On the Twentieth Century NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (135)
See it if you are a Kristen Chenoweth fan, enjoy farce, and are looking for an evening of lighthearted amusement.
Don't see it if you want something contemporary or serious.
See it if you like good old-fashioned musical comedy/farce; a fun night of entertainment.
Don't see it if you dislike heightened comedy or characters that are not realistic or completely fleshed out
See it if you like musical revivals.
Don't see it if you don't like Kristin Chenoweth Read more
See it if Kristen C. Pure musical fun.
Don't see it if Looking for the original ... so many great are gone including Madeline Kahn and Imogene Coca
See it if You love delightful and light-hearted farcical showbiz comedies. The performances were outstanding.
Don't see it if You prefer more serious plots and minimalist production designs.
See it if Great singing, Kristen Chenoweth, fun songs, trains, costumes
Don't see it if Nothing
See it if you enjoy Kristin Chenoweth, who completely stole the show.
Don't see it if You don't like old school musicals.
See it if you enjoy revivals that stay true to the original. Kristin Chenoweth was everything you could possibly want from a leading lady.
Don't see it if you don't enjoy classic, old school Broadway musicals.
Critic Reviews (31)
"It’s obvious that the company went all out in putting together this star-studded show...'On the Twentieth Century' is far from being subtle, but boy does it have fun making its point...As directed by Scott Ellis, the show takes its time finding its pace...It makes you completely forget about the world outside for a few minutes, and while life is indeed nothing like a train, you can’t help but want to chug along with them."
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“'On The Twentieth Century' turns out to be one of the funniest and most entertaining shows on Broadway...an electrifying mix of the glamorous and the hilarious...Director Scott Ellis and choreographer Warren Carlyle make the most of both the slapstick mayhem and the razzmatazz, sometimes simultaneously."
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"It’s tough to love a musical with such unexceptional songs...Without a first-class score to bolster the madcappery, even an engine as forceful as the Twentieth Century’s sometimes runs out of steam."
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“'On the Twentieth Century' isn’t a great musical, but it does offer great opportunities for actors to prove why they’re stars – or not stars...Comden and Green’s book inspires more smiles than belly laughs, and Coleman’s music borrows from everybody but himself at his best. 'On the Twentieth Century' needs stars, and for the most part this production delivers them express."
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"Fizzy, fabulous new revival...In this production, directed with giddy virtuosity by Scott Ellis, every player seems perfectly cast...this 'Twentieth Century' makes old-fashioned musical comedy magic feel entirely fresh."
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"If, indeed, the 1978 musical-comedy has been saving itself for just the right mad screwball alchemy, then, all right, this was worth the wait. Ego, love and the lovingly egomaniacal theatricality of theater people are the subjects of the Roundabout Theatre Company's breathlessly charming revival of a show about which, I admit, I never before have felt the slightest bit bonkers...Lovely, all lovely."
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"'On the 20th Century' is a unique work. And in the Roundabout’s polished, lavish production, it’s a delight...It’s churlish to complain in the face of such a funny, tuneful, extravagant-looking work—one that was written after the golden age but behaves like a golden age classic. Musical comedy is back in town, hooray!
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"The show has a solid base. But this production, with an ideal cast and inventive direction by Scott Ellis, just takes off, surging like the 20th Century Limited train on which it's set. Considering it has the most meager of stories, it's amazing how locked in we get...A grand solo number 'Repent' signifies the nonstop pleasures of the show. It doesn't advance the story, but that doesn't matter because it's such a hoot entirely on its own. Like the whole evening, it's just fun."
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