Goldstein
About the show
This uplifting and heartwarming multi-generational musical explores the challenges and triumphs of an immigrant Jewish American family. More…
Louis Goldstein has written a tell-all family memoir. The book is a best-seller. But is it true? This original musical reminds us that families are complicated, the truth is never clear, and forgiveness is our best hope.
"With the rhythm of Neil Simon and the fierceness of Philip Roth, Shulman’s solidly constructed and inventive book renders this archetypical premise with an abundance of humor, sentiment, and suspense. Roberts’ music is a tuneful assortment of melodies some of which have an appropriate ethnic flavor...Bermowitz dominates the production with her steely yet empathetic portrayal of the controlling matriarch...A small-scale entertainment that is rich in emotional resonance." Full Review
"A delightful, if too easy, new show is manna for those seeking a modern taste of the golden days of musical comedy...It is a small, simple, and tender show without explosive moments or big drama, pulsating, instead, with secrets, choices, losses, and regrets...Neither derivative nor pastiche, composer/lyricist Roberts has managed to write a lovely score on par with that golden era, with its own confident style and character, and lyrics as clever and smart as the greats delivered." Full Review
"'Goldstein' is a quaint, bittersweet musical that moves seamlessly from humor to tragedy...There are no big, show-stopping numbers but instead light tunes that don’t get in the way of the plot...Among the nice touches is the use of the center aisle as a pathway for death and birth. Owen is eminently likable as the narrator, a man facing his own personal issues, while McGinnis proves once again that she has a magical voice." Full Review
"'Goldstein,' while pleasantly entertaining, doesn't add much to the genre. Its family is rather ordinary and its great romantic secret rings the bell of predictability…It takes some time to become invested in the characters, whose situations and behavior border on the clichéd and whose humor is generally as flat as a matzo. While the lyrics in several songs are quite effective, too much of the music…is generic; it could easily fit a show called 'Smith.'" Full Review
"There are many moments that make 'Goldstein' the musical worthy of hearing...A multi-generational family flashback that fills in the blanks with songs...There are moments that generally stir and interest the audience...The highlights of the musical are in the more human moments...Largely it works. The evening is a pleasant exploration with a sepia touch that reminds one of sitting on grandma's plastic wrapped couch hearing the stories behind the yellowing photos in an album." Full Review
"The innocuous, 90-minute tuner has some great moments but tends to suffer frequently from unrealistic dialogue and elementary lyrics...What 'Goldstein' does well is question the meaning of legacy...Roberts knows his way around a catchy melody and his tunes lean toward traditional Broadway fare. With such a talented cast he could benefit from adding a few show-stopping numbers that really bring the house down." Full Review
"There's rich material here, but Charlie Schulman's book is too sketchy and Michael Roberts' songs rely on basic melodies and even more basic rhymes. To be fair, there's an eleventh-hour plot twist that nobody in the audience at my performance -- me included -- saw coming...If the director, Brad Rouse, can't make anything urgent or compelling out of these family stories, his cast is reasonably solid...But this complex saga is too cursorily treated to really come to life." Full Review
"Its lack of ambition ultimately leads to its downfall...Book writer Schulman shirks any sort of dramatic contrivance that would add moral and ethical fireworks into the piece...Roberts contributes a similarly flavorless score that emulates the cheerful but unadventurous sounds of 1990s off-Broadway musicals...It's not the most skilled musical, but it's an unobjectionable one." Full Review
"Warm yet almost entirely oomph-free new musical...It's not that Schulman needs to supply soap opera twists and huge reveals. But if these are the secrets, sins, and disappointments, we should feel their impact. Instead, Schulman seems eager to assure us at every turn that these are decent, diligent folk, all things considered...Adding to the show's too-safe feeling are the subdued performances in Rouse's staging and the determinedly inoffensive nature of Roberts's score." Full Review
"You’ll ingest more schmaltz than at your bubbe’s seder table with 'Goldstein'...It has heartfelt intentions—and an ideal synagogue venue—but smacks of the generic, and most of its characters are tired Jewish stereotypes. Clunky direction, Roberts’s somber songs and the production’s barely-there design do not exactly liven things up. Give thanks, then, for the committed and talented actors, including multiple Broadway vets, who put across the material as if it really were Pulitzer-worthy." Full Review
See it if People who lived through the 1950’s and people who would like a bit of history
Don't see it if Someone not interested in the 1950 era
See it if You like stories about families that are real and touching and brilliantly told. A must see for all.
