The story of Gwyneth Paltrow's skiing mishap and subsequent legal battle has taken an unexpected turn into the world of musical theatre. "Gwyneth Goes Skiing," an off-Broadway musical created by British comedians Linus Karp and Joseph Martin, is doing a week-long run at the SoHo Playhouse in New York. Before hitting New York, the musical enjoyed successful runs in London and Park City, Utah – the very place the incident occurred back in 2016. According to Gothamist, the show features original music by Leland of "RuPaul's Drag Race" fame and includes vocals by Darren Criss and Cat Cohen.
The performance gives the audience a chance to become the jury, providing three different endings to vote on, allowing them to "change history if they want," according to Karp in an interview with Gothamist. The musical has drawn crowds including witnesses, and, even members of Paltrow's legal team, who, to Karp's surprise, enjoyed the show. Echoing these sentiments, Martin remarked to Page Six that New Yorkers "want to laugh and be queer and be loud and be silly," a mood the show decidedly encapsulates.
The musical re-enacts the 2019 trial in which retired optometrist Terry Sanderson sued Paltrow for $300,000, claiming a ski collision caused by the actress left him significantly injured. Paltrow's counter-claim, for the nominal sum of $1 plus legal fees, argued Sanderson was the one at fault. A jury eventually ruled in favor of Paltrow. "Gwyneth Goes Skiing" concepts this dramatic duel with a light-hearted touch, offering a platform for attendees to decide on the verdict themselves.
Karp and Martin, who also happen to be a real-life couple, navigate this comedy terrain by portraying Paltrow and Sanderson, respectively. Alongside them, "Glee" actor Darren Criss and drag queen Trixie Mattel add star power to the production, with Mattel making a cameo as Paltrow's mother, Blythe Danner. Speaking to Page Six, the creators shared their views on the fascination with the case, especially within the queer community, suggesting its appeal stems from a blend of low stakes and high glamour — punctuated by Paltrow’s courtroom line lamenting the loss of "half a day of skiing."
While the show's subject matter might be niche, it has garnered widespread interest. According to Gothamist, the attendance in Park City was notably substantial, featuring individuals directly involved in the trial. The show's appeal seems to have translated well on the East Coast, where, despite New York's bustling and diverse theatre scene, "Gwyneth Goes Skiing" holds its own as a unique and comically reflective take on a bizarre real-life event. Tickets for the musical are priced at $40, for those interested in catching the spectacle before its New York run concludes.
