Baghdaddy
Closed 2h 10m
Baghdaddy
83

Baghdaddy NYC Reviews and Tickets

83%
(229 Ratings)
Positive
93%
Mixed
6%
Negative
1%
Members say
Clever, Funny, Entertaining, Thought-provoking, Relevant

About the Show

Baghdaddy begins in a support group for the disgraced spies who helped start the Iraq War, and quickly escalates into a manic musical comedy where the characters tell their stories and search for redemption. 

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Show-Score Member Reviews (229)

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76 Reviews | 10 Followers
97
Absorbing, Edgy, Great writing, Thought-provoking, Intelligent

See it if you are a thinking human being, or if you just love great theater.

Don't see it if No possible reason not to see it - even if you are apolitical the great writing, and singing, dancing and acting, demand your involvement Read more

435 Reviews | 60 Followers
96
Absorbing, Clever, Entertaining, Funny, Profound

See it if want your thoughts provoked in a tremendously entertaining way.

Don't see it if don't to have to think about the world.

69 Reviews | 25 Followers
92
Delightful, Great writing, Intelligent, Must see, Entertaining

See it if you like smart, well-written, AND fun musicals!

Don't see it if you don't think you could find real-life farce related to Iraq funny in any way

147 Reviews | 39 Followers
92
Ambitious, Clever, Funny, Spirited, Relevant

See it if Terrific talent, from writing to acting. About who caused Iraq War (and the moral is: everybody). Fresh, funny and wonderfully staged.

Don't see it if Yes, it's political, and you'll think of America's current political mess. So if you're looking for a brainless romp, keep looking.

350 Reviews | 163 Followers
91
Clever, Entertaining, Thought-provoking, Relevant, Great staging

See it if you like theater can both entertain and challenge your thinking. I will be thinking about this one long after, but it was also a lot of fun!

Don't see it if you are simply looking for a fluff piece and don't like theater that is topical or political Read more

334 Reviews | 37 Followers
90
Great acting, Ambitious, Entertaining, Great staging

See it if great acting and staging, a musical with depth,

Don't see it if small intimate theaters

105 Reviews | 58 Followers
90
Clever, Intelligent, Relevant, Ambitious, Entertaining & fun

See it if you like shows on important topics, or campy musicals, or just want to be entertained. This is a crowd pleaser on all fronts!

Don't see it if you want a high-budget production. (FYI: They do a great job on a limited, off-Broadway budget & the cast really gives it their all!) Read more

75 Reviews | 25 Followers
90
Resonant, Relevant, Intelligent, Hilarious

See it if if you like the Daily Show, Avenue Q, or The Onion. It's the lovechild of those three things.

Don't see it if you want to turn off your brain. It's a really, really smart show, and will make you feel smart after watching it. Read more

Critic Reviews (29)

Theatre is Easy
May 3rd, 2017

"One of the crucial issues with 'Baghdaddy' is the tone...It is nearly impossible to address the darkness and gravity of the Iraq War when your actors are bouncing off the ceilings...The actors all give committed performances, but there is very little space for complex characters...I kept searching for unity in the music and book to explain why this story is a musical, I never found it...Whenever the show seems to gain steam...the action veers back towards a song that is simply a distraction."
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Front Row Center
May 2nd, 2017

“A great musical trapped inside of a good musical…The production is sometimes at battle with itself. At its best, it is a touching look at how small, human flaws can escalate toward catastrophe. At its worst, it is sketch comedy, albeit with free donuts and coffee for the audience…Trimming the title was a good idea. Decluttering some of the on-stage action would have been an even better one.”
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Broadway Blog
May 4th, 2017

"I implore you to grab tickets for 'Baghdaddy,' the slick and clever roller-coaster musical...It’s even more potent now than it originally was...The creators handle the difficult aspects of the show with a great deal of respect and dignity...As smart satire often does, it makes the most unbearable circumstances bearable...Pailet has secured most of his 2015 cast, but the newcomers fit beautifully into the show. Shields’ choreography is sharp and inventive, and musically the show soars."
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B
May 1st, 2017

“The talented cast perform with gusto. The music by Marshall Pailet (who also directs) is eclectic, the lyrics by A.D. Penedo are often clever, and the book by both of them is almost consistently lively. The choreography by Misha Shields adds fun…My only quibble is that it could benefit from a slight trim. The play is certainly timely as the prospect of getting into a war by accident seems all too real.”
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DC Metro Theater Arts
May 1st, 2017

"Each member of the cast captures the distinctive personality and motivations of the eminently laughable but ultimately dangerous characters in consistently terrific performances...Zany choreography by Misha Shields brings sidesplitting physicality to the hilarious narrative and score...'Baghdaddy' will have you laughing out loud at its absurdist humor, while shaking your head in horror at the true absurdity of what really happened and the shocking casualties that resulted."
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Act Three - The Reviews
May 4th, 2017

"A good show with a bad name...This magnificently rehearsed and talented cast adds energy, enthusiasm, heart, and soul to the script...The play suffers split personality...It's a bit all over the map but gets the point across. I think it needs some fine tuning and could really be a powerhouse as the concept is really serious and absolutely something that needs to be shown...For now, trust me it's worth the price of admission."
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On Stage Blog
May 4th, 2017

"Some of the smart and sharp lyrics might seem provocative, but they never fall off the edge of good taste and are always true to the characters. The energetic and often ironic choreography and charged performances of the entire cast keep you on the edge of your seat for the entire time...The unobtrusive design and the engagement of the space could be developed further, but who cares about this if you have a bomb of a script and an explosive cast in front of you?"
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R
May 1st, 2017

"The first half is hilarious. It is a musical and political Keystone Cops caper that is presented with the perfect amount of crazy. And then 9/11 hits the narrative and intermission hits the show. The second half is tonally completely different and yet just as perfect...'Baghdaddy' is a marvel. It is the story of a stupid war told with humor and fun, but the correct amount of compassion...Pailet puts his energetic cast through a non-stop emotional ride, and the audience follows with gusto."
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