You know that feeling when a movie is just so perfectly "of its time" that you can’t imagine it being anything else? That was the 1992 film Honeymoon in Vegas. It had Nicolas Cage at his peak franticness, James Caan being intimidatingly suave, and Sarah Jessica Parker right before she became a global icon. It was a cult classic. So, naturally, someone decided to turn the Honeymoon in Vegas play (well, musical, technically) into a Broadway spectacle.
It was a big risk. Vegas is already a caricature of itself. How do you make a stage version that doesn't just feel like a cheap Elvis impersonator act?
The answer was Jason Robert Brown.
If you follow theater, you know Brown is the guy who writes the music that makes actors sweat. He’s the genius behind The Last Five Years and Parade. He doesn't do "simple." He does intricate, jazz-infused, brass-heavy scores that demand your full attention. When he signed on to write the music and lyrics for the stage adaptation of the film, the project shifted from a "movie-to-stage" cash grab into a legitimate piece of musical theater history.
The Long, Odd Road to the Broadway Stage
It wasn't an overnight success. Far from it.
The Honeymoon in Vegas play had a developmental period that felt longer than a losing streak at the craps table. It actually premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey back in 2013. People loved it there. The critics were actually surprised. Ben Brantley of The New York Times—who isn't exactly known for being easy to please—gave it a rave review. He called it "a real-deal musical comedy."
But Broadway is a different beast.
Money is always the issue. It took over a year to move that production from the suburbs of Jersey to the Nederlander Theatre in Manhattan. By the time it opened in early 2015, the buzz had cooled slightly, but the talent was undeniable. You had Rob McClure playing Jack Singer (the Cage role). Rob is one of those performers who has "kinetic energy" practically leaking out of his pores. He’s frantic, he’s funny, and he can actually sing the high notes while running around the stage.
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Then there was Tony Danza.
Yes, that Tony Danza. He played Tommy Korman, the high-rolling gambler who wants to steal Jack's fiancée, Betsy. Honestly? He was perfect. He brought this old-school, Rat Pack charm that you just can't fake. He didn't try to out-sing the Broadway pros; he just owned the room.
What Made This Adaptation Different?
Most movie-to-musical adaptations fail because they try to copy the film frame-for-frame.
The Honeymoon in Vegas play didn't do that. It leaned into the absurdity. The plot remains the same: Jack Singer is terrified of marriage because of a "curse" placed on him by his dying mother (played with hilarious, nagging intensity by Nancy Opel). He finally works up the courage to take Betsy to Vegas to elope. While there, he gets lured into a high-stakes poker game by Tommy Korman, loses $58,000 he doesn't have, and "loans" his fiancée to the gambler for the weekend to settle the debt.
It’s a premise that hasn't aged perfectly—let’s be real, the "trading a woman" trope is a bit cringe by modern standards—but the musical plays it as a heightened, screwball comedy.
The Flying Elvises and the "Higher Love"
One of the most iconic moments in the film is the skydiving Elvis Presley impersonators. You’d think that would be impossible to do on a stage in the middle of New York City.
They did it.
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They used wires, clever lighting, and a whole lot of glitter. It was ridiculous. It was loud. It was exactly what Vegas should feel like. The song "Higher Love" (not the Steve Winwood one!) became this soaring, hilarious anthem for the finale.
The score is really where the show shines. Jason Robert Brown wrote songs like "I Love Betsy" that are masterclasses in character development. In about three minutes, you know exactly who Jack is: he’s a guy who loves New York, loves his girl, and is absolutely terrified of messing it up.
Why It Didn't Last Forever
If the reviews were so good, why did it close after only 144 performances?
It’s a tough question. Sometimes, great shows just get lost in the shuffle. 2015 was a competitive year. Hamilton was just starting to loom over the theater world. Fun Home was the critical darling. Honeymoon in Vegas was a "traditional" musical in a year where people wanted something revolutionary.
Also, the title.
People hear "Honeymoon in Vegas" and they think of a cheesy lounge act. They don't necessarily think of high-art musical theater. Even though the Honeymoon in Vegas play had some of the smartest writing on Broadway at the time, the branding made it feel like a tourist trap. It’s a shame, because the orchestration was massive. We’re talking a big, 18-piece band. You don't see that on Broadway much anymore. Producers usually cut the orchestra down to save money, but Brown insisted on that big, brassy sound.
The Legacy of the Show Today
Even though it’s no longer on Broadway, the show lives on in regional theaters and international productions.
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It went to London’s West End for a concert version. It’s a favorite for high-end community theaters because it’s a "star vehicle." You need a great Jack, a charming Tommy, and a Betsy who can hold her own.
The Honeymoon in Vegas play serves as a reminder that musical comedy doesn't have to be "dumbed down." You can have a silly plot about a guy losing his girlfriend in a card game and still have music that is technically proficient and emotionally resonant.
Misconceptions about the Script
A lot of people think the musical is just a transcript of the movie. It’s not. Andrew Bergman, who wrote and directed the original film, actually wrote the "book" (the script) for the musical too.
He was able to fix things he didn't like about the movie. He deepened the relationship between Jack and Betsy. He made Tommy Korman more sympathetic—a man who is genuinely lonely and sees a resemblance between Betsy and his late wife. This nuance makes the conflict more than just "good guy vs. bad guy." It’s "desperate guy vs. lonely guy."
Practical Takeaways for Fans of the Show
If you’re looking to experience this story now, you have a few options.
- Listen to the Cast Recording: The Broadway cast album is phenomenal. Listen to "When You Say Vegas" or "A Little Luck." You can hear the richness of the 18-piece band. It’s some of Rob McClure’s best work.
- Check Regional Licensing: If you’re a performer or a director, the show is licensed through Music Theatre International (MTI). It’s a "beast" of a show to put on because of the set requirements and the orchestra, but it’s a crowd-pleaser.
- Watch the 1992 Film First: To truly appreciate the "meta" jokes in the musical, watch the Nicolas Cage movie. Seeing how they translated the "Flying Elvises" to the stage is half the fun.
The Honeymoon in Vegas play might have been a short-lived Broadway experiment, but it remains a high point for fans of traditional musical comedy. It didn't try to reinvent the wheel; it just tried to make the wheel spin faster and glow with neon lights.
Honestly, in a world where everything feels so serious, a show about a guy jumping out of a plane in a jumpsuit just to say "I'm sorry" to his girlfriend is exactly what we need. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the biggest gamble is just showing up.
Next Steps for Theater Lovers
To get the most out of your "Vegas" experience, start by comparing the two versions of the story.
- Stream the movie on a platform like Vudu or Amazon to get the 90s vibes down.
- Download the Broadway soundtrack on Spotify or Apple Music. Pay close attention to the lyrics in "I Love Betsy"—it’s a perfect example of how to write "patter" lyrics that tell a story.
- Search for "Honeymoon in Vegas Musical" on YouTube to find clips of the Paper Mill Playhouse or Broadway performances. Seeing the "Flying Elvis" choreography is essential to understanding why this show was a technical marvel.
If you're ever in Las Vegas itself, visit the Westgate or the Caesars Palace poker rooms. You’ll see exactly the kind of atmosphere the show was trying to capture—the high stakes, the desperation, and that weird, glittering hope that the next hand might change everything.