It’s a tense time in the newsroom at People Magazine.  In three weeks, the eternally popular celebrity mag will be publishing their most anticipated annual issue: The one with the cover featuring “The Sexiest Man Alive”! (Applause, please…) That’s also the name of the new musical by Fourth Culture Collective, now playing at New York City’s wild project as part of FRIGID NY Fringe Festival 2026. Directed by Eleni Lefakis, the show was written by Jefferson Lind with music and lyrics by Sayali Gove.  

The creators of this unapologetically mirthful musical had their work at least partially cut out for them: America’s love-hate relationship with celebrities couldn’t be an easier or more deserved target for ridicule, especially as we enter the cynical second half of 2026. Kicking off with Mel Gibson in 1985 (You can stop applauding now…), the Sexiest Man Alive issue of People has spotlighted a seemingly endless parade of himbos, with Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, George Clooney, and Richard Gere having double dipped into the pop culture pot of gold through the years. So, just who will be the next guy to join the ranks of the 37 other men who graced that glossy cover? Enquiring minds want to know (Sorry, wrong magazine…)

The show kicked off with the cranky head honcho of People (Henry Kerrey) announcing actor Timothy Olyphant (?) as his choice for Sexiest Man of the Year.  But shortly afterward, the boss unexpectedly… drops dead at his desk (try saying that three times fast.) Plucky intern Erika Ripley (Olivia Hight) takes charge as Editor-in-Chief– and although she has to endure a mass resignation by her staff, she is determined to find a more “authentic” stud to take the envied title.  She’s also determined to maintain her journalistic integrity.  Thankfully, Erika has the help of her best friend Mindy (Alex Nobert), who volunteers to be her Managing Editor.  Shortly afterward, she also finds a collaborator and frenemy with the charmingly manic Keaton Finch (Joe Nalieth).  

With the help of a “super computer” at Carnegie Mellon University, “the sexiest man alive” is scientifically determined to be an unexpected toss-up between Dr. Jefferson Prince (Ben Kaplan), a veterinarian with an affinity for rats; and Anatoly Karamazov (Max Kay), a Starbucks barista in Moscow with an affinity for… Keaton Finch. Lurking in the background is Timothy Olyphant (Tom O’Leary), who has an affinity for… Timothy Olyphant.  Needless to say, the vain Emmy-nominated actor is not willing to give up the title he thought he was going to get– especially when he is planning on releasing a new album of club music.  Between these three men, it looks like French President Emmanuel Macron never even stood a chance… Still, Jefferson Prince winds up being the popular favorite, thanks to that kind of “word of mouth” buzz that all PR reps pray every night for.  This enrages Timothy Olyphant, who is not willing to bow out of this race gracefully. 
Which hunk will emerge triumphant?  Can Erika meet her professional goals and still maintain her ethics?  Will Anatoly hook up with Keaton?  Most importantly, what would the REAL Timothy Olyphant, who takes quite a whipping in this play, think of The Sexiest Man Alive? (I kept looking for him in the audience throughout the show…)  

Despite some genuinely smart social commentary about consumerism and celebrity culture, The Sexiest Man Alive is at best when it’s at its silliest.  Every song is a self-contained comedy showcase in itself, with clever and humorous lyrics by Sayali Gove.  It starts with the opening number, No One’s Truly Sexy Anymore.  Dr. Jefferson Prince’s All Creatures are Beautiful is a subversive delight and an audience favorite.  The show also benefits from a youthful, energetic, and hard-working cast, many of whom play multiple roles.  These actors know their comedy; even in the one hour running time, there are an endless amount of priceless one-liners in this show.  When I originally saw that there were 11 cast members in a piece that’s only an hour long, I wondered how every cast member would get their time in the spotlight.  But the show manages to do it.  As Erika, Olivia Hight is endearing; she can hit some impressive notes as a singer and even gets an eleventh hour number: Better.  Joe Nalieth as Keaton and Tom O’Leary as Mr. Olyphant are standouts, excelling in both physical comedy and in their delivery of some comedic gided missiles.  As Mindy, Alex Nobert gets to enjoy many of the show’s funniest comebacks.  The ending, where our Timothy Olyphant performs his posturing club hit People Will Never Die (Song for the Club)  is no less than an over-the-top extravaganza of absurdist abandon– which, of course, suits this show perfectly.  

The Sexiest Man Alive continues at wild project, 195 E. 3rd St, NYC.  For more information and tickets, visit The Sexiest Man Alive.

The cast features Olivia Hight (Erika Ripley), Joe Nalieth (Keaton Finch), Ben Kaplan (Dr. Jefferson Prince), Tom O’Leary (Timothy Olyphant), Max Kay (Anatoly), Alex Nobert (Mindy), Henry Kerrey (Old Jeff), Sanjna Narayan (Gina Godbrick / Ensemble), Sarah Wolf (Dr. Melissa Vinterberg / Ensemble), Thor Anderskow (Al Gore / Ensemble), and Abigail Scharf (Student / Ensemble).The creative team includes Giao Vu Dinh (Vocal Director), Emily Rubinstein (Choreographer), Aedan Harrod (Production Manager), Kat McLaughlin (Stage Manager), Renata Taylor-Smith (Lighting Designer), Nathalie Lam (Sound Designer), William Owen (Projection Designer), Megan Purcell (Costume Designer), and Jess Aaron (Props Designer).