Camp Rolling Hills (NYMF) NYC Reviews and Tickets
About the Show
Part of the New York Musical Festival: Relive the days of lanyards, bunk beds, and bug juice in this new tuner about summer camp. Based on Stacy Davidowitz's YA book series.
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See it if You have fond memories of summer camp; you want to see a fluffy musical that's by-the-numbers "find friendship/love at camp" but still fun.
Don't see it if You don't like child actors (even really talented ones), or want to see something that hasn't been done before.
Critic Reviews (6)
“A summer camp musical that means to be more likable than it is. With music by Adam Spiegel; book by his brother David Spiegel and Stacy Davidowitz; and lyrics by all three, it doesn’t aim high enough. The rare surprises were in the performances, including those of Sophia Gennusa and Maizy Boosin, who powered past a pile of clichés to make their BFF campers into flesh-and-blood 12-year-olds.”
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"A truly delightful new musical about pre-teens navigating the choppy waters of romance at sleepaway camp. While the book and score could use some tightening, this piece of work shows a great deal of promise, with a sensibility that appeals to adults just as much as youngsters...Director Jill Jaysen is perfectly in tune with the subversive sense of humor of the authors. As a result, she guides her young cast to outstanding performances."
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"It's simplistic but cute: not really saying anything, but at least always having a smile on its face…The production matches the writers' breezy material...Then something remarkable happened in Act II: 'All the Songs on My iPod'…Combined with its cheesy but self-aware easy-listening melody, when paired with those corny but honest lyrics and Ignacio's unadorned portrayal, it became the highlight of not just 'Camp Rolling Hills,' but of NYMF 2016 overall."
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"A musical about retro-camping could be fun if the book, music and lyrics were sophisticated and interesting. Unfortunately, that is not the case...The members of the cast work their best to enliven their characters. They often seem to be unsure of who they are supposed to be or what their 'problems' are alleged to be...This musical does not tug at the heartstrings. Perhaps much of this difficulty relates to Jill Jaysen’s uninspiring direction as well as to the creators’ efforts."
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"Perfect for community theatre, schools and children’s theatres throughout the country. Unless your child is in the production, it really doesn’t have enough plot or musicality to hold an adult’s attention...The cast is funny and endearing...The book is well-written...The music is catchy...The direction by Jill Jayson keeps the show moving...The perfect show for a place that wants an intelligent children’s musical with a large cast."
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"Spiegel and Davidowitz allow the relationships of the characters to take center stage. But the characters within are brazen stereotypes...Spiegel and Davidowitz’s book is a bit haphazard, experiencing some minor plot holes...Adam Spiegel’s score is sugary but nothing special…The epitome of kid fun...Director Jaysen has great experience guiding a giant cast of kids…The truth of the situation is that it's marketable. There is a future. There is just a lot of work to be done."
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