See it if You love surprise
Don't see it if U don’t like old musicals
See it if If you're an Encores! fan, love fine dancing in a small space, enjoy 60s musicals that aren't revived often, but have some great songs.
Don't see it if If you only like fully flushed out musicals that are new, or surefire classics, have insider humorous commentary.
See it if you want to see R. Birney, C. Carmello, C. Duncan, J. Kuhn, B. Martin, B. Neuwirth, N. Opel, D. Sills, and A. Socha in top form.
Don't see it if you do not like great talent and a top-notch orchestra at its peak. It is hard to believe that Jesse Green and I saw the same show. Read more
See it if You are crazy about musical theater
Don't see it if You're not a fan of musicals Read more
See it if You enjoy a well done smorgasbord of scenes performed by an amazing gathering of talent. We loved it.
Don't see it if You don't like musicals or only want to see one musical; this is a procession of scenes from past musicals.They are thoroughly entertaining.
See it if you want to spend 2 1/2 hours in musical comedy heaven. A great chance to see scenes and numbers from musicals you've probably never seen.
Don't see it if you only want to see full length, fully produced shows Read more
See it if Encores gets the Man in the Chair (Drowsy Chaperone) treatment and a dance through older less well known shows with best ensemble ever
Don't see it if You don’t like Bebe Neuwirth Reed Birney Carole Carmelo Judy Kuhn Vanessa Williams and terrific musical revue with show stopping ending
See it if you love the early Encores! productions full of lost treasures, surprisingly entertaining music and lyrics; FANTASTIC performers.
Don't see it if no reason not to see this production Read more
"A peculiar and inevitably incoherent assemblage conceived...Though Mr. Martin’s interstitial jokes are often funny, they are not substantive enough to make the selections seem anything more than convenient...There are remarkable performances along the way...For the most part 'Hey, Look Me Over!' has little new to say about its old sources. It will be of interest to historians, if not to history."
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"Offers slivers of 10 lesser-known musicals...And for good reason, they’ve all got issues — and a sliver is enough, thanks very much. Still, Encores! deserves credit for trying out an experiment and assembling a game cast...This 2 1/2-hour revue isn’t about wall-to-wall hits and showstoppers. Still, bright spots shine...Even when an Encores! production leaves something to be desired, it’s a reminder that looking back helps you see where you are and where you’re going."
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"Martin's presence was particularly helpful since 'Hey, Look Me Over!' proves to be a textbook example of a mixed bag...There is the superb 30-piece orchestra conducted by Rob Berman, delivering lush orchestrations of the music...The problem is, since it's safe to say that all but the most ardent musical theater buffs are probably unfamiliar with much of the material, the dramatic scenes feel scattered and confusing, more often tedious than enlightening."
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"An unusual and uneven tour of various musicals...This is not a concert, but rather a super sampler of overtures, songs, and dialogue from each musical...The resulting show is sometimes enjoyable but often clunky and disorienting, with some great solos and duets followed by insipid dialogue and ensemble numbers. While most of these shows do not deserve full Encores! productions, it is difficult to take them seriously on their own terms in this rushed and limited context."
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"Each was created by accomplished Broadway professionals who knew how to inject a few choice moments of showbiz panache...This isn't just a song and dance concert...The books of the musicals are also represented, allowing audiences a taste of the characters and plots...In a show featuring terrific performances by contemporary theatre stars, that connection between musical theatre's past and present is a thoughtful example of what makes City Center Encores! so indispensable."
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"It is, indeed, uneven, despite the participation by many Broadway notables...Encores! has given us a brew that includes some thrilling moments, some also-rans, and the perfect host in Bob Martin's 'Man in Chair' character. The potpourri of excerpts that make up the revue defies us to discern any logic to its overall shape and form, but if any of the featured shows or performers are on your I-always-wanted-to-see-that list, then by all means head on out to City Center."
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"Like some of the shows it samples, this presentation is imperfect but is overall entertaining. Mr. Viertel's conception also includes an arguably irksome framing device...Martin addresses the audience to offer commentary, often tells inside jokes and interacts with the cast. Depending on one’s sensibilities, this is either an inspired or an insufferable device. However, it doesn’t mar the actual production...Bruni’s staging is resourceful, brisk, and conveys the essence of all the shows."
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"Narrated by the hilarious Bob Martin...this revue-like piece – nicely directed by Marc Bruni and choreographed by Denis Jones — is made even more delicious by the presence of some of Broadway’s biggest luminaries...Yes, the show is sometimes a little confusing (if you don’t know all the source material) and a tad overlong. But it’s mostly (to paraphrase a title from 'Greenwillow') 'A Night Borrowed from Heaven,' and a very fitting way to start off the next quarter century of Encores!"
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