Writer, composer and performer Levi Kreis might take the idea of loving oneself a little too far for a London audience. His show is a look back at his life, with his younger self appearing and joining in his songs. It is very easy to see 100 minutes of self-reflection culminating in self-acceptance as self-indulgent. But it is important to note that Almost Perfect is also very good.
Taking place in Kreis’ Broadway dressing room, the backstage cabaret scenario is neat. But, overall, Kreis’ book, with additional material from the show’s director Dave Solomon, needs trimming. The dialogue is often cheesy and pauses are rarely as profound as they aim to be. Yet the story is great. Kries has had a life full of incident, with a Tony Award along the way. And he tells the tale not just with the repeated refrain of conviction, but with a harsh view of himself that generates sympathy.
Kreis is joined by two talented performers. Killian Thomas Lefevre plays his younger self, enjoying the development of the character as he grows up and sounding great throughout. Yiftach ‘Iffy’ Mizrahi has a harder role as Kreis’ sponsor – the effort made to fill the character out isn’t enough and the idea of him being the same guy who introduced the younger Kreis to drugs seems odd. Mizrahi does well with comedic moments but, while there are good jokes, the humour doesn’t gel well with the trauma recounted. Understandably, addiction, abuse and gay conversion therapy overwhelm the piece.
Such tough subjects are hard to write songs about, let alone generating a final number that aims to have us leaving the theatre uplifted. And here is where reservations must pause. Kreis has a very powerful voice. He could probably make anything sound great (and he does have to do that a couple of times here). But the songs are good – the mix of country, gospel and 90s pop is interesting and the lyrics are sophisticated. Kreis has poured his heart into the music and created a show to be proud of.
Until 15 February 2026
Photo by Pamela Raith