See it if you like shows that are topical yet light and fun at the same time. This is one of those rare shows that is fluffy yet has a good message.
Don't see it if you don't care about women's issues or politics in general. This is very light but it's still got a meaty (almost SPAM-like) core.
See it if you like polished productions. Strong voices, well-staged numbers, great all-female band. Moving reminders of: you've come a long way, baby.
Don't see it if you require a strong book; it's more a concert show. Still, its message is moving. In a decade (1957-67) women's lives changed radically. Read more
See it if you like to see women learning empowerment, a 50's & 60's inspired original score, strong cast with great dancing & all-female band
Don't see it if 50's and 60's set shows don't inspire you, you don't like simplistic approaches to women's issues, dated humor or exaggerated performances
See it if you enjoy a good time based on great singing and sharply observed details. All the performers including the band are marvelous.
Don't see it if hearing words coming too quickly is difficult. Some of the lyrics are sung at rapid speeds . You will still understand the subjects.
See it if Pedestrian staging & choreography fail to dim 4 zesty leading ladies and their quest for fufilling destinies in turbulent 1950's - 60's
Don't see it if Nothing new in material but done with panache & verve by entertaining B'way musical vets Usually capable choreographer Latarro missteps here
See it if A picture postcard of women's lives in the 1950's and the late 1960's. Wonderful costumes, hairdos and set design !
Don't see it if You are looking for a deep and or serious show. This is most definitely NOT that ! If you don't enjoy sashaying down memory lane !
See it if you enjoy clever pastiches of the 50's. Details are very well done. Four very talented performers.
Don't see it if musical cliches are not your thing.
See it if You enjoy an all female cast discussing the state of the world through their own lenses, with song, sass, and heart. Great voices. Funny.
Don't see it if You don't like your plays a little raunchy. Or a little cliche- but the entertainment value nullifies my feelings about the story.
"The show enters that familiar theatrical territory of change among friends over time, and you can just sit back and wait for the inevitable revelations and confessionals. None are especially profound, and nostalgia trips to the 1950s and ’60s have been so numerous in recent years that a lot of what’s here seems tired and perfunctory. But the energetic performances, directed and choreographed by Lorin Latarro, are something to savor, and so are the harmonies."
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"An empowering tale receiving its premiere at the perfect time in our nation's history...Though the script is thin, the secrets not so surprising, and the central conflict too easily resolved, the writers have supplemented their dialogue with a flavorsome score of tunes that expertly shift in style with the times...Under the direction of veteran Broadway choreographer Lorin Latarro, the four-member cast perform their roles with zest."
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"York's fun and frothy new entry features a dynamite cast and enough tuneful cleverness for a brightly entertaining evening...The thin plot has the quartet whipping up recipes in hopes to grab the $50,000 grand prize in a cooking contest, but it's just an excuse to explore the dynamics of their friendships...May not be the most sophisticated entertainment in town, but with its modest production requirements and lively spirit, it should wind up becoming a popular choice for regional theatre."
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"This gals'-night-out entertainment woos its target audience with easy, familiar gags about eras past and peppy musical numbers -- never mind that it's all been said before, with far more wit and invention…The songs tend to sheathe rudimentary lyrics in uptempo melodies that go down easy…The ladies themselves are all winners, giving everything they have to material that doesn't always return the favor…There's no getting around the fact that the taste it offers is remarkably bland."
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"A show that contains a lot less nourishment than it does empty calories…Although there's technically a through line, it's not much more than a flimsy excuse for dispensing watery period-styled songs…It's all peppy, but rather unavoidably pointless…The most successful songs are the two that are more about introspection than pastiche…There's heart in these numbers that's attractive, even moving...The rest of this well-intentioned musical, though, is overbaked."
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"Documenting the influential and crucial decade between the '50's and '60's, Debra Barsha and Hollye Levin's new musical 'A Taste of Things to Come' is a very pointed yet enjoyable exploration of these transformative years for the housewife, told through the eyes of four women who have a common interest in cooking."
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"'A Taste of Things to Come' is a wonderful new musical that has a lot to say about how the times influence our lives, and how slowly progress comes about...The original score by Barsha and Levin is quite exceptional and reflects the tone and popular songs of both decades. The show is thoroughly enjoyable and the cast couldn’t be any more perfect as these four talented performers all shine, and their brilliant performances help us to understand their individual journeys."
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"The plot is predictable as pumpkin pie at a Thanksgiving meal…The show's strength comes from the performers, all of whom have impressive voices and acting know-how…The show is at its best when it sings and dances, since Barsha and Levin have created types rather than fully fleshed-out characters. That said, as helmed and choreographed by Lorin Latarro and performed by the sparkling talent, it offers an enjoyable holiday diversion."
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