Backbeard: The New Musical (NYMF) NYC Reviews and Tickets

90%

(8 Reviews)

Positive

100%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Entertaining, Delightful, Clever, Funny, Great singing

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?"

When a rowdy birthday party ruins his clothes, a pair of persuasive tailors convince him to try a vibrant new outfit of patterned trousers, a colorful coat, and a pig. Now the fearsome pirate must face his greatest challenges—winning the acceptance of the Pirate Council, the townspeople, and even his own crew—in a high-spirited story of courage, acceptance, and standing up for who you are. An official selection of the 2017 New York Musical Festival Next Link Project. Recommended for ages 3 and up.

Member Reviews (8)

Funny, Great acting, Entertaining

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.

100

Absorbing, Clever, Delightful, Entertaining, Enchanting

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

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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