By Ryan Leeds
Pastel Post-it notes plaster the doors and inside walls of the Orpheum Theater, where audience members of the new theatrical dance experience 11 to Midnight can discover (or write their own) resolutions like “Be kind,” “Try new things,” and “Get out of my comfort zone.” Easier said than done, but the powerhouse creative team and cast prove it possible.
Framed as a gathering of friends on New Year’s Eve, 11 to Midnight grooves to its own rhythm. Conceived by Austin and Marideth Telenko, better known on TikTok as Cost n’ Mayor, and Josh and Lyndsay Magid Aviner, founders of Hideaway Circus, the high-energy, smartly conceived production may be one of the best parties you’ll attend all year.
The Telenkos, who rose to popularity during the pandemic with their inventive moves, choreograph and star in the show that runs the musical gamut from American standards to contemporary pop, hip-hop, and retro ‘80s tunes, along with original compositions by Jacob Aviner.
When a party is more than just a party
11 to Midnight navigates issues we can all relate to, from finding love and overcoming relationship squabbles to forging new friendships. But the choreographers and director Lyndsay Aviner ensure that those moments don’t linger, balancing the story structure with the kind of joy and celebration you’d expect on New Year’s Eve.
The tightly synchronized cast of seven each has featured solo moments that showcase their talents, and it’s thrilling to see dancers in the spotlight.
In addition to the catchy soundtrack, Ben Scheff and Steve Toulmin’s impeccable sound design masters the daunting task of perfectly timing ASMR cues to mimed actions (wine bottles opening, the rattling of a refrigerator door, etc.), all of which occur in a cozy, hip apartment designed by Arnel Sancianco.
Whether Cost n’ Mayor’s social media following translates to box office success remains uncertain, but here’s what’s definitive: in a cultural moment defined by isolation, cynicism, and endless scroll, 11 to Midnight offers something genuinely subversive: communal joy.
5 out of 5 stars
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Fast facts: ‘11 to Midnight’
A high-energy New Year’s celebration that proves viral creators can make legitimate theater—and reminds us that joy is a radical act.
- Orpheum Theater, 126 Second Avenue, New York City
- Running time: 65 minutes, no intermission
- Performances through April 19, 2026
