Book, music, and lyrics by Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell
Musical Direction by Larry Presgrove
Directed by Michael Berresse
Synopsis:
[title of show] takes a thoroughly unique and comical look at the pleasures and perils of the artistic process as two struggling writers and two struggling actresses take on the seemingly impossible task of creating a new musical about creating a new musical. Now with Broadway as their destination, the quartet's saga continues anew as they face mounting pressures and deadlines, and are nearly thrown off-track by disagreements, day jobs and insecurities in this funny and unforgettable look at the birth of a musical as it finally comes to life on the Great White Way.
NEW YORK TIMES:
"Does that sound silly and inconsequential? Well, “[title of show]” is definitely both, but at least it has the smarts to acknowledge it. And as performed by Mr. Bowen, Mr. Bell, and Susan Blackwell and Heidi Blickenstaff, the talented girlfriends they rope into their makeshift, make-it-up-as-we-go-along opus, it is genial, unpretentious and far funnier than many of the more expensively manufactured musicals that make it to Broadway these days. "
Read the whole review HERE.
NEW YORK POST:
"But when the self-conscious and terminally cute and the pixie-like fey are all mixed up with self-congratulatory smugness, it results in a piece of - oh, let's call it garbage. "
Read the whole review HERE.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS:
"... it's a joyously entertaining tribute to the pain and elation of the artistic process and of being a part of a world you adore. "
Read the whole review HERE.
THEATERMANIA:
"Its insidery tone aside, [title of show] will certainly speak to anyone who has worked hard to make their dreams come true -- despite the nasty opinions of others and the discouraging voices in their own heads. Equally if not more important, the show has a lot to say about the nature of true friendship. In the end, this little-musical-that-could gives us more than enough to listen to, in every sense of the term, to warrant a visit. "
Read the whole review HERE.
VARIETY:
"A cute little workshop musical that was inoffensive in its downtown setting catering to its downtown claque, "[title of show]" stands pathetically naked on Broadway. Show's whimsical conceit...survives the transfer intact, as do the original creatives. But stripped of satirical edge for its heavy Broadway date, the backstage show.... is revealed in all its narcissism, flaunting its shallow aesthetic values and taking unseemly pride in its inflated ambitions. "
Read the whole review HERE.
NEWSDAY:
"But the show is so desperate to be loved - and yet so defiantly defensive and so oddly pleased with its success - that there's no room for audiences to discover the endearing smartness for themselves. "
Read the whole review HERE.
NEW YORK MAGAZINE:
"If I’m hard on a musical that really is a good time, it’s partly because there’s so much real skill used in such unfortunate ways up there. "
Read the whole review HERE.
NY1/TIME OUT NY:
"When “{title of show}” opened Off Broadway two years ago, its Broadway aspirations were sweet, but they seemed like part of the joke. Sure, this self-referential behind-the-scenes musical comedy was clever and tuneful and bursting with charm, but Broadway? Unthinkable. Well think again, because the little tuner that thought it could, did. And it hasn't lost a bit of quirky, heartfelt brilliance."
Read the whole review HERE.
|
