Backbeard: The New Musical (NYMF) NYC Reviews and Tickets
About the Show
Part of the New York Musical Festival: This rollicking musical tells the tale of Backbeard, the hairiest pirate who ever lived, and his quest to answer the question, "How should a pirate look?"
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See it if you want to see an amusing children's show with good songs that is entertaining enough for adults too.
Don't see it if don't like shows based on children's books.
See it if You love roaring pirates with a lot of passion!
Don't see it if You have a heart that's cold and black
See it if You have kids or a sense of humor!
Don't see it if You Don't like humor that's accessible to all ages
See it if You like funny, thoughtful productions with color, inventive staging, and great talent
Don't see it if You don't like musicals
See it if You are seeking charming, family-friendly fun.
Don't see it if A dark night of philosophical torture.
See it if You love both classical and contemporary musical theater! The score is a beautiful blend of the old and new sound.
Don't see it if Hate pirates.
See it if You are embracing differences , and open to the different perceptions of "reality". I enjoyed every second of the play.
Don't see it if If you are conservative and no willingness to accept that norms are created with and expiration date.
See it if You like musicals.
Don't see it if Don't like musicals Read more
Critic Reviews (5)
"This one is strictly for kids, with eye-popping sight gags and exaggerated winks to charm the youngest theatergoers...It's pretty enjoyable and thoroughly harmless, appropriately lacking in foul language and coarse innuendo that parents will have to explain later. The music is a rollicking assortment of sea shanties and surprisingly lovely ballads, while the lyrics are simple and rhyming...The company is a bit of a mixed bag, but Kieffer is faultless in the title role."
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"A children’s show that adults will also enjoy. It’s delightful on every level...The book is a witty, smart and sharp take on pirate lore laced with a child’s sense of individuality, tolerance and inclusivity...The lyrics are quite accomplished and chock-full of crafty rhymes...Musial’s euphorically tuneful music completes the marvelous score...This sparkling presentation could transfer intact anywhere and enchant audiences of all ages."
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"The entire audience wanted to be a pirates after seeing this boisterous production, pulling out all the stops by conjuring up all sorts of pirate lore with a terrific score supporting quite a sweet story...The show’s pace and theme are enhanced by swashbuckling songs with lyrics so incredibly witty, they earned more laughs than the spoken script...More notable was the performance of the cast...Kiefer was perfect as the hairy sailor Backbeard."
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"This seriously adorable and well-staged musical captivated the children and the adults in the audience...Kieffer is heartwarming as the oversize pirate whose feelings he wears on his sleeve...The book incorporates things kids love such as fighting and all those bodily functions that thrill and excite. The language is relatable and kept a theater full of kids entertained and tuned in for over 70 minutes. The music is tuneful, touching and uplifting."
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"A kid-friendly, rollicking musical...The 70-minute romp is spirited and wacky. It also revels in its kid-targeted gross humor factor...It’s all in good fun, and much fun was had by the quite full crowd...The tirelessly peppy cast, very well-drilled-in-movement/choreography (Michael Whitney) jumped, danced, strutted, trotted, marched, and grinned...Cheery, lively, appropriate yet varied music."
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