Starring Musicals
@starringmusicals.bsky.social
Add your reviews of musicals both new and not so new. Rate a show from 1 to 5 stars. Focus on the show’s craft, not a particular production. Remember: opinions are opinions, not fact. Making art is challenging.
West Side Story (Bernstein/Sondheim, Laurents, conceived by Robbins) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
To turn one of Shakespeare’s most romantic/tragic often-produced plays into a musical set in a different (contemporary) era with SONG and DANCE that balances comedy and tragedy… daunting! And yet, it’s a masterpiece.
To turn one of Shakespeare’s most romantic/tragic often-produced plays into a musical set in a different (contemporary) era with SONG and DANCE that balances comedy and tragedy… daunting! And yet, it’s a masterpiece.
January 19, 2025 at 1:28 PM
West Side Story (Bernstein/Sondheim, Laurents, conceived by Robbins) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
To turn one of Shakespeare’s most romantic/tragic often-produced plays into a musical set in a different (contemporary) era with SONG and DANCE that balances comedy and tragedy… daunting! And yet, it’s a masterpiece.
To turn one of Shakespeare’s most romantic/tragic often-produced plays into a musical set in a different (contemporary) era with SONG and DANCE that balances comedy and tragedy… daunting! And yet, it’s a masterpiece.
Mystic Pizza (Rustin, arr. by Dean) ⭐️⭐️ Sigh… this one is the PBR of Jukebox musicals. You’ll recognize the tasty tunes from the 80s. You may enjoy the sweet rom com characters. But I’m pretty sure you won’t remember much of the story because there could not possibly be less dramatic thrust.
January 19, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Mystic Pizza (Rustin, arr. by Dean) ⭐️⭐️ Sigh… this one is the PBR of Jukebox musicals. You’ll recognize the tasty tunes from the 80s. You may enjoy the sweet rom com characters. But I’m pretty sure you won’t remember much of the story because there could not possibly be less dramatic thrust.
Reposted by Starring Musicals
Under Biden, the U.S. has the best economy in the world—literally the envy of the globe. The World Bank just confirmed it's stabilizing the entire world economy. Soon, 77m voters will realize they traded one of our best Presidents for a rerun of our indisputable worst.
December 4, 2024 at 7:40 AM
Under Biden, the U.S. has the best economy in the world—literally the envy of the globe. The World Bank just confirmed it's stabilizing the entire world economy. Soon, 77m voters will realize they traded one of our best Presidents for a rerun of our indisputable worst.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Rice/Lloyd Webber) ⭐️⭐️
Fun ride if eye candy is abundant & at least 1 or 2 of the cast brings star quality, but overall, why? It remains, IMO, a kids show with an odd pastiche score. Any show that uses a “Megamix” to extend run time will always be sus.
Fun ride if eye candy is abundant & at least 1 or 2 of the cast brings star quality, but overall, why? It remains, IMO, a kids show with an odd pastiche score. Any show that uses a “Megamix” to extend run time will always be sus.
November 24, 2024 at 6:58 PM
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Rice/Lloyd Webber) ⭐️⭐️
Fun ride if eye candy is abundant & at least 1 or 2 of the cast brings star quality, but overall, why? It remains, IMO, a kids show with an odd pastiche score. Any show that uses a “Megamix” to extend run time will always be sus.
Fun ride if eye candy is abundant & at least 1 or 2 of the cast brings star quality, but overall, why? It remains, IMO, a kids show with an odd pastiche score. Any show that uses a “Megamix” to extend run time will always be sus.
The Full Monty (Yazbek/McNally)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Underrated! The creators took a good movie and crafted a great musical. A perfect ‘underdog’ narrative with equal helpings of heart and humor. Score could not be better because it aligns with period/place/character beautifully. Book is masterfully economic.
Underrated! The creators took a good movie and crafted a great musical. A perfect ‘underdog’ narrative with equal helpings of heart and humor. Score could not be better because it aligns with period/place/character beautifully. Book is masterfully economic.
November 15, 2024 at 2:15 AM
The Full Monty (Yazbek/McNally)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Underrated! The creators took a good movie and crafted a great musical. A perfect ‘underdog’ narrative with equal helpings of heart and humor. Score could not be better because it aligns with period/place/character beautifully. Book is masterfully economic.
Underrated! The creators took a good movie and crafted a great musical. A perfect ‘underdog’ narrative with equal helpings of heart and humor. Score could not be better because it aligns with period/place/character beautifully. Book is masterfully economic.
Tootsie (Yazbeck/Horne) ⭐️⭐️
Though the book won a Tony (and it is chock full of good laugh lines), the score is underwhelming and the “update” robs the narrative of its potency. Biggest ?? Is story moved from the soap opera realm to the Broadway musical realm… but the final reveal is pure soap.
Though the book won a Tony (and it is chock full of good laugh lines), the score is underwhelming and the “update” robs the narrative of its potency. Biggest ?? Is story moved from the soap opera realm to the Broadway musical realm… but the final reveal is pure soap.
