This doesn't make the musical feel repetitive in a tired way, though. In keeping with the theme of loops, circles, and repetition, many of the songs in A Strange Loop parallel other songs in their lyrics, themes, or significance in the show - for example, there are multiple voicemails from Usher's mother, and two ballads that reflect on the songs right before them. And at an intermission-less 100 minutes, it's the songs that keep the story driving forward. His show is now also the recipient of 11 Tony Award nominations, the most of any show in 2022.Ī Strange Loop, inspired by Jackson's own life experiences, tells the story of a Black, gay young man named Usher who battles relentless self-loathing as he's trying to make it big in theatre with a musical about a Black, gay man writing a musical. Jackson, was the first musical writer to achieve that honor. In fact, A Strange Loop's creator, Michael R. It's rare that a show gets a cast recording before heading to Broadway - and even rarer that a show gets a Pulitzer Prize before heading there. A Strange Loop was an instant phenomenon upon premiering off Broadway in 2019.