“A charming celebration of the joy of musicals. [An] utterly engaging solo show. Hughes is as much a comedian as he is a performer and it’s his carefree charm that makes the show so accessible.”
-Louis B. Hobson, The National Post
“Say hello the next Michael Bublé. Michael Hughes’ show is a well-honed cabaret with Hughes’ life story linking his tremendous performances of 15 famous show tunes. With much humour he tells how his parents tried to cure him of cross-dressing and his obsession with Judy Garland by sending him to the Clarke Institute. Only when he engineers a trip to New York City does he discover there are other people as mad about musicals as he is. Hughes has a unique combination of charisma and complete lack of pretence. He makes each song, no matter how well known, into a personal expression of emotion. His passion makes all the old standards sound brand new.”
-Christopher Hoile, NOW Magazine
“Michael Hughes sings like Judy Garland but smolders like Gene Kelly”
-FAB Magazine
“Dear Mr. Hughes: You made us love you! Great heart, soul, pipes!”
-Glenn Sumi, NOW Magazine, CTV
“Hughes is engaging, personal, utterly charming and, my goodness gracious can the boy sing! Weaving in and out of the stories, Hughes performs a collection of classic Broadway showtunes. Since each song is connected to a pivotal moment in his life, Hughes performs them with a personal quality that really makes them affecting. His delivery is often heartfelt and the obvious joy he derives from performing these songs is infectious; we are seeing him at his most genuine self when he sings. His life truly is a musical. Like all the great classic musicals, you’ll likely leave Mickey & Judy with a smile on your face and a tune in your heart.”
-Wayne Leung, Mooney on Theatre
“Life is one big musical to singing sensation Michael Hughes – and trust me, his attitude is more than a little contagious. Hughes is wowing audiences with his dreamy, Judy Garland-esque voice and candid sense of humour. Between musical numbers, Hughes charms us with tales of his younger self: he wasn’t your typical little boy. But that’s what makes him a star. His story will inspire you to be yourself and follow your dreams. Mickey & Judy is a fantastic show. Michael Hughes is spectacular!”
-Theatromania
“Hughes has triumphed by creating a one-man show that is simple in its concept, but which audiences will adore.”
-PressPlus1.com
“Touching and funny”
-gaily.com
“Michael Hughes' Mickey & Judy, another hit at this year's Toronto Fringe Festival, is an exquisitely intimate evening as Mickey takes us on his personal journey growing up, trying to be fabulous, and looking to Judy Garland as an idol. We get to see a sweet and fragile side of Mickey growing up, as he uses the life and songs of Judy herself to build himself to the man he is today. The show becomes a warm and enrapturing cabaret with Mickey's personal struggles becoming an engaging story thread between well placed Judy Garland songs that begin to blend musical theatre storytelling within the solo show.”
-Tapeworthy
“The clever song-integrated show was nothing more or less than the remarkably charming Hughes with a microphone telling his story of growing up an interesting person…Uproariously funny and affecting tale… I wept openly and didn’t stop until well after he’d closed the show with a beautiful tenor rendition of ‘Over the Rainbow’. My favourite production of the festival."
-Kelly Bedard, My Entertainment World
"Keep your eyes on Hughes, who's got star quality written all over him"
-NOW Magazine
"Traces of Judy can be found nearly everywhere, in choice of song ('Oh Do It Again,' 'The Man That Got Away,' 'The Trolley Song') and in Hughes' own voice. He proves he really did learn everything he knows about musicals from Judy with little lilts and trembles that mimic hers in his own lovely tenor. A tenor that's worthy enough to grace the stages of the West End and Broadway. It's a sweet piece, and is sure to bring a smile, warm your heart and make you want to believe in your own wild dreams, just like Mickey."
-Lynne Marie Martens, BroadwayBaby (Scotland)
“Hughes is funny, charming and naively cynical without being unrealistic; In other words, a perfect character to root for. A great spoken and singing performance! Plus, any show which invites the audience to sing-along for a few numbers is automatically wonderful!”
-Katherine Cunningham, Three Weeks Edinburgh (Scotland)
"Broadway babies won't be disappointed!"
-Ben Walters, Time Out London
"Mickey & Judy is Cabaret at its best: an engaging and talented performer who manages to create a real connection with his audience through the genuine context of his own life. Hughes demonstrates excellent comic flair in songs like 'Make 'Em Laugh', but is equally strong in tender moments such as a soaring rendition of 'Maria'. In 'The Man That Got Away,' he virtually transforms into a male Judy Garland in both persona and vocal style, something that I would not have thought possible until I saw it executed so skillfully on stage. In Mickey & Judy, Hughes has created a show that is both universally entertaining and touching, inviting us to laugh and cry as we accompany him (and Judy) on this crazy journey called life."
-MTM:UK
"Fans of musicals and self-discovery will find much to enjoy here. The musical elements serve as a vehicle for [Hughes’] really quite extraordinary voice – but the songs also clearly hold immense personal significance. Aficionados would probably recognize all of the tunes but at times it’d be easy to believe they were Hughes’ own work. Early in the show, Hughes tells us that characters in musicals sing when they are too emotional to speak. Emotions or not, when you can sing like this, talking is overrated."
