Playwright Jamie Morris, the comedic mastermind behind such beloved parody productions as Mommie Queerest, The Facts of Life: The Lost Episode, and The Silence of the Clams, is back with his seventh venture into satire—The Devil Wears Payless. After a stellar, extended four-month debut in Provincetown, Massachusetts, the show will make its Las Vegas debut at the Majestic Repertory Theatre, running November 21-23.
This latest project playfully reimagines The Devil Wears Prada, the 2006 film that captivated audiences with its biting humor and unforgettable performances by Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt. Morris’ Payless version asks a hilariously absurd question: what would happen if Miranda Priestly, the ultimate fashion icon and boss from hell, were caught dead in a pair of budget-friendly shoes from Payless? “I always say you can’t really parody something unless you love it,” Morris explains, “and I’ve loved The Devil Wears Prada since it came out. It’s in our cultural DNA now.” With this love comes a satirical twist that taps into both the movie’s famous one-liners and the nostalgia of an era when Payless’ BOGO sales were a major draw.
The show’s enthusiastic reception in Provincetown surprised even Morris. With Provincetown’s famously packed entertainment scene, carving out a space is a feat in itself, but Payless garnered a loyal following, leading to a packed summer schedule at the Post Office Cabaret, affectionately nicknamed the “postage stamp theater” for its compact space. The show’s success exceeded expectations, earning two extensions. “We had great audiences all summer for four months,” Morris reflects. “It was well received, and we were very grateful to see people connecting with it.”
Las Vegas audiences are in for a treat with the original Provincetown cast reprising their roles. Jonathan Joseph Peters, a former Project Runway contestant and Morris’ previous collaborator, will star as Emily Charlton, while also lending his design talents as the show’s costume and wig designer. Eden Allegretti takes on the role of the wide-eyed Andy Sachs, and Harrison Fish rounds out the cast as Nigel Kipling, Andy’s reluctant but supportive mentor.
For Morris, the magic of this production goes beyond his love for the movie—it’s also about the chemistry among the cast. “I call it lightning in a bottle. We just love each other on stage and off,” he says. “It all just came together magically.” When the opportunity arose to bring his “little Provincetown family” to Vegas, Morris knew he couldn’t pass it up. He’s excited for his cast to experience Vegas’ own unique energy and see how the city’s audiences respond to their performances.
The Majestic Repertory Theatre’s space offers a unique twist for the Las Vegas run, compared to Provincetown’s cozy, tech-heavy setup. “In Provincetown, the stage is tiny with an LED wall as the backdrop, which gives us flexibility to use digital projections and videos instead of physical sets,” explains Morris. In Vegas, the team will “up the game” with a larger set, hoping to immerse audiences in the world of Runway Magazine. Morris describes the look he’s going for as a space that, even at first glance, captures the essence of the magazine’s luxe offices.
As a parody playwright, Morris thrives on connecting audiences to pop culture classics. For him, the fun lies in revisiting iconic scenes and characters and adding fresh, unexpected layers. “The Devil Wears Prada is so close to my heart, and who doesn’t quote it?” Yet Morris knows the material needs to be handled with a balance of homage and humor. “I keep as many of the iconic lines and scenes in there as I can because the audience would eviscerate me if they weren’t there,” he laughs.
But despite the faithfulness to its source material, The Devil Wears Payless is no word-for-word reenactment. Morris’ adaptation has cut out several characters to focus on the relationships between Miranda, Andy, Emily, and Nigel. And for those who’ve long found Andy’s boyfriend Nate to be an unsupportive partner, Morris shares your views. “I think he’s the true villain of the piece,” Morris says. “He’s upset she missed his birthday…you’re a grown man! Calm down.”
One of the most enjoyable elements of the show, both for the actors and the audience, is the interactive nature of the performance. “The audience knows the lines before we say them. In the famous Cerulean monologue, I never have to say the word Cerulean; the audience does it for me,” Morris explains. This camaraderie between the cast and the crowd elevates the experience, making it feel as if viewers are sharing inside jokes with the characters.
As much as Morris enjoys bringing his audiences a faithful re-imagining of beloved scenes, he’s equally invested in keeping things fresh. “Meryl Streep made this brilliant choice never to yell in the movie; it’s just disappointment and looks,” he says. “It’s what I call a lot of eye acting.” He recreates this with his own twist, aiming for the same quietly withering effect that fans of Streep’s Miranda would expect.
Morris’ dedication to keeping his parodies grounded in affection is at the heart of his success. “Everything that I’ve parodied—this is my seventh one—is something that’s been really close to my heart,” he shares. “As a writer, I’ve got to say, it’s a little easier when half the work is done for you. The characters are already so vivid in our minds. All I have to do is add a little twist.”
And just what is that twist? Morris keeps it under wraps, encouraging curious viewers to come and see the play for themselves. “Miranda in Payless shoes—she’d rather die!” he laughs, hinting at the absurdity awaiting audiences.
As a veteran of parody theater, Morris knows how to tap into the pulse of the moment. With his prior works, including Gilligan’s Fire Island and Schartt$ Creek, Morris has honed his ability to make audiences laugh while offering fresh takes on familiar narratives. But in The Devil Wears Payless, he aims for more than just laughs. Given recent world events, Morris sees comedy as an essential reprieve, a chance for everyone to come together and laugh. “If you’re feeling down, come and escape for an hour,” he suggests. “Hopefully we’ll spread some love and joy and help you forget about things for a while. Let’s all laugh together—I think we need it now more than ever.”
For those intrigued by the premise but unsure about what to expect, Morris has a simple message: “If you love the movie, come on down and see what we’ve done with it. It’s an hour of pure silliness.” With the Majestic Repertory Theatre show just two weeks away, The Devil Wears Payless is poised to give Las Vegas audiences a much-needed dose of lighthearted entertainment.
About the Show
The Devil Wears Payless runs from November 21-23 at the Majestic Repertory Theatre in downtown Las Vegas. With a mix of iconic lines, unexpected twists, and a playful homage to fashion’s elite, this production promises fans of The Devil Wears Prada a fresh take on the story they know and love. For ticketing and information, check out the Majestic Repertory Theatre’s website at majesticrepertory.com