Don't see it if If you like big Broadway type shows. It’s still worth seeing though.
See it if You want to see a moving, beautifully told musical story of a multi generational immigrant family with conflicting truths.
Don't see it if You don't enjoy musicals about family history and secrets
See it if You like family dramas a la Neil Simon where characters are believable and compelling
Don't see it if a little slow in the beginning so you have to be patient. Some songs aren't that great.
See it if Intimate theater Great acting, So like the sagas of a family written years ago Clever T. Wilder exiting. Cast of 7 all great.
Don't see it if no weakness in the production but Reminder:. Actor's Temple is a great choice for this play but seating is as expected in a non theater
See it if You enjoy a intimate musical with a serious theme of family history and secrets.
Don't see it if You only enjoy light fluffy musicals
See it if It is lovely to see decent people with all their flaws triumph and make the family unit work: tradition lives!
Don't see it if You are such a picky theatre snob that you let the imperfections bother you. It does not have to be perfect to be perfect.
Also Sitting in the Actor's Theatre Temple space with lots of historic stai... Read more Read less
See it if ... you want to see something original, well written, directed and acted, with top notch music and singing. This one should be on Broadway.
Don't see it if ... you don't like the seating arrangement in the Actors Theater, for some reason...
See it if You like musicals about family relationships.
Don't see it if You don't like dramatic musicals.
See it if you are interested in a well-done, thought-provoking story of three generations of an immigrant family with conflicting truths.
Don't see it if you are looking for a flashy musical with dancing, beautiful costumes, and fancy sets .
See it if You enjoy shows about family dynamics over 3 generations. Very entertaining and some songs (eg Visiting Your Mother) masterfully performed
Don't see it if You don’t like musicals or comedy. However this show is well done.
See it if you enjoy family sagas with hidden secrets in a family/Interesting characters and their roles in the story make for a n i inyeresting show/
Don't see it if you don't care for family stories or pleasant music
See it if great voices, excellent acting, engaging story
Don't see it if even though the location of show was in a synog. sanctuary, the transformation worked fine. also acoustics & lighting were excellent.
See it if you are up for a very uplifting and heartwarming musical about a Jewish American family. Traces 90 years of secrets and sacrifices in song.
Don't see it if you are not curious about how the challenges of immigrants and the need to forgive are part of many family stories and legacies.
See it if You had immigrant grandparents or just want an original musical, with a wonderful score that's good in spite of low budget production.
Don't see it if You're looking for a lavish production. This one requires you to use your imagination when the characters are supposed to age 40 years.
Also There are so many things I absolutely loved about GOLDSTEIN, that I th... Read more Read less
See it if You enjoy smart, thoughtful musicals with poignant songs touching on familial and meaningful themes. Deliciously schmaltzie. Great singing
Don't see it if You don’t relate to nostalgia and raw emotion
See it if You want a light musical about a generational saga.
Don't see it if You cannot deal with a little schmaltz.
See it if you enjoy a sweet little musical about a man's personal family history. The actors sing their hearts out and offer top notch performances.
Don't see it if you want a show with an edge or don't like musicals.
Also I don't know why this musical was called Goldstein. There's nothing Je... Read more Read less
See it if you want a well-done little musical with Jewish family themes, good acting and meaningful songs. A pleasant and thoughtful experience.
Don't see it if don't want a family-themed musical that will be entertaining if you are not looking for big Broadway pizzazz.
See it if you find complex family relationships compelling. Nice music, good singing, excellent costumes. Rewarding ideas about truth & memory.
Don't see it if you believe in absolute truth. The characters choices based on their needs makes the past slide between possible truths.
See it if a multigenerational musical with a multitude of well written Jewish themed songs performed by talented singers on a bare set is of interest.
Don't see it if the stories of Jewish immigrants & their subsequent generations isn't of interest, no matter how good the voices or well written the songs
See it if You want a generational drama with a dash of schmaltz and some fine ensemble singing. Intelligent and dramatic.
Don't see it if You need the big theater experience or are adverse to family history drama.
See it if you enjoy a glimpse into the lives of an immigrant family and their offspring over 3 generations as they deal with love, loss and hope.
Don't see it if You are looking for a big, loud musical event.
Cast & Creatives (18)
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