By Matthew Wexler
To be inside the warped mind of Ginger Twinsies writer-director Kevin Zak is like slipping into a pair of high-waisted, light-wash denim shorts: so wrong, but oh so right. His new Off-Broadway satirical adaptation of The Parent Trap delivers high camp, drawing inspiration from both the 1961 movie starring Hayley Mills and the 1998 remake, featuring Lindsay Lohan in her feature film debut.
Rather than one actor playing Annie and Hallie, identical twins separated at birth, Zak has cast Russell Daniels (Titaníque) and Aneesa Folds (Freestyle Love Supreme) as the pair, along with a chameleon-like ensemble. Expect character cameos by Jamie Lee Curtis and Shirley MacLaine, plus more piercing pop culture references than you could poke with a Capri-Sun straw.
Beowulf Boritt, who’s designed 34 Broadway shows, relies on what looks like tempera paint and cardboard for a “let’s put on a show!” aesthetic. Mischievously simple, the hand-crafted pieces add to Zak’s kooky world, along with Wilberth Gonzalez’s exaggerated costumes. Sharp lighting and sound design by Bradley King and Joshua D. Reid, respectively, support the brisk pace and unexpected plot twists.
Unless you’ve been glued to the internet since the AOL days and deep in pop culture, some of Zak’s references may whizz by. But rather than alienating the audience, you’ll likely find yourself leaning in, catching what you can, and enjoying the surrounding laughter when someone else gets the joke.
Ginger Twinsies joins a wave of nostalgic productions with a naughty twist. Earlier this season, The Last Bimbo of the Apocalypse also nodded to Lindsay Lohan, while Heathers The Musical (currently running at New World Stages) adds showtunes to the 1989 dark comedy.
“What’s your damage, Heather?” More than you think, even as a musical
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This latest dive into the retro pop culture zeitgeist breathes fresh air into a genre popularized by Charles Busch, Charles Ludlam, and, more recently, Cole Escola. While ‘Ginger Twinsies’ may riff on familiar territory—identical twins separated at birth—Kevin Zak’s wicked sense of humor and fearless execution make it wholly, deliciously unique.
Ginger Twinsies plays Off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theatre through October 26, 2025.
‘Ginger Twinsies’ takeaway
Ginger Twinsies follows a legacy of sibling scenarios to grace the stage. Who could forget:
Side Show — The short-lived musical about real-life conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton first appeared on Broadway in 1997, starring Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner. A revival fared even worse, lasting 56 performances.
Twelfth Night — A shipwreck separates siblings Viola and Sebastian in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, their reunion one of several brilliantly interwoven plots. The Public Theater will present its latest incarnation at the newly revitalized Delacorte Theatre in Central Park. Performances begin August 7.
Blood Brothers — Last seen on Broadway more than 30 years ago, Willy Russell’s tragic musical about fraternal twins, separated at birth, was nominated for six Tony Awards. The production ran for 840 performances and showcased some eclectic celebrity casting in the role of Mrs. Johnstone, including Petula Clark, Carole King, and Helen Reddy.
