The Devil Wears Prada at Dominion Theater

After our amazing dinner at Tattu, we rode the elevator downstairs and walked across the street to the Dominion Theater, where our musical - The Devil Wears Prada - was playing.  I had purchased tickets for the 19:30 showing. Outside, there were lots of girls all dressed up in expensive outfits, queuing up to enter the theater.

This wasn't my first choice of a musical (I would have preferred Hadestown), but Inna really wanted to see it. The musical was a close match to The Devil Wears Prada, starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway.

The plot is not very exciting:

Follow the life of a young, aspiring journalist who lands a demanding job working for a leading fashion magazine editor and must navigate the pressures, sacrifices, and moral compromises of the high-fashion world.

👠 The Devil Wears Prada — Act-by-Act Synopsis (with Musical Numbers)

Featuring “irresistible songs” (The Standard) by Elton John and a “terrific” (Time Out) performance from Vanessa Williams in the iconic role of Miranda Priestly, this musical based on the blockbuster film and bestselling novel is “a devil of a good time” (Daily Express).

Strutting alongside Vanessa are Stevie Doc (winner of ITV’s Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream and WhatsOnStage Award nominee for her performance as Sophie in Mamma Mia!), with Taila Halford (Shucked, School of Rock) as Miranda’s fiery and fashion-forward first assistant Emily, while Olivier Award-winner Matt Henry gives an “endearing and soulful” (Time Out) performance as Nigel.

With lyrics by Shaina Taub & Mark Sonnenblick, book by Lauren Weisberger & Kate Wetherhead and direction & choreography by three-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, Pretty Woman, Hairspray). Based on the Novel by Lauren Weisberger and the Twentieth Century Studios Motion Picture.

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ACT I

The show opens in New York City, introducing the dazzling, unforgiving world of high fashion.

• “House of Allure”
  The Runway fashion universe explodes onto the stage — models, editors, designers, and influencers worship style, image, and status.

Freshly graduated journalist Andy Sachs arrives, awkwardly dressed and clearly out of place.

• “I’m Not Like That”
  Andy insists she doesn’t care about fashion — this is “just a job” on the way to real journalism.

She soon meets the icy, impeccably dressed Miranda Priestly, editor-in-chief of Runway.

• “The Devil Wears Prada”
  Miranda enters with terrifying authority, establishing the rules of her world: perfection, obedience, and absolute control.

Andy’s first days are humiliating and overwhelming. Her co-assistant Emily lives for the job, while the fashion staff openly mock Andy.

• “Dress Your Way Up”
  The Runway team celebrates ambition and climbing the ladder — by any means necessary.

Andy receives unexpected guidance from Nigel, the magazine’s creative director.

• “You Can’t Be Serious”
  Nigel challenges Andy’s dismissive attitude, explaining that fashion is power, influence, and culture.

Andy commits to succeeding.

• Makeover Sequence
  Andy’s transformation is shown through a high-energy montage as she learns the language of fashion and begins meeting Miranda’s impossible standards.

By the end of Act I, Andy has changed — not just in appearance, but in confidence and ambition.

• “How to Survive the Job”
  Andy proves she belongs, thrilling the Runway staff while unsettling her friends and boyfriend Nate, who feels she’s losing herself.

Act I ends with Andy fully inside Miranda’s world — successful, admired, and dangerously tempted.

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ACT II

Andy’s success brings new privileges and moral compromises.

• “Paris Is Where It Happens”
  The fashion elite prepare for Paris Fashion Week, the ultimate prize in the industry.

Emily dreams of Paris, but Miranda chooses Andy instead — a ruthless decision that mirrors Miranda’s own survival tactics.

• “That Night”
  Andy and Nate confront the growing distance between them, exposing the cost of Andy’s ambition.

In Paris, Andy sees Miranda at her most powerful — and most vulnerable.

• “Loyalty”
  Miranda reveals the sacrifices she has made to stay on top, insisting that power always comes at a price.

Miranda betrays a longtime colleague to protect her position.

• “The Line”
  Andy realizes she has crossed an ethical boundary — she is becoming someone she doesn’t recognize.

Miranda senses Andy’s internal struggle.

• “What You Want”
  Miranda challenges Andy: success is a choice, not an accident — and walking away is a choice, too.

At her breaking point, Andy finally understands the future that awaits her if she stays.

• “Goodbye, Miranda”
  Andy quits Runway, rejecting power without purpose.

Though Miranda appears unmoved, her final moment suggests respect — Andy has done what few ever do.

• Finale: “I’m Not Like That (Reprise)”
  Andy steps forward into her own future, changed but grounded, having survived the fashion world without losing her soul.

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Themes & Tone

• Ambition vs. Integrity — what is success really worth?

• Power & Leadership — Miranda as a complex, not villainous, figure

• Identity & Self-Worth — defining success on your own terms

• Style & Spectacle — bold fashion sequences balanced with intimate character moments

The Devil Wears Prada Review

Highlights

• The staging, special effects, and models walking through the audience were great.
• Lots of Londoners came in all dressed up for the show

Lowlights

• The overall music was very loud (too loud). I should have worn my AirPods to reduce the volume.
• Even though the songs are written by Elton John, there weren't any memorable songs (or ones that I would ever want to listen to again)
• The plot is uninspiring
• The choreography was a bit wooden - it's not Chicago level.