How to Be an American NYC Reviews and Tickets

67%

(36 Reviews)

Positive

50%

Mixed

44%

Negative

Members say

Entertaining, Relevant, Great singing, Disappointing, Funny

About the Show

The York Theatre Company presents a turn-of-the-20th-century political cabaret featuring classic American songs. Presented as a staged concert reading as part of its New2NY Series.

Based on the book 'Plunkitt of Tammany Hall: A Series of Very Plain Talks on Very Practical Politics,' this new musical consists of tunes from the early 20th century American songbook. The year is 1905, one week before the next election in New York City. Tammany Hall politician George Washington Plunkitt has gathered a group of new immigrants for the purpose of educating them on the subtleties of the American political system. Directed by Bill Castellino, who helmed York's hit musical 'Cagney.'

Member Reviews (36)

Unfocused, Slow, Thought-provoking, Disappointing

See it if it has good intentions but the comparison to today's politics albeit timely and real is still misconceived.

Don't see it if You don't want to sit through a work in progress or don't care for audience participation sketches.

Slow, Uneven, Misconceived, Ambitious, Hard-working

See it if you're interested in 1905 politics (w/ its 2016 echoes). HTBA wants us to like AND loath politicians; tough balancing act. Some good songs.

Don't see it if you have other options. The concept doesn't really work and the messages are muddled. The actors work hard and do fine. I liked my flag.

Overrated, Indulgent, Fluffy, Great singing, Confusing

See it if you feel patriotic yet cynical, enjoy satire with strong NYC history, enjoy some strong male voices but not crazy shenigans

Don't see it if You don't enjoy scores composed of patriotic songs used to uphold the tyranny of Tammany Hall, or readings with scripts of musicals

Intelligent, Resonant, Relevant, Thought-provoking, Ambitious

See it if You enjoy being one of the first to see an original musical. You enjoy shows with a historical and political theme + audience participation.

Don't see it if You only enjoy very polished, perfect productions. This show is a work in progress. You don't like shows that break the fourth wall. Read more

Amateurish script, baffling choice of songs

See it if A musical paean to Tammany Hall. Forgettable.

Don't see it if See the anti-Tammany musical, Fiorello, instead

Clever, Intelligent, Relevant, Thought-provoking, Great acting

See it if The 2016 election has importance. An entertaining intelligent slyly relevant well executed & performed reveal of our present thru our NYpast

Don't see it if You don't like politics, history, electioneering (past or present) or well-executed & performed political campaign songs from the 1900's. Read more

Entertaining, Resonant, Educational, Timely, Historical

See it if like me, you thought Tammany was an Irish politician, and if you love learning about the history of our great city. Also, George M. Cohan!

Don't see it if You don't have patience for something engaging and charming, and makes you feel so good at the end. Or, if you're done with politics.

Absorbing, Entertaining, Great singing, Relevant, Ambitious

See it if You like singing and political issues. I enjoyed the singing. They sounded great together. Entertaining and funny. Keep an open mind.

Don't see it if You can't laugh at political issues and the state of political affairs. Can't handle the political truth.

Critic Reviews (3)

"Mildly pleasant, occasionally tuneful, and roundly forgettable...The numbers don't add much except for a few moments of melody, and their gentle, now-old-fashioned attitudes violently clash with the consistently conniving book...It doesn't make for much in the way of coherence or excitement, which are helpful things to have when your show only has two jokes...If you want something historical, educational, and sort of entertaining, it will suffice well enough."
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"The score featured songs from the early 20th century American Songbook and the cast nailed them in every way…This mufti-style staged concert performance was expertly lead by Tim Jerome, whose voice and acting was perfectly political…T. Cat Ford ‘s book, however, is confusing because in all honesty I do not know what this show was trying to say. It seemed it had no objective and though it was was wonderfully presented, this show seems slightly outdated."
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"Only moderately entertaining...The best parts of the offering are the appealing performances...They collectively get into the spirit of an old-fashioned political revival meeting...Although amiable and bright in spirit, the musical lacks sufficient wit to make it more than a pleasant satire on how immigrants to the United States could be molded into dominated voters for those holding onto power so that elections could be manipulated."
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