Call Me Madam

See it if you want to hear the music of Irving Berlin in a musical spoof on the politics of the 1950's that is still relevant today.

Don't see it if you want a musical with more elaborate sets - the Encore performances focus on the music.

See it if You like the City Center style of presenting musicals and want to experience the music played as it was originally written

Don't see it if You are looking for something modern and non traditional.

Also I love the City Center musicals. Hearing these older shows played as they were originally written is wonderful theater. CMM has a some resonance today with its corny political humor. Carmen Cusak is a gem and good to see her up there giving her take on this. So glad they didn’t try to do an Ethan Merman imitation. This is fun. The folk dance number is hilarious. The only real complaint was the addition of Randy Rainbow. Why was here there. He isn’t a great actor and he doesn’t do much. Even so a small complaint.... Read more Read less

See it if You love old-fashioned Broadway shows with long dance breaks, great singing, and improbable plot resolutions

Don't see it if You want anything edgy or modern, this is pure schmaltz.

See it if If you're a fan of old musicals, accept the Encore style of production (great orchestra, low production values, short run, shorter rehearsal

Don't see it if if you are expecting My Fair Lady or super relevant political commentary, don't like slapstick, want elaborate production.

See it if You love Encores! shows, Carmen Cusak, great singing/dancing. Encores! productions are always charming & fun. Political but still relevant.

Don't see it if You want a fully staged show. Show is dated but has a current feel. A bit sexist, old-fashioned, cliched, & cookie-cutter/predictable.

See it if you love a good score by Berlin and some wonderful voices!

Don't see it if you don't enjoy a nostalgic Musical!

See it if you enjoy Encores and are willing to just be entertained, you like Carmen Cusack even if it takes a while for her to come into her own.

Don't see it if you expect anything that feels relevant, you are put off by old-fashion stereotypes, you can't get into great classic tunes just for fun.

See it if you enjoy an old-fashion tuneful Bway musical.

Don't see it if you do not like an old-fashion Bway musical.

Also Musical vehicles written for Ethel Merman need Ethel Merman. Her sound and her forthrightness are hard to duplicate. An interesting reminder of the world's development is the fact that a woman ambassador was novel, unexpected and insulting to a country in 1950.... Read more Read less

See it if You love Encores! Carmen Cusack and Rob Berman are amazing!!

Don't see it if You do not like classic show, restaged fairly faithfully to the original.

Also Irving Berlin's score is totally beautiful and soothing and incredible. The political satire is interesting, both dated and timely. The choreography is very fun to watch.... Read more Read less

See it if you love old fashioned musicals

Don't see it if if silly stories are not your cup of tea

Also With tunes by Irving Berlin this show should have been a 100.
But the lackluster acting and singing by the female lead (who couldn't always remember her lines) drags down the show.
The songs are wonderful and the choreography is delightful.
See it if you can.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy beautiful music with great singing. Cusack has glorious pipes; Davis is compelling-PLUS Randy Rainbow! though he doesn't sing. ):

Don't see it if you aren't fond of dated material and corny jokes. Or, if you want a big set, and a compelling story. Enjoy listening to the music instead

Also The choreography is marvelous-simply wonderful.

See it if this production was Encores at its best The cast, muxic, the staging-all terrific Don't miss it

Don't see it if you don't like Broadway musicals

See it if you enjoy seeing classic musicals of yesteryear.

Don't see it if you want those musicals to perfectly match your memories or ideals.

Also I love seeing shows at Encores. The more obscure & older the show the better. I love seeing something that I know will never get a full revival so these are special nights for me. While I enjoyed CALL ME MADAM, I don't think this particular play holds up all that well, and this is not one of the better overall productions that Encores has offered. While the play itself is a little stale, that would be forgivable but something about the production lacks the usual energy that Encores puts out. Things get better when the show gets sillier, but as a political satire, a lot of the material isn't too compelling. Conflicts would appear & get resolved without me even noticing. But I did enjoy it for the superb cast. Perhaps Carmen Cusack is too good an actress to play what should be a caricature, but her unique voice was lovely. Most the supporting cast was great as well. I'm very glad I saw this so I could check off another musical box, but I wish I fell in love with the show itself more.... Read more Read less

See it if You love Irving Berlin. You love 40’s fashion

Don't see it if You expect a serious complex plot

See it if You have never seen a production of the show. Some very clever writing and some wonderful (though oft repeated) music by Berlin.

Don't see it if You have seen the movie (or even the original Encores prod.) - you will be disappointed.

See it if you enjoy a delightful romp through history with a sublime Irving Berlin score and great singing and dancing.

Don't see it if you can't appreciate minimalist staging and are unaware of historical references.

Also After leaving the show, my ear worm delightfully festered with Berlin's score as my eyes remembered the sublime choreography. Ben Davis, Jason Gotay, and Lauren Worsham were spectacular. Their songs and voices left a grin on our faces as they hit each note. I would have scored it higher, but Carmen Cusack, although competent, had some difficulty with the songs.... Read more Read less

See it if you like classic musicals.

Don't see it if you don't like classic musicals.

Also Light, breezy, pleasant musical... totally entertaining escapist fun.

See it if You like older, charming musicals with good old-fashioned songs. Most of the cast is strong -Worsham, Gotay and Davis were stand-outs.

Don't see it if You want a realistic story. Also, Randy Rainbow was not a particularly good actor and Cusack's voice had some weaknesses in the top range.

See it if If you'd like to see a fun, joyous, effervescent show with some terrific music.

Don't see it if If you want something profound and political statements given by today's standards.

See it if it has already closed, thank God. This production was dreadful. Carmen Cusack was completely miscast.

Don't see it if the thought of Ben Davis singing out of the left side of his mouth annoys you half as much as it annoyed me. Dreadful. Bad choice, Encores.

See it if love Irving Berlin & would like a flashback to an era where gentle satire was sufficient to capture the most egregious of political faux pas

Don't see it if you dislike predictable plots or minimalist sets

See it if Interesting to see a show that was topical in the post-war years. Solid music and acting.

Don't see it if You don’t like dated stuff.

See it if You respect Berlin and like old musicals that are relics in a time long ago and far away.

Don't see it if You want to see an exciting new show with big sets and inventive out of the box ideas.

See it if Pure fun and fluff, but clever and great classic Berlin score. Carmen Cusack is charming and funny, and her voice is among broadway’s best.

Don't see it if It’s pure 1950’s, musical comedy entertainment. No depth but lots of fun.

See it if See it if you enjoy old musicals with great songs, great music and great dancing. And it's lots of fun to boot.

Don't see it if Don't see it if you don't like old musicals.