Rachel Bloom, the creator and star of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, is no stranger to the ups and downs of the entertainment world. Since the show wrapped up its critically acclaimed four-season run on The CW in 2019, fans have often wondered if there’s more of Rebecca Bunch’s story to tell. While Bloom has moved on to new projects, including her Netflix special Death, Let Me Do My Special, she recently opened up about a dream that fans might find exciting: the possibility of more Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. But not in the way you might think — we’re talking about a stage musical.
The Dream of a Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Season 5
In an interview with IndieWire, Rachel Bloom shared a playful yet wistful sentiment about returning to West Covina, CA, for a fifth season of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. While she emphasized that it’s not likely to happen — “I don’t think it’s gonna happen” — she admitted that she dreams of it. “I had a dream about coming back to Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and doing a Season 5,” Bloom revealed. “This is a recurring dream that I have had ever since 2019. And then I wake up and I’m like, ‘Oh no, we’ve definitively ended the show. Why would we do a Season 5?’”
It’s clear that while Bloom is not planning a Season 5 of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, the idea of revisiting Rebecca’s world is still something that tugs at her heart. But there’s something that Bloom is far more serious about: creating a Crazy Ex-Girlfriend stage musical.
A Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Stage Musical: The Realistic Dream
Rachel Bloom explained that the possibility of a Crazy Ex-Girlfriend stage musical is a far more realistic idea than a full-on season revival. “A stage musical version of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is definitely part of the goal,” Bloom said. This isn’t a surprising statement considering the show’s extensive catalogue of original songs, which was a key feature of its success.
For Bloom, the idea of adapting the show into a stage musical makes a lot of sense, especially given the show’s musical numbers were always more than just catchy tunes. They were integral to the storytelling and character development. “If you’re doing a musical, no matter what, even if you’re just gonna plop all four seasons into a musical, you’re gonna need songs because it’s going to be just fundamentally different storytelling,” she pointed out. In other words, a stage adaptation of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend would require new songs, ensuring the music continues to play a key role in the narrative.
The Legacy of Adam Schlesinger: Comedy Songwriting Genius
While the idea of a Crazy Ex-Girlfriend musical sounds exciting, there’s a bittersweet element tied to this dream: the tragic loss of Adam Schlesinger. Schlesinger, the brilliant pop composer behind That Thing You Do! and countless other hit songs, was Bloom’s long-time collaborator on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Tragically, Schlesinger passed away in April 2020 due to complications from COVID-19.
Bloom dedicated her memoir to Schlesinger and has since spoken movingly about how his death impacted her personally and professionally. She also paid tribute to Schlesinger in her Netflix special, Death, Let Me Do My Special. But Schlesinger’s influence on Bloom’s songwriting continues to be a significant part of her creative process.
Bloom shared how Schlesinger helped refine her comedy songwriting skills. “Adam was so good at finding hooks that were these wonderful turns of phrases,” she said. “I came from musical theater where everything is very cutesy, implied… but Adam really taught me how to find better turns of phrase in both the lyrics but also the chorus.” This partnership produced some of the show’s most memorable songs, including the hilarious and clever “We Tapped That Ass All Over This House.”
A Stage Musical Needs More Songs: The Challenge Ahead
If Bloom and her collaborators were to bring Crazy Ex-Girlfriend to the stage, it would not only require an adaptation of the show’s story but also a whole new batch of songs. “At some point, I think if we did a stage musical, you would have to have new songs,” Bloom said. While fans might dream of hearing old favorites like “Let’s Generalize About Men” or “Strip Away My Conscience,” a stage version would likely feature fresh material. And as Bloom pointed out, that would make perfect sense for a live musical performance.
The challenge of creating new songs that live up to the original’s wit and charm is certainly a daunting one, especially with Schlesinger no longer around to collaborate. However, Bloom remains optimistic. She expressed that while Schlesinger’s loss would leave a hole in the creative process, there’s still hope to continue creating music that resonates with fans. “It would be very, very weird to do that without Adam,” Bloom admitted. “But never say never.”
The Power of Comedy Songs: What Adam Schlesinger Taught Rachel Bloom
Rachel Bloom credits Adam Schlesinger with teaching her the delicate art of writing comedy songs that have both humor and heart. While Bloom’s early songwriting leaned toward more straightforward and perhaps cheekier humor — titles like “You Can Touch My Boobies” or “Who Wants to Watch the Tony Awards?” — Schlesinger showed her how to inject a level of sophistication and wit into the lyrics that elevated the comedy.
An example Bloom cites is the song “We Tapped That Ass All Over This House,” which started with an idea she had for a tap number. “I came in and I was like, I want to do a Moses Supposes-like tap number that’s like, ‘We banged you here, we banged you there, we banged you everywhere.’” But as she and her collaborators worked through the lyrics, Schlesinger came up with the iconic line, “We tapped that ass all over this house,” which became the perfect hook for the song. This kind of witty, sharp turn of phrase was Schlesinger’s trademark and something Bloom admires and continues to incorporate into her own writing.
Schlesinger was also known for being meticulous about rhyme and structure, an aspect of songwriting that Bloom didn’t always prioritize before working with him. “Adam was much more of a stickler for perfect rhymes,” she shared. “If you want to do legitimately funny songs, you have to stay one step ahead of the audience.” It’s this attention to detail and commitment to quality that elevated the songs on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and set them apart from the typical musical comedy fare.
What Could a Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Musical Look Like?
So, what would a Crazy Ex-Girlfriend stage musical actually look like? While Bloom hasn’t given away any specific details, it’s easy to imagine the adaptation leaning heavily on the show’s unique blend of humor, heart, and musical genre parody. The musical would undoubtedly feature a mix of existing fan-favorite songs and brand-new tunes, possibly exploring new facets of Rebecca’s story or offering deeper character development for the supporting cast. With Bloom’s trademark comedic sensibility and Schlesinger’s lasting influence, a Crazy Ex-Girlfriend musical could be both a loving tribute to the show and a bold reimagining of its characters and world.
Conclusion: The Future of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
While there’s no definitive answer on whether Crazy Ex-Girlfriend will return for a fifth season or if the stage musical will ever come to life, Rachel Bloom’s openness to exploring new creative directions suggests that anything is possible. For now, fans can hold on to the dream of a stage musical, one that would carry the show’s spirit forward while paying homage to the magic that made the original series so special. As Bloom herself put it, “Never say never.”
