Dead Serious - The Musical

See it if If you want a show about a medium that deals with issues growing up.

Don't see it if If you like camp and shows that need polish and be tightened up.

See it if you would enjoy seeing a medium's biography portrayed by himself, on video, by a youngster & with a talented group performing related info.

Don't see it if you expect a serious medium/psychic performance though there is a segment in which he engages with the audience. Some rough edges.

See it if You like psychics, you are interested in biographical stories or you like funny little dongs about life experiences.

Don't see it if You dislike new age themes, you are sensitive to child abuse stories, or you prefer larger productions.

See it if You're interested in the story of a psychic medium and how he came into his own successes by overcoming many challenges.

Don't see it if You want to see a regular play that tells a story in a more traditional way.

See it if you are in the mood for an entertaining cabaret act with a drag queen Greek chorus (the voices are quite good)

Don't see it if you want a fully developed play

See it if you enjoy the psychic talent of Thom John;don't mind a show w/20% excellent psychic performance & 80% gay/drag musical

Don't see it if you're offended by profanity, don't enjoy hearing about the abusive life story of a gay psychic

Also The good (20-30 minutes of psychic connection with those in the after-life and enjoyable video accompaniment to John describing his unhappy early years) was excellent. The poor (the rest of the show-drag queen, gay angel musical revue was unnecessary. I went expecting more of what T John is famous for - his psychic ability of contacting deceased relatives in the after life. He did an excellent job of this in the 1st third of the show. Then it went back to a drag show and John never returned to where he left off. TJ, stick to what you do best. You're a great medium, but a mediocre actor. This should have been divided into 2 separate shows, so "never the twain shall meet."... Read more Read less

See it if You like hearing about life beyond the grave. His skills as a medium was impressive.

Don't see it if If you want to see a traditional musical. Entertaining, but i would rather have seen more medium, less singing

See it if Psychic was very accurate and interesting.

Don't see it if Disappointing and disorganized with very poor audio visuals.

See it if U must see every show that deals with paranormal experiences, abusive childhoods, coming out, justifications for criminality soaked in camp

Don't see it if U want serious exploration of any of the above topics, instead of pathetic unprofessional presentation by someone who claims unique talents.

Also I do tend towards acceptance of psychic phenomena, reincarnation ,and the presence of other dimensions, but this show was so unconvincing that I left more skeptical than when I arrived. The "readings" were truncated and lacked authenticity, the chorus boys were mediocre, the musical material mostly juvenile, the production unformed. John may have some unique abilities, but this production is a sham and possibly a scam.... Read more Read less

See it if For adorable side show of young talented guy dancers & singers..No good reason to see this.

Don't see it if For time with a seemingly Talented Psychic--show barely scratches surface on his abilities.

See it if you want to see a talented psychic connect with your deceased loved ones; you're up for a multi-media show: bio-pic + cabaret + drag act

Don't see it if you expect a traditional play (vs a mixed bag); you want a polished presentation; you hate when shows begin 22 mins late & play filler music

Also The psychic portion of his presentation is SHORT. While it establishes Thomas John's credibility as a medium, "Dead Serious" spends more time on his pre-recorded biography (including when his abusive Dad was sent to prison) and an all-male cabaret routine.

While the "dancing boys" are entertaining, there's one routine where the fellows are dressed as angels; throughout their song, Thomas John keeps repeating (tonelessly), "I'm not an angel." Who thought this was a good idea?

On July 17th, the performance began 22 mins late. We watched Queen perform onscreen for awhile, then a hefty drag queen came out and sang off-key.

This odd prelude is one more element that ought to be re-thought as he polishes his act.

The channeling of dead relatives held my interest -- though he seemed to focus on only 4 -5 attendees.

His biography is sad & painful.

Hope he gets his act together.... Read more Read less

See it if You believe in psychics. You like musical numbers performed by a deliberately flamboyant chorus.

Don't see it if You must sit through thirty minutes of YouTube Freddie Mercury and Queen followed by a singing drag queen and a group playing People Are

Also Strange before you get to see the guy you came for, Thomas John. John has zero stage presence but he does have pictures of his criminally abusive father and his sad childhood. The slide presentation is thankfully interrupted by some clever songs questioning his authenticity so as to show he’s the real thing. John does do some brief readings but this is not a structured or well-directed show. Onstage therapy is just self-indulgence. The inclusion of a much younger actor playing young Thomas is itself a form of abuse. Bad idea badly executed.... Read more Read less

See it if Psychic and medium tells the story of his life mixed with good songs and funny dances, performed by five talented actors.

