REVIEW: Luigi the Musical, Bits Productions, EdFringe 2025 ★★

This is possibly the hardest review I have ever had write, because the experience I had watching this show was, in short, absurd.

Luigi the Musical follows Luigi Mangione, the American man accused of killing Brian Thompson, the CEO of United Healthcare, and his experience in prison alongside Sam Bankman-Fried, a disgraced crypto mogul, P Diddy, alleged Pedophile, and a guard at the jail who is secretly on Luigi’s side.

The show opened with flashing lights, sirens and an intimidating voice over, before immediately switching into a light hearted piano jingle for the opening song. singing in an upbeat tone about how the cheapest room in NYC is a prison cell. The tone is bizzare and confusing.

There are tasteless jokes that are made throughout. While the intention of these jokes by the creatives is satire, this does not always come through. That being said, me and my friends were crying with laughter at everything except the jokes.

Technically, this show was a nightmare. For full disclosure I was there on the first night, however it’s important to stress that the back row of the theatre was being waterboarded by the haze machine, and the front row of the theatre had no idea there was haze at all. Actors fumbled throughout, with multiple occasions where the actors were visibly reading their lines off of props or just making noises to the tune of the songs. There was an inexplicable blackout, after which the actors came on stage to take 5 minutes to put on their tap shoes instead of doing it off stage, the list could go on.

If these were an intentional choice, it would be the greatest thing ever, akin to Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace. But there’s a clear sincere effort that’s gone into this production, that makes me doubt that it was intentional.

It’s terrible, but in a The Room sort of way. I cannot exactly express to you what it’s like to watch this show.

Recommended Drink: Pair this with a Cîroc Vodka, straight.

Performances of Luigi the Musical have now concluded at EdFringe 2025.