Forest Boy (NYMF) NYC Reviews and Tickets

77%

(17 Reviews)

Positive

76%

Mixed

18%

Negative

Members say

Absorbing, Original, Thought-provoking, Intense, Great staging

About the Show

Part of the New York Musical Festival: Based on an incredible true story, this new tuner is a modern-day fairy tale about growing up and using your imagination.

On September 5th, 2011, a boy appeared in Berlin claiming to have lived in the forest with his father for the last five years. He had no memory of his past–he only knew his name was Ray and that he traveled to Berlin following the death of his dad. What followed were nine months of speculation, police inquiry, and a global media frenzy, as the mystery of the Forest Boy slowly unraveled. 

Member Reviews (17)

Great acting, Great writing, Great music, Engrossing, Unconventional

See it if you like to be engrossed in a satisfying mystery story and/or you like a beautiful folk-y score.

Don't see it if you're expecting Broadway-level production values--the budget is small but the writing is interesting and the performances are great.

Intimate, Whimsical, Especially interesting cuz it's true

See it if you like workshop musicals with an otherworldly feel. I liked the choreography, and the songs worked well to convey emotion.

Don't see it if you want a polished production or a comfortable theater. Had a high school auditorium feel, but the performers were committed & engaged.

Confusing, Dizzying, Intense, Slow, Wierd

See it if You like really offbeat stories for musicals, and are comfortable seeing a show where it isn't clear what the point of it all is.

Don't see it if You require shows to have either catharsis or cohesion - this show is compelling, but I can't understand why I spent two hours on it.

Banal, Disappointing, Quirky, Slow

See it if you enjoy musicals where every song is a dirge and the choreography takes itself too seriously. Hate to say this because I wanted to like it

Don't see it if you have anything else at all to do.

Original, Quirky, Slow, Excellent performances, Good score

See it if you liked the movie Kaspar Hauser, like a good Spring Awakening type of score (the band and the singing are excellent), but it does drag

Don't see it if want an exciting plot, fast moving show

Original, Riveting, Thought-provoking, Great writing, Fast paced

See it if you are looking for a thrilling story with charming music. This writing team from Scotland is one to look out for! Charming Cast.

Don't see it if you don't like fast paced musicals.

Entertaining

See it if You want to support new theater

Don't see it if no comment

Ambitious, Imaginative, Profound, Intense, Great staging

See it if you want to get lost in a story that seems like a fantasy with really lovely music

Don't see it if you can't handle ambiguity, you like a more traditional musical format, and you want a finished product.

Critic Reviews (2)

"The songs are a bland blend of rock and Sondheim-light styling that aim for both theatrical and hip but don't quite hit either...Somewhat shakier is the book, which too often doesn't know what it's trying to communicate...The problems are so integrated into the concept and its presentation that serious restructuring might be the only way to get everything to realign. There's unquestionably good work here...You just sense that they can't see 'Forest Boy' for the trees.”
Read more

“'Forest Boy' is incredibly well done...The look is fluid and magical. Gilmour and McKenzie are a perfect pairing for this story, which really has no ending or purpose...In the end, this tale of a psychologically damaged mind and the lengths a deluded personality will go to have a different kind of life just rings with a dull note...No matter how well the score blends pop, theatrical and country and uses the underscoring in a rather thrilling way, this story has no where to go."
Read more