Don't see it if Think that all mediums are liars, prefer show with the plot

Also Messages from the dead relatives to some of the audience members

See it if You are interested about a biographical musical of a spiritual medium. Amazing performance about connecting w. the deads related to audience

Don't see it if You are not a believer of spiritual world. Or if you can't stand the drag acts

See it if The gay chorus is very good. Thomas John is good, but the focus is a mess. Is it a musical, psychic readings? autobiographical?

Don't see it if It's all of the above and some of the above. Saw it 7/17. Show was at 8pm. House opened at 8:05pm. Show started at 8:20pm with no apology.

Also There were no programs. The staff person seating us didn't know the house.so seating took forever. I sat in C7. Seat C11 broke when a man sat down in it. I was invited to sit in the middle section. Sat in the front row. Then told I couldn't sit there. Ended up sitting in the 2nd row. No big deal; just chaotic.
Show starts with Thomas John in drag singing. He looked great in drag, but ..
Chorus was very talented. But the lack of focus was making me dizzy. Thomas John only did about 10 to 15 minutes of readings, then it was his life story, which was hard, then it was singing and dancing and finally it was over.
Wish I'd gotten a program so I knew I saw a musical! Thomas John needs to decide what's the most important theme and go with it. Put the other stuff in a sequel.... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in psychic mediums

Don't see it if You want to see a serious show or are not interested in psychic mediums

See it if you believe in an afterlife and that psychic mediums can communicate with the dead. Definitely a work in progress so patience is a must

Don't see it if you’re a non-believer or if you’re offended by foul language or a deeply personal heartbreaking story of a very abusive childhood

Also Some numbers were very good but one or two make you wonder why they are included. Entertaining cast and very interesting story that needs a lot of polishing. Loved the use of a talented young boy portraying Thomas John as a child reading from a journal he kept. I believe this was the first performance and there were definitely some flow issues. Readings in the middle of the show were very interesting but also end abruptly mid-connection by the next musical number... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy autobiographical presentations. I wish there were more readings.

Don't see it if Expect many readings of the dead relatives. There were 3 the night I went. A bit too much emphasis on gays?

See it if if you like life stories

Don't see it if you dont like sexuaL situations

See it if You're a believer of psychics, fan of psychics, want to see a different small auto-bio-musical.

Don't see it if If you're expecting full fledged audience readings by a psychic. It only lasts about 10-15 mins. Hate musical numbers.

Also A friend highly suggested I see this psychic, not knowing it was a musical as well. His auto story was interesting enough. The psychic reading he gave was intriguing. The musical numbers were cute done by a group of young guy in wink-wink fashion. The theater is awful. Sat down in my seat and it broke off. Sightline was blocked by musicians, so stupid to have anyone sitting there.... Read more Read less

See it if you are looking for an quirky, multifaceted musical that you may never have thought of as a possible theater concept.

Don't see it if you are looking for a staid musical or something from the main stream.

Also I was surprised that someone could come up with this concept which included witty musical performance, talking to the dead and a shocking, but true history/biography. Strange but it all worked. I see some did not like the flamboyant musical performance, but I felt the group was quite good. The two musicians (bass and piano) on the side were excellent. My wife and I enjoyed this immensely.... Read more Read less

See it if you think he may speak to dead relatives of yours.

Don't see it if you do not trust people who see dead people.

Also His back story is horrifying.

See it if You enjoy a psychic medium coupled with an autobiographical musical experience. There is a sweetness to Thomas and his storytelling.

Don't see it if You are looking for a traditional broadway experience.

See it if You want a new kind of show, singing, digital, talking, audience interaction show. You enjoy smaller theatre setting. Like campy shows.

Don't see it if You are not into psychic situations. You get bored easily. You like traditional shows. You find biographies boring.

Also I went in with no expectation. The show gave us a biographical take on the protagonist. I watched many shows and this was fresh compared to others. As for the performers it was a ok campy style show. I would recommend this to someone who wants a new biogrpaphy experience with medium psychic audience interaction. For discounted tickets this show is alright, go watch it there's no intermission. 85 min of non traditional show. Go and explore the medium. :).... Read more Read less

See it if you are hopeful that Thomas John might just vibe on one of your deceased loved ones you want to see the happy boys singing and dancing

Don't see it if you are looking for a finished production you are looking for anything worthwhile

Also See something else
This is extremely amateur and not even an interesting profile of Thomas John's life. Watch a you tube video on him instead. This is a complete waste of time. I gave it a 10 because I felt bad. The boys tried.. They really tried & they had fun.... Read more Read less