maybe ally...sees Floyd Collins.
Okay, so let me start by saying: Floyd Collins was not at all what I expected. And honestly? I think that’s the point.
I saw it on a cold spring night — the kind of night where New York City feels exceptionally cinematic and moody — and I went in knowing very little besides the fact that “Jeremy Jordan is in it” (which, let’s be real, was undoubtedly more than enough to entice me to make the trip). But what I experienced was something far more haunting, intimate, and emotionally layered than I could have ever imagined.
The Story
Floyd Collins is based on a true story from 1925 about a man who tragically gets trapped in a cave in Kentucky. While it sounds simple on paper, the way the show unfolds is surprisingly deep and unsettling, revealing layers of complexity and emotion. It’s not merely about Floyd being trapped — it delves into how the world reacts to such profound tragedy. It explores how the media sensationalizes pain and suffering in pursuit of a story. It examines how communities come together in solidarity, yet can also fall apart under the weight of grief. Additionally, it portrays how time stretches and feels endless when you’re waiting for something-or or someone to be saved. There’s no big Broadway sparkle here. Instead, it’s raw and poignant. It’s quiet and thought-provoking. And it ultimately makes you sit with your thoughts in a way I wasn’t expecting at all.
The Music
Let’s talk about the music because, whew, it truly deserves a moment of our attention. This isn’t your typical musical theater score that one might expect. It leans heavily into folk and bluegrass — very much rooted in the Appalachian tradition — with intricate harmonies and almost hypnotic melodies that linger long after the notes have faded. Some of the songs feel more like expansive soundscapes than conventional showtunes. You find that you're not walking out humming the big finale; instead, you’re holding onto a profound feeling that the music gifted you, nestled deep within your chest. And in the middle of all that sound and eerie stillness is the incredibly talented Jeremy Jordan.
Jeremy Jordan, Being Jeremy Jordan
Listen closely. I always knew he possessed the ability to sing beautifully. We all recognize that he can sing, without a doubt. But in the production of Floyd Collins, he brings forth something entirely different and remarkable. He’s not only vulnerable; he’s genuinely grounded in his performance. He spends most of the show confined within a tiny, intimate space on stage, physically limited — and yet somehow manages to fill the entire theater with an incredible sense of presence. His voice is haunting in the best possible way. There’s this one unforgettable moment (no spoilers here, but you’ll know when it hits) where his exquisite vocals echo throughout the space, creating an atmosphere where it feels as if time itself has come to a standstill. I experienced chills. Real, spine-tingling ones. And as if that weren’t enough? The man is belting out wild, emotional notes while upside down, completely buried in a cave set, and still manages to make me tear up. Who can do that?!
Final Thoughts
If you go into this expecting the usual Broadway glitz, you might be thrown off. But if you’re open to something a little offbeat—something more like a poetic meditation on fear, hope, and the weird mess of being human—then Floyd Collins might surprise you in the best way.
It’s not flashy. It’s not loud. It’s honest. And in a city that’s always moving a mile a minute, that kind of stillness on stage felt revolutionary.
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Okay, so let me start by saying: Floyd Collins was not at all what I expected. And honestly? I think that’s the point.
I saw it on a cold spring night — the kind of night where New York City feels exceptionally cinematic and moody — and I went in knowing very little besides the fact that “Jeremy Jordan is in it” (which, let’s be real, was undoubtedly more than enough to entice me to make the trip). But what I experienced was something far more haunting, intimate, and emotionally layered than I could have ever imagined.