Call Me Madam

See it if you like Encores--orchestra is wonderful, great performances in a show that doesn't really hold up. That said, it was an enjoyable evening.

Don't see it if you don't like old fashioned shows, want something edgy or with more depth. Cusack good but not larger than life. Take it for what it is.

See it if You enjoy being thoroughly entertained with a full orchestra and delightful staging and choreography of an old musical.

Don't see it if You want a perfect stand-in for Merman. Carmen Cusack is very likable, yet not a force of Ms. Merman, Patti Lapone, or Annaleigh Ashford

See it if charming Irving Berlin score w several classic tunes/e.g., Lovely Day Today; normal Encores superb dancing and orchestra

Don't see it if thin silly plot; big hole in cast: Carmen Cusack tho engaging as lead does not have the voice or the “brass” to carry the show

See it if Like old fashioned musicals. This one is better than some critics like the NY Times would mislead you to believe. Nice songs.

Don't see it if Want a complex story. A lead that can belt out the tunes the way they were written to be. I.E Merman. Cusack good but not brassy enough.

See it if for some delightful talent, familiar tunes and the joy of a never produced work; choreography and duets of the young lovers worth it all.

Don't see it if you expect a charismatic Sally who creates irresistible chemistry with her lover and the rest of the production; costumes accurate to period

Also This show needs a real Broadway Dame to lead the show and make the story and the relationships catch fire. That doesn't happen. Every note is delivered perfectly but that isn't enough. Lots of great voices and funny actor/performers on stage but the show just didn't take off.... Read more Read less

See it if Socialite becomes an ambassador but doesn't know foreign policy. Fun dance scenes to elegant music and cute predictable budding love stories

Don't see it if Light on plot, didn't feel relevant to today, romantic American nostalgia (if you're white, glamorous, and rich), uses European stereotypes

Also Ticket from box office for $35.

See it if you want to just get and be entertained by good choreography, voices and costumes

Don't see it if you don't like old fashioned shows, or want something cutting edge with more depth

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 are either an Encores! or Carmen Cusack fan.

Don't see it if you dislike dated musicals about politics.

Also This was just fine. Not outstanding, not terrible. Ben Davis and Lauren Worsham were both wonderful.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a classic musical done by Broadway-caliber actors, in a gentle political satire

Don't see it if You'll be bored by dated songs; the music is quite dull. You want to go for Carol Kane, who's only in it for 5 min.

See it if you like Berlin's music and Great Singing. There are some very cute and catchy tunes. Terrific choreography​.

Don't see it if you want to see a comedy with a bare minimum of story tension. There is practically none in the entire show. Feels more like reading a diary

Also Even though the music is good, it really does nothing to either further or to create a plot. At any point you can stop watching and have very little to be curious about what will happen next. Bland.... 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 enjoy beautiful singing. The cast is great and the songs and the orchestra sound wonderful

Don't see it if You dislike slower shows with little action or excitement. The songs are pretty but most don't further the plot

See it if You like old-school musicals with fun and pleasing but fluffy songs.

Don't see it if You want to be deeply engaged or truly moved by a musical. You need a show with a strong book.

See it if you enjoy politically referenced stories albeit a bit dated. some solid supporting roles

Don't see it if well sculpted interesting shows that entertain and come to a point

See it if You’ve never seen it before and like lots of corn with your musicals.

Don't see it if You’ve ever seen it before; this show relies on a brassy lead; she had either exhausted her voice or didn’t have it to start with.

Also I have a lot of patience for and joy in old musicals, but this production was just sad. Still there are some wonderful Irving Berlin’s songs.... Read more Read less

See it if You would see Carol Kane in anything and if you love Randy Rainbow. The male lead was also very good. Good dancing and voices, but dated.

Don't see it if This is a creaky Berlin musical. I wished for the Merman or Daly version and was not bowled over. I'm glad I saw it as an historical piece

See it if Fabulous choreography, some old standards

Don't see it if If you expect Merman or Tyne Daley, you woll be disappointed. Not one of Encores! Best.

See it if you want to see some warm, wonderful performances, especially from Carmen Cusack and Lauren Worsham.

Don't see it if you've already seen any other show from this era. It follows the formula for the plot points of a love story but it doesn't have any stakes.

See it if You don't mind a boring and dated plot and production. Didn't engage me except for one number. Left at intermission. Tons of people left.

Don't see it if Expecting a great show.

See it if you enjoy all Encores as a history piece and saying you've seen a production of a rarely done show.

Don't see it if You're expecting a stand out star performance. Cusak is lovely but hardly the bulldozer required for the role.

See it if you like stale political satire, historical musicals, or Irving Berlin. A fine revival of a very dated musical with a couple great numbers.

Don't see it if You don't feel the need for a predictable, slightly sexist comedy set in a poor duchy in Europe. It was fine, just very unmodern.

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 you want to see a second-rate production of a third-rate musical.

Don't see it if you saw the previous revival with Tyne Daly. This one pales in comparison.

Also Why Encores! decided to revive this musical for the second time baffles me. It is a cub-par Irving Berlin show. It is missing a larger-than-life leading actress and a good, solid director.... Read more Read less

See it if You like to see “rarely” produced classic musicals. Encores always pleases.

Don't see it if You’re expecting the “magic” of a musical designed specifically for the bombastic Ethel Merman.

Also While Ms. Cusak is a terrific singer and performer, she just wasn’t the bigger than life performer that the part calls for.
Still a very entertaining evening.... Read more Read less