Staged Concert at the savoy Theater with Kerry Ellis

On February 10th, I had the chance to attend the first of two exclusive UK premiere performances of If/Then at the Savoy Theatre, starring the incredible Kerry Ellis. This limited-run staged concert brought the Broadway musical to London in a truly unforgettable way.

A Story of Choices and Fate

If/Then follows Elizabeth, a woman who moves back to New York after her divorce, eager to start fresh. Her friend Kate encourages her to embrace a spontaneous side and go by “Liz,” attending a concert. Meanwhile, her longtime friend Lucas suggests she go by “Beth” and join him at a protest. This single decision branches into two parallel timelines, and the audience follows both versions of Elizabeth as her life unfolds in different ways. Through these intertwining narratives, If/Then explores how small choices can shape our futures and how everything is connected.

Created by the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning duo Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal), If/Then features a compelling score and thought-provoking storytelling. The concert was directed by award-winning West End director Bill Buckhurst, with musical staging by Olivier Award nominee Alistair David and music direction by Michael England.

Review

Going into the performance, I knew little about If/Then beyond the fact that Idina Menzel originated the role of Elizabeth on Broadway and that I had previously heard “Always Starting Over.” However, the story kept surprising me with its mix of humor, emotion, and unexpected twists.

The transitions between Liz and Beth were made through costume changes, making it clear which version of Elizabeth we were following. That said, at times, I personally found myself pausing to recall which events belonged to which timeline – though that might have been the fault of my bad memory!

Kerry Ellis Shines as Elizabeth

Kerry Ellis delivered a powerhouse performance, captivating the audience with her emotional depth and stunning vocals. Her rendition of “Always Starting Over” was a true showstopper, earning her a well-deserved standing ovation and what felt like a three-minute round of applause.

The rest of the cast was equally outstanding, bringing warmth and authenticity to their roles. The chemistry between the performers made the story even more engaging, and their collective talent elevated this staged concert to something truly special.

Final Thoughts

This was a beautifully crafted production, full of heart and passion. For anyone who missed the first performance, I highly recommend catching the second and final show on February 17th. The love and effort poured into this limited event were evident in every moment, making it a must-see experience.

Cast

• Elizabeth – Kerry Ellis
• Josh – Adam Garcia
• Lucas – David Hunter
• Kate – Preeya Kalidas
• Stephen – John Owen-Jones
• Elena – Joni Ayton-Kent
• Anne – Jenny Fitzpatrick
• David – Carl Man
• Ensemble – Danny Becker
• Ensemble – Lauren Hall
• Ensemble – M-Jae Cleopatra Isaac
• Ensemble – Christian Maynard
• Ensemble – Sario Solomon
• Ensemble – Kayleigh Thadani

Use the last chance of seeing it on the 17th February with a with BSL interpretation for Accessibility. You don’t want to miss this so buy your tickets here!