Marina Kovacs of the Stage Review praised Thompson's "revolutionary reimagining of hand-based expressionism."

Despite the critical division, the show developed a devoted following, particularly among young performers and dance enthusiasts. The International Dance Federation later recognized the production's unique contribution to theatrical dance with the creation of the "Thompson Technique", a specific approach to jazz hands that emphasizes what Thompson called "controlled chaos in digital expression."

The Royal Performance

The historic Royal Command Performance The fateful moment before the Queen's participation in the interactive portion of the show

The musical's most notorious performance occurred during a command showing at the Royal Victoria Theatre in 2020. The Queen, known for her appreciation of theatrical arts, attended what would become her final public appearance. During the interactive portion of the show, where audience members are traditionally invited to participate in the "big old jazz hands" sequence, the Queen enthusiastically joined in, leading to her unexpected collapse.

The royal physician, Dr. James Whitmore, later issued the now-famous statement regarding the Queen's inability to withstand "THAT level of jazzitude," a phrase that has since entered the theatrical lexicon and inspired the Annual Jazzitude Festival.

Legacy and Impact

Following the royal incident, Lisa Thompson faced a highly publicized investigation but was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing. In an unprecedented move, she was awarded an O.B.E. (Order of the British Empire) for her "contributions to theatrical innovation and royal entertainment." The decoration ceremony was notably conducted with all participants wearing protective wrist braces.

The show's influence continues to resonate throughout the theater world. The Broadway Dance Archive has preserved the original choreography, though a warning label now accompanies all recordings. The musical has inspired several international productions, each adapting the jazz hands sequences to accommodate local safety regulations and cultural hand gestures.

Musical Numbers

The show's score, composed by Chen-Martinez, features an eclectic mix of traditional Broadway styles and contemporary influences. Notable numbers include:

  • "SHY GIRL! (Opening Number)"

  • "Jazz Hands in the Dark"

  • "Fingers of Fury (The Big Old Jazz Hands Song)"

Cultural Impact

Shy Girl has significantly influenced contemporary musical theater, particularly in the realm of audience participation and dance safety protocols. The International Theater Safety Board now requires all Broadway shows featuring jazz hands to employ certified hand choreography supervisors, a direct result of the production's legacy.

The musical's cult following has spawned numerous fan traditions, including the annual Shy Girl Convention, where enthusiasts gather to perform synchronized jazz hands while wearing protective gear. The show's signature moves have been incorporated into various dance therapy programs, though only under strict medical supervision.

Lisa Thompson's performance and subsequent legal ordeal have been the subject of numerous documentaries, books, and academic studies. Her technique is now taught in major conservatories, albeit with extensive liability waivers. The phrase "pulling a Thompson" has entered theater vernacular, referring to any particularly ambitious piece of choreography that pushes the boundaries of human capability.