Finian's Rainbow
Closed 2h 0m
Finian's Rainbow
82

Finian's Rainbow NYC Reviews and Tickets

82%
(95 Ratings)
Positive
87%
Mixed
12%
Negative
1%
Members say
Great singing, Delightful, Entertaining, Enchanting, Dated

About the Show

Irish Rep revives its adaptation of the classic E.Y. Harburg Burton Lane musical with Tony-nominee Melissa Errico reprising her role as Sharon. Hit songs include "Old Devil Moon" and "If This Isn't Love."

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Show-Score Member Reviews (95)

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50 Reviews | 20 Followers
98
Delightful, Enchanting, Great singing, Great acting

See it if A classic musical with pared-down staging, sung by engaging actors with gorgeous voices. dialogue is relevant to today's political climate

Don't see it if You prefer full-scale productions of musicals

56 Reviews | 19 Followers
98
Enchanting, Entertaining, Funny, Dated, Romantic

See it if You love old musicals that still have a lively pulse, fun characters, great singable songs from B. Lane and Harburg, Irish legends, and love

Don't see it if don't want to come out of the theatre humming most of the score, are thrilled with lessons on race or to see great performances by Errico. Read more

139 Reviews | 75 Followers
95
Delightful, Great singing, Great writing, Profound, Relevant

See it if You love great songs by uniformly wonderful singers, fun dancing and a surprisingly relevant theme

Don't see it if You are expecting a leprechaun play without irony. You are anti-immigrant or racist; on second thought please go see it. Read more

140 Reviews | 24 Followers
95
Enchanting, Great singing, Refreshing, Resonant, Delightful

See it if You're a fan of classic American musicals. Some of the most gorgeous songs written for the stage, sung by a wonderful cast.

Don't see it if You like elaborate costumes and sets. This is a small production.

261 Reviews | 70 Followers
95
Delightful, Enchanting, Great singing, Romantic, Entertaining

See it if This small stage intimate production is perfect for this sweet fairy tale with a gorgeous score and delightful ensemble

Don't see it if U hate cuts that are nonetheless very judicious and truly make the show better. Antidote to toxic political season we have just survived

257 Reviews | 26 Followers
95
Great singing, Must see, Delightful, Enchanting, Entertaining

See it if You love musical comedy with superb performances and songs you already know.

Don't see it if You don't like dated shows even if they resonate today.

101 Reviews | 31 Followers
93
Clever, Delightful, Great singing, Must see, Enchanting

See it if you love great singing and small venue performances with big talent

Don't see it if you don't like musicals and prefer more contemporary productions.

72 Reviews | 40 Followers
92
Delightful, Enchanting, Tuneful, Funny, Pure magic

See it if you love the score...or any musical theater. Great writing, perfect cast, engaging ensemble and great small orchestra...and Errico rocks!

Don't see it if Can't think of a reason to miss it...unless you hate musicals. Worth it just for un-miked voices and orchestra in a small theater.

Critic Reviews (25)

The New York Times
November 6th, 2016

"Ms. Errico is, if anything, even more persuasive as Sharon, an Irish lass newly arrived on American soil, than when I saw her in the role a dozen years ago...The score, by Burton Lane and E. Y. Harburg, is one of the most enduringly delicious ever concocted for an American musical. The book, by Mr. Harburg and Fred Saidy, is more perishable, a mix of high whimsy and topical satire...Ms. Moore has come up with a very companionable interpretation."
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Time Out New York
November 7th, 2016

"Plotwise, it's sentimental blarney...The glorious songs—which make up most of the two-hour run time thanks to director Charlotte Moore's judicious book cuts—should win you over...The 13, un-amplfied cast members are in superb voice throughout...There's no denying that this is a modest mounting due to the company's budget and small stage...And yet, this seems to be the ideal way to experience 'Finian's' ample charms."
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New York Theatre Guide
November 8th, 2016

"The plot is convoluted and doesn’t bear close scrutiny by today’s standards...It doesn't hold up. Seventy years later I squirmed in my seat...There is no chemistry between Ryan Silverman and Melissa Errico, and they both seem to be phoning it in...It doesn’t help that Moore’s laissez-faire directing allows the actors to practically ignore each other during their love scenes. What saves the day was the rest of the talented cast, especially the outstanding performance by Mark Evans as Og."
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New York Theatre Guide
November 21st, 2016

"Even in Irish Rep’s less-than-perfect rendering, the material resonates as it hasn’t in years. Alas, 'Finian’s Rainbow' is relevant again...It’s one of the most left-leaning classic musicals around, and seeing it, you can understand why Harburg was blacklisted not long after. In Irish Rep’s staging, though, some of the book goes missing, and the political arguments are somewhat devitalized...Luckily, it’s one of the great scores...'Finian's Rainbow' once again speaks directly and eloquently."
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The Wall Street Journal
November 10th, 2016

"So delightful that the run of the show has already been extended...Moore requested and received permission to drastically revise the show...All that’s left is its bare bones. This puts the score right where it belongs, at center stage, and it does so without destroying the dramatic continuity that’s needed to make the show cohere....You won’t hear better singing—or better songs—on any New York stage...All of the songs in the show make the strongest possible impression."
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Deadline
November 7th, 2016

"Moore has fashioned a fleet, intimate (if occasionally disjointed) 2-hour version of the show, and the cast is charming. The star is Errico, who has a gorgeous voice and who previously partnered with Silverman in 'Passion.' They sing wonderfully, but the pairing is not as felicitous here...They struck me as mismatched and unsparked. I also wish Moore had deployed her fine actors with a little more attention to one another...Look at one another! You’re adorable!"
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NY1
November 11th, 2016

"If the trimmed book seems rather incoherent now, the glorious score, sung so beautifully here, more than makes up for any narrative shortcomings...While Harburg and Fred Saidy’s book deserves praise for its combination of whimsy and a socially responsible message, it’s also pretty convoluted. That likely explains why director Moore focused her attentions on the music...Each number is a thoroughly crafted gem...And the company, cast for their sublime voices, sing their hearts out."
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Theatermania
November 6th, 2016

"Moore captures the magic within Burton Lane, Yip Harburg, and Fred Saidy's 1947 classic with great immediacy...A scrappy affair that captures the heart and soul of the material without going over the top...Best of all, the compactness of this production allows the company to perform the matchless score unamplified...With Errico, Silverman, Grovey, and company front and center, sounding like a cast of 50 rather than 13, this 'Finian's Rainbow' is downright glorious."
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