“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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"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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"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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