A limited number of theatergoers were lucky enough to have seen one of three performances of the World premiere musical It's Never Too Late, which ended its brief but successful run at New Jersey's Kelsey Theater this past weekend.
While it is too late to see this tuner, one can only hope that it will find additional stagings beyond this one, as it will be ideal for budget conscious regional theaters around the country seeking new works and crowd pleasing material.
Theater To Go's Ruth Markoe directs this comedy-drama about couples sharing intimate details that only life-long friends can reveal- along with inside jokes and secrets that might toss them all off course. From the top of the two- act show, It's simple to pass judgment on these characters. Yet as Lou DiPietro's book progresses, we realize that we share their same propensities for flawed judgement and for complicating our romantic relationships. Sometimes however, we attempt to course correct and make amends to those who need to hear them.
DiPietro's book merely scratches the surface and would benefit from some additional character development. Nonetheless, many will find themselves reflected in certain moments of the tale.
Composer, Orchestrator, and Conductor Louis Josephson, a young Julliard graduate, has written a delightful and infectious score that evokes the retro-eighties and early nineties sound of hit-makers Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire. Still, Josephson is not afraid to write a melody (something sorely lacking in most contemporary musical theater) and manages to find his own unique, wholly original sound. As he gains steam in his career, perhaps he can convince producers and creative teams that Overtures and Entr'actes are cherished components to the great musicals we've come to revere. It's Never To Late incorporates both.
Ultimately, It’s Never Too Late is a flawed but pleasant exploration of human connection. Despite its brief run in New Jersey, the piece proves that there is still a hunger for original stories with old-fashioned musical hearts. It isn't just a nostalgic throwback but rather a hopeful sign that the future of musical theater still values hummable tunes and a relatable story.
It’s Never Too Late ran April 4-12 2026 at Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College. For more information about Kelsey Theatre's programming, click here: kelsey.mccc.edu.
For more information about Theater To Go, click here.: murdermyst.com
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