How ‘Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion’ Became One of the Year’s Most Anticipated Musicals

It’s fitting that the first thing you see upon entering the rehearsal studio where Romy and Michele: The Musical has set up camp is a table overflowing with the characters’ diet food of choice: gummy bears, jelly beans, and candy corn.

“I know Laura and Kara were really starting to get into their parts when they said we should have candy at rehearsals,” says Robin Schiff, who wrote the 1997 film Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion as well as the book for the musical adaptation. The new show’s Romy and Michele—Laura Bell Bundy and Kara Lindsay, respectively—are in the middle of rehearsing the number “We’re Done,” a musical iteration of the climactic moment in the film when Romy tells off her bullies. Schiff and director Kristin Hanggi have locked in most of the show, but with openin