I Spy a Spy NYC Reviews and Tickets

78%

(158 Reviews)

Positive

80%

Mixed

17%

Negative

Members say

Great singing, Entertaining, Funny, Clever, Delightful

About the Show

"I Spy A Spy" is a wacky musical comedy about immigration, unexpected romance, espionage, and the best chicken-tikka pizza in NYC.

From the show:

In a “melting pot” neighborhood in Hell’s Kitchen, José Rodriguez, an undocumented Mexican delivery guy has an American Dream – to become “a someone”. Alina Orlova, a beautiful but inept Russian spy, also has an American dream – to save the family’s “Fluff N’ Fold". Speeding through one hilariously preposterous plot twist after another, José and Alina embark on a wild adventure to fulfill their destinies – and live the American Dream!

I Spy A Spy is a wacky comedy of immigration, unexpected romance, espionage, and the best chicken-tikka pizza in NYC. It takes us on a musical rollercoaster ride (on which our duo encounters Mexican Thugs, Russian spies, a Pakistani pizza proprietor, a Korean deli owner, and the Department of Homeland Security!), while lovingly examining the power of the American Dream, the challenges we all face, and the universal love for “home”!

Member Reviews (158)

Long, Disappointing, Strong voices, Unfocused plot, Uneven tone

See it if you love all musicals. Some good performances, given weak material. Nothing makes sense, even in this created world. Tone varies wildly.

Don't see it if you want a coherent, meaningful story. Also, if you want strg music/lyrics. How did the show get this far w/o a decent book? Clever set.

Confusing, Fluffy, Quirky, Great singing, Delightful

See it if Songs 85, book 65. I enjoyed every one of the songs. Lots of humor with strong vocals. The big Russian number was a hoot. Left w/a smile.

Don't see it if The story and characters are a mess. The show is a rom-com