Times may be hard, but there is still joy to be found, even after a long week. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a moment of emotional release. Welcome to Playbill's Feel Good Friday feature.
The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years Eve can feel liminal, but for those of you attending any holiday parties this month, we have an... unorthodox recommendation for your playlist.
Composer-performer Jacob Ryan Smith, most recently seen Off-Broadway in Relapse and Lizard Boy, released a mashup of Troye Sivan's infectious dance-pop hit "Rush" with "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" from the 2023 Broadway revival's cast recording, and the result is nothing less than glorious.
Just listen for yourself in the video below:
@thesongsmith We all deserve to die. @Josh Groban @Troye Sivan #broadway #sweeneytodd #rush #troyesivan #fy #fyp #dj #musicaltheatre #sondheim #bfa #mashup ♬ original sound - Jacob Ryan Smith
In addition to his social media exploits, Smith is currently collaborating with Daniel Mertzlufft on the musical Grumpy Monkey, set to premiere at the Pasadena Playhouse next year. Based on the New York Times bestselling picture book, the musical is geared towards young audiences between the ages of 4 and 8.
Smith's other musicals include Like Father, Mr. Sipple, Like Dying Things Do, and Midnight Channel: The Musical. Recently, he collaborated with Dear Evan Hansen's Andrew Barth Feldman and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series star Joe Serafini to produce the song "In My Head" for Spotify.
Have a great weekend, and check back next Friday for another feel good feature.
Feel Good Friday: Throwback Photos From the Cast of How To Dance In Ohio
