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| Photo by Julietta Cerventes |
NEW MUSICAL BEGINS PERFORMANCES
WITH AN UNLIT MARQUEE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MODERN HISTORY
AS SHIPMENT OF SPECIALTY LIGHTBULBS
DELAYED DUE TO NEW TARIFF POLICIES
BUT, DARKENED MARQUEE DIDN’T DIM EXCITEMENT FOR THE FIRST PREVIEW
OF 2024 OLIVIER AWARD®-WINNING
“OPERATION MINCEMEAT”
Broadway welcomed a new sensation Saturday night as Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical made its highly anticipated debut at the John Golden Theatre. The winner of London’s 2024 Olivier Award for Best New Musical played its first preview to a packed house, receiving a five-minute standing ovation and a rousing reception from fans who serenaded the cast outside the theater with the show’s signature anthem, Sail On, Boys.
But while the performance was undeniably a triumph, the theater’s marquee remained dark, an unusual sight in the bright heart of Times Square. The reason? A hold on specialty lightbulbs at customs—thanks to President Donald Trump’s latest trade policies.
A Marquee Caught in a Trade War
According to the Associated Press, the necessary bulbs—Satco Decorative 11W LED Ceramic Yellow Indicator bulbs—are primarily sourced from China, and the shipment has been delayed due to recently enacted tariffs. The unexpected setback meant that, for opening night, Broadway’s newest hit had to shine without its neon glow.
Still, the marquee issue didn’t dampen the enthusiasm inside the Golden Theatre. Fans traveled from around the world to see Operation Mincemeat’s Broadway bow, and the energy was electric.
A Spy Caper Like No Other
For those unfamiliar, Operation Mincemeat tells the wildly improbable, true story of a covert British intelligence mission during World War II. It’s 1943, and the Allies are struggling to gain an advantage. Their solution? Plant false invasion plans on a stolen corpse and let the enemy take the bait.
The musical blends thriller, farce, and a touch of Ian Fleming-style espionage—with Fleming himself even making an appearance. The show’s mix of dark comedy, historical drama, and an electrifying score has drawn comparisons to the legendary Beyond the Fringe troupe, which took a similar path from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to the Golden Theatre in the 1960s.
A Cast Ready for Broadway
The show’s original West End stars reprise their acclaimed roles on Broadway, including:
- David Cumming
- Claire-Marie Hall
- Natasha Hodgson
- Olivier Award-winner Jak Malone
- Zoë Roberts
Joining them are Brandon Contreras, Sam Hartley, Jessi Kirtley, Gerianne Pérez, and Amanda Jill Robinson as understudies.
Directed by Robert Hastie, the Broadway run follows three sold-out years in London’s West End, where the show has been extended twelve times and continues to pack houses.
A Smash Hit That Almost Didn’t Happen
Written and composed by British comedy troupe SpitLip (David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts), Operation Mincemeat was originally an eight-week experiment at London’s New Diorama Theatre. The show quickly gained a cult following, leading to a series of sold-out transfers before landing at the Fortune Theatre in May 2023.
Since then, it has become:
✔ The most reviewed show in West End history (74 five-star reviews and counting)
✔ Winner of the 2024 Olivier Award for Best New Musical
✔ Winner of the WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Musical
✔ A viral sensation with one of London’s most passionate fanbases, the “Mincefluencers”
A Broadway Run in High Demand
Originally slated for a limited eight-week run, the show’s West End production has been extended repeatedly and is now booking through June 2025, with group tickets available until 2026. A Broadway extension seems all but inevitable.
Tickets for Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical are available now at Telecharge.com or by calling 212-239-6200.
For more information, visit operationbroadway.com.
Broadway’s Brightest New Show—Even Without the Lights
Despite the unexpected trade war hiccup, Operation Mincemeat has already cemented itself as one of the biggest theatrical events of the season. The marquee may be dark for now, but inside the theater, there’s no doubt—this show is shining bright.
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