Enter Laughing: The Musical NYC Reviews and Tickets
About the Show
Based on Carl Reiner’s semi-autobiographical novel and Joseph Stein’s stage adaptation, this comic musical careens through the misadventures of a star-struck, stage-struck, woman-struck teenager in 1930s New York.
Member Reviews (206)
See it if You’re in the mood for a very well done, silly, old fashioned, farcical, toe tapper. Full of talent and heart and jokes that make you groan.
Don't see it if You’re looking for high brow art. This is fun stuff not really crude but not exactly what you’d call sophisticated either. Read more
See it if you want to escape. EL is more a revue than a musical. Lots of songs, most of them good. Strg perfs, esply lead Chris Dwan. Clever staging.
Don't see it if you want substance. EL is light-as-air. Songs don't move plot...just fun interruptions. Women outdated stereotypes. Gd music by piano/bass.
See it if you want to enjoy an excellent version of an older musical that entertains from start to finish with song and laughter by a talented cast.
Don't see it if you want something up-to-date as this is set in the 1930's and you have to acquaint yourself with the people (easily done in the program).
See it if A few funny moments can’t save this one. Weak story and average performances. It would have been better at 80 min, no intermission.
Don't see it if You don’t like old-timey feeling musicals.
See it if Hilarious farce about working class Jewish boy smitten w/acting. Superb physical humor. The audience was in stitches. Delightful music.
Don't see it if You don’t like slapstick, even when it’s very well done. Makes fun of theater people. There isn’t a serious moment in the show.
See it if you haven't seen it. It is a classic musical comedy very well done with a talented cast and excellent direction. A fun evening!
Don't see it if silly humor and old jokes make you cringe.
See it if you enjoy a very entertaining and funny show. Good performances by talented cast. Nicely staged. Second act even better than first.
Don't see it if you like musicals with lush score.Most of the songs not memorable but are very well sung with clever lyrics.
See it if A show with a lot of fun, to take your cares away. Young man wants to be a actor with a lot of fun during his trying.
Don't see it if If you dislike the time period. Read more
Critic Reviews (21)
“Feast of musical-comedy comfort food...It comes across a little too bland, despite a terrific ensemble and several numbers that really pop. The most delightful comedy here is in the musical moments...There is a bagginess to that first act, and a flatness to the climax of the second. That has to do with some of the book scenes...Even so, it’s a likable, easy show. Whatever went wrong with it on Broadway, a whole lot has gone right this time."
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"Borscht Belt silliness...Some nostalgia for juvenile, pre-PC shenanigans is admittedly required...Stein's gag-filled book and Daniels' klezmer-meets-musical-comedy score flirt with raunchiness, but it’s pretty innocent stuff...Dwan isn't a farce of nature like his predecessor in the role, Josh Grisetti; he's certainly amusing, especially in the second act, but he doesn't steal every scene, which gives others a chance to shtick it out of the park."
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“A shameless hokefest that crossbreeds 1930s nostalgia, Jewish domestic comedy, and backstage farce to often-irresistible effect...It stares you down, daring you not to laugh, knowing full well that it holds the winning hand...With an impeccable pedigree of two great comedy writers and a bouncy score by a songwriter who also wrote for many leading sitcoms, it should keep the York's audience in stitches for the length of its run."
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"It's a simple comic idea that goes on for many, maybe too many, verses...The comic possibilities in such a framework are bountiful enough, and this production makes the most of them, with a splendid cast and fine direction, by Stuart Ross, that teases out and amplifies the laughs...It's perfectly cast, expertly staged, so why am I holding back the love? Well, the story is small, the characters on the simplistic side, and two and a half hours a long time to spend with them."
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"You’re bound to get a few good giggles from this old-fashioned–and–proud musical...Daniels’ lyrics are 'Enter Laughing’s' best asset. (Joseph Stein’s book, based on his own 1963 play, which in turn is based on Carl Reiner’s semiautobiographical novel, is serviceable but a trifle stale.)"
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"This fifth production again directed by Ross has to compete with memories of the utterly hilarious 2008-9 production which included George S. Irving, Jill Eikenberry, Michael Tucker, Ray DeMattis and made a star of newcomer Josh Grisetti as young David. The current cast is not quite as accomplished as the previous York company but the show remains a winning piece of musical comedy entertainment."
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“Successfully and charmingly revived...This expert cast is genuinely effervescent and highly entertaining as directed with fizzy wizardry by Stuart Ross. Sophisticated it isn’t, but it sure is funny. Although ‘Enter Laughing’ is undeniably a product of its era, the jokes still land, thanks to the gifted cast...And every player gets a chance to shine...There’s plenty to entertain theatergoers of all ages.”
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"Chris Dwan, an endearingly rubber-faced and agile young performer is a pleasure to watch and root for...Unlike many a new musical, all the songs are tuneful and typical of a passé genre in the best way...The costumes by Tyler M. Holland are mostly a hoot while the lighting by Ken Billington and Jason Kantrowitz contribute to make 'Enter Laughing' a wonderful mix of old-fashioned musical comedy, fantasy and honesty."
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