–Anna Feintuck, Fest Magazine (UK)
“Hughes has a strong, well modulated singing voice with crystal-clear enunciation and an engaging persona.”
-Malcolm Eadie, Remote Goat (London, England)
“This show has received 5-star reviews and been nominated for numerous awards for a reason- it is very funny! Standout items were "Lullaby of Broadway" sung in a ballad style and a beautiful impassioned rendition of Bernstein’s "Maria". An artist well worth following!”
-Fiona-Jane Weston, StageWon (London, England)
“A fun and funny autobiographical act, with a thoughtful core. With disarming energy and a wide-eyed innocent eager-beaver look that can flip into a winking cat-that-swallowed-the-canary mischievous grin, Michael Hughes joyfully bounds onto the stage and jumps into his life story about his obsession with Broadway and movie musicals…thoroughly delightful and entertaining. The show is heartfelt, especially in the Gershwins' "But Not for Me"…a true pleasure. Michael Hughes has charisma and energy and is unstoppable!”
-Rob Lester, Talkin’ Broadway (New York City)
“An engaging performer with impressive pipes!”
-Robert Windeler, Bistro Awards (New York City)
"What makes this young man so engaging to watch? What makes him so darn likeable? Could it be his ability to embrace the audience, making each feel like a friend and confidant? Could it be his ability to weave songs into his story that bring smiles and heartfelt laughter to even the most jaded cabaret-goer? Could it be the worldliness he has wrapped in a blanket of hopeful innocence? There is a message in this show that transcends its sheer joy. It is a message about the power of the human spirit as it fights convention to release the exceptional. I have no doubt that all of us who have had the chance to see [Hughes] in this early stage of his cabaret career will look back with pride as we say, 'I saw him when…'"
-John Weatherford, Times Square Chronicles (New York City)
“A graduate of the prestigious International Cabaret Conference at Yale University, Hughes had stage presence enough for everyone in the room, and a winning smile, which he employed liberally throughout the well-received show. Combined with a good vibrato and effective phrasing, Hughes’s impressive skills produced a completely believable performance, the feeling evident in his voice and on his face. One of the best turns of the evening was his rendition of “Maria,” a tender ballad which he’s performed in stage productions of West Side Story.”
-Jerry Osterberg, Cabaret Scenes Magazine (New York City)
“Hughes admits that, for him, ‘Life is a musical,’ and through his tightly woven song selection, his life story is summarized. There is no question he can sing, but it isn't until he sings ‘Maria’ from West Side Story toward the end of his act that your jaw drops as he hits the notes effortlessly. Seeing Hughes stand center stage in New York City is proof that no matter how different you may think you are, you can fulfill your dreams by being true to yourself. And isn't that what his closing number, ‘Over the Rainbow,’ is really all about?”
- Dustin Fitzharris, Nitelife Exchange (New York City)
“If you’re ever in need of a smile, a laugh, or a little inspiration, look no further than Michael Hughes. You don’t have to love show tunes or musical theatre to love this show, you just need to enjoy hearing someone tell a story about their love affair with life. Mickey & Judy is one of the most delightful shows I’ve seen at the festival in four years, a compelling story about individuality, determination, and love of performance.”
- Joe Belanger, London Free Press
“Michael Hughes is a charming and instantly likeable performer. He augments his tales with well-chosen and beautifully performed show tunes. The joy he has in performing is infectious, and you’ll enjoy your time with him.”
- Laurie Bursch, Theatre In London
“From the moment Michael Hughes steps on stage the audience is enchanted by his performance. Hughes is a fantastic interpreter of the classic Garland songs he sings. His voice can soar and also observe the subtlest nuances. There’s a warmth to Hughes’ storytelling and a genuine connection with his audience. This is thanks to his perfect mix of humility and earnestness. He makes you root for him and cheer for his triumphs. This is one of the most polished and endearing shows I have seen in recent memory.”
- Adam Corrigan Holowitz, The London Yodeller
NOW Magazine: Spreadin’ The Hughes
Nitelife Exchange: A Bright, Young Talent Takes On NYC
Toronto Star: Canadian Shows Get Buzz at Edinburgh Fringe Fest
The Scotsman (Scotland): Michael Hughes on an odd stroke of luck
National Post: Diary (Day 1 - Packing is the real pressure)
National Post: Diary (Day 2 - Desperate to get rid of me)
National Post: Diary (Day 3 - I keep my wallet in a fanny pack)
National Post: Diary (Day 4 - Pass along that endorsement deal)
Broadway World: Edinburgh Fringe with Michael Hughes
My Entertainment World: Q & A with Michael Hughes
Broadway World: Broadway Geek Michael Hughes talks Mickey & Judy at Fringe
Toronto Star: 10 Freakiest Shows of the 2011 Toronto Fringe Festival
Oakville Beaver: His own story sets stage for Fringe entry