November 15, 2024 at 2:14 AM
Tootsie (Yazbeck/Horne) ⭐️⭐️
Though the book won a Tony (and it is chock full of good laugh lines), the score is underwhelming and the “update” robs the narrative of its potency. Biggest ?? Is story moved from the soap opera realm to the Broadway musical realm… but the final reveal is pure soap.
Though the book won a Tony (and it is chock full of good laugh lines), the score is underwhelming and the “update” robs the narrative of its potency. Biggest ?? Is story moved from the soap opera realm to the Broadway musical realm… but the final reveal is pure soap.
Catch Me If You Can (McNally/Shaiman/Wittman) ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ace source material, problematic conceit. While the time period of the story would seem to be served by a take on music of the period (as in Hairspray), the still narrower reference to 60s Vegas showroom shows is inorganic. Some good tunes, tho.
Ace source material, problematic conceit. While the time period of the story would seem to be served by a take on music of the period (as in Hairspray), the still narrower reference to 60s Vegas showroom shows is inorganic. Some good tunes, tho.
November 13, 2024 at 2:19 PM
Catch Me If You Can (McNally/Shaiman/Wittman) ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ace source material, problematic conceit. While the time period of the story would seem to be served by a take on music of the period (as in Hairspray), the still narrower reference to 60s Vegas showroom shows is inorganic. Some good tunes, tho.
Ace source material, problematic conceit. While the time period of the story would seem to be served by a take on music of the period (as in Hairspray), the still narrower reference to 60s Vegas showroom shows is inorganic. Some good tunes, tho.
Water For Elephants (Elice/Pigpen Theatre Co.) ⭐️⭐️
Spectacle is an element in any stage piece and this one has circus spectacle built into its fabric. Unfortunately, it trades in circus clichés: nefarious ringmaster, abused animal exacts revenge. And the narrator/flashback framing device: cliché.
Spectacle is an element in any stage piece and this one has circus spectacle built into its fabric. Unfortunately, it trades in circus clichés: nefarious ringmaster, abused animal exacts revenge. And the narrator/flashback framing device: cliché.
November 13, 2024 at 1:48 PM
Water For Elephants (Elice/Pigpen Theatre Co.) ⭐️⭐️
Spectacle is an element in any stage piece and this one has circus spectacle built into its fabric. Unfortunately, it trades in circus clichés: nefarious ringmaster, abused animal exacts revenge. And the narrator/flashback framing device: cliché.
Spectacle is an element in any stage piece and this one has circus spectacle built into its fabric. Unfortunately, it trades in circus clichés: nefarious ringmaster, abused animal exacts revenge. And the narrator/flashback framing device: cliché.
If/Then (Kitt/Yorkey) ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Though it has an interesting conceit (one woman’s two possible lives), it’s the conceit itself that prevents it from delivering satisfying story. Why should we care about the main character to follow her on 2 paths? The score is cohesive and has some nice pop/rock grooves.
Though it has an interesting conceit (one woman’s two possible lives), it’s the conceit itself that prevents it from delivering satisfying story. Why should we care about the main character to follow her on 2 paths? The score is cohesive and has some nice pop/rock grooves.
November 13, 2024 at 1:30 PM
If/Then (Kitt/Yorkey) ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Though it has an interesting conceit (one woman’s two possible lives), it’s the conceit itself that prevents it from delivering satisfying story. Why should we care about the main character to follow her on 2 paths? The score is cohesive and has some nice pop/rock grooves.
Though it has an interesting conceit (one woman’s two possible lives), it’s the conceit itself that prevents it from delivering satisfying story. Why should we care about the main character to follow her on 2 paths? The score is cohesive and has some nice pop/rock grooves.
Annie (Meehan/Strouse/Charnin)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Who would have thought a musical based on a comic strip orphan of the 30s could be so satisfyingly resonant?! Masterful song spotting, tuneful score, smartly drawn characters. Comedy, drama, heart. PS- No filmed version has captured the magic of the stage piece.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Who would have thought a musical based on a comic strip orphan of the 30s could be so satisfyingly resonant?! Masterful song spotting, tuneful score, smartly drawn characters. Comedy, drama, heart. PS- No filmed version has captured the magic of the stage piece.
November 13, 2024 at 1:24 PM
Annie (Meehan/Strouse/Charnin)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Who would have thought a musical based on a comic strip orphan of the 30s could be so satisfyingly resonant?! Masterful song spotting, tuneful score, smartly drawn characters. Comedy, drama, heart. PS- No filmed version has captured the magic of the stage piece.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Who would have thought a musical based on a comic strip orphan of the 30s could be so satisfyingly resonant?! Masterful song spotting, tuneful score, smartly drawn characters. Comedy, drama, heart. PS- No filmed version has captured the magic of the stage piece.
Ragtime Ahrens/Flaherty/McNally) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 13, 2024 at 1:15 PM
Ragtime Ahrens/Flaherty/McNally) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️