Christmas in Hell NYC Reviews and Tickets
Member Reviews (106)
See it if you'd like a musical comedy w a twist. A send-up of tradl holiday fare, CIH still imparts a sweet message. A wild ride from start to finish.
Don't see it if you dislike skewering of religion. CIH's funny, but some jokes fall flat/in bad taste. Great set, costumes, band. Hard-working talented cast
See it if If you want a show that tries really hard to be funny.
Don't see it if If you want a York, usual high quality production. If you want a good Christmas show.
See it if you're curious about the title, to discover the work of a composer-lyricist-librettist, enjoy nonsense plots & overwrought characterizations
Don't see it if you like musicals with peppy numbers, memorable music & mature lyrics, don't like foul language & broad depictions of Satan & Charles Manson
See it if ur in the mood for a silly, unpolished, holiday-adjacent show that aspires to be South Park/Simpsons but lands more like middling SNL skits.
Don't see it if you've enjoyed York's typically reliable, high-quality productions & expect the same from this overlong, trite, awkward, unedited misfire. Read more
See it if York gives Apple's 'Hell' a top notch polished production although it's only an extended musical sketch Has funny moments w/ clever premise
Don't see it if Despite it's DIY/Fringe quality, Apple - book, music & lyrics - could have used another set of eyes (esp in music dept) Able cast works hard
See it if The plot is easy not too much to think, so its light and refreshing.
Don't see it if if you want a serious show, and one of the songs use the F work. Read more
See it if you are looking for an enjoyable evening full of laugh out loud moments and completely enjoyable.
Don't see it if you are offended by religious themed comedies. Read more
See it if you are looking for a show about Christmas, but don't have any sentimental attachment to the holiday whatsoever. Set is very clever.
Don't see it if Foul language and potty humor offend, especially at this time of year. It's irreverent, and unnecessarily so. Castellino kept it alive!
Critic Reviews (14)
"A show must have a minimum of internal logic and some good tunes. 'Christmas in Hell' comes up short on both counts...Lucifer appears only in the second act, which is regrettable...Williams excels at portraying overconfident egomaniacs...A lot happens, none of it memorable except perhaps to dedicated fans of inept musicals...And so the show goes, stumbling from one scene to the next with no evidence of coherence, shoehorning songs that advance neither plot nor characterization."
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“The comedy musical, ‘Christmas In Hell’...bringing plenty of laughs from the crowds with ridiculous musical numbers all done with a live band...While the tale is funny, with hilarious songs...the musical isn't only here for a good laugh. It deals with family, especially the tight bond a child has with his father. In the midst of all the silliness, this show presents a solid understanding of unconditional love and the lengths we go for those we care about the most.”
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"Unfortunately, a fifty-five-year-old bakery item is fresher than some of the gags on offer here...'Christmas in Hell' pretends to be delightfully transgressive, but that's not pine cones and holly berries you smell, it's desperation...The best thing I can say about Bill Castellino's production is that it is filled with enthusiasm; this is especially true of the cast."
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"The holiday season is in for an irreverent satirizing in Gary Apple's musical comedy 'Christmas in Hell,' a rude and entertaining fable for adults. With book, music and lyrics by Apple, a writer/producer for television, the show now being produced by The York Theatre Company is a diverting antidote to all the mindlessly clichéd holiday cheer that is everywhere. With some clever lyrics, hummable tunes and a colorful cast of characters, 'Christmas in Hell' is a delightful little musical parody."
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“A lightweight musical that’s more than a little naughty...An ode to an off kilter Christmas that gets wicked before it goes right...Despite Apple’s comedy writing background, there really aren’t enough laughs...The cast has a good time...Their enthusiasm goes a long way towards making up for the lackluster lyrics and thin story...’Christmas in Hell’ isn’t the most subtle or sophisticated of shows, but what holiday isn’t made better by giving the sacred an unholy kick in the ass?”
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"Not that 'Christmas in Hell' doesn't have something going for it. Its score is catchy, its ensemble contains several standouts, its attempts at off-color holiday humor occasionally score, it has eye-catchingly amusing costumes…and wigs…and it gets a lively, over-the-top staging…'Christmas in Hell' is mildly enjoyable holiday nonsense but, at a bit less than two hours, it goes on too long and gets more laughs from its hard-working performers than its contents."
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“A delightful show that celebrates the holidays with tongue securely in cheek. It keeps you chuckling from start to finish, with catchy tunes, bright colors, and clever lyrics...’Christmas in Hell’ is happily and unapologetically theatrical...It’s lighthearted and effective...In the same spirit, the actors wring every drop of humor out of each lyric. They are clearly having a great time, which is 90% of what makes comedy work.”
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“A cheeky new addition to holiday theatrical offerings...The York deserves kudos for going out on a limb and pushing the envelope with this humdinger of a show...As quirky as it is, there are also touching moments...Although it starts as an edgy and irreverent piece, ‘Christmas in Hell’ has trouble securing its footing and comedic tone...Could be trimmed...Destined to become a perennial classic? Likely not, But it is a pleasant one that breathes fresh life into the standard Christmas story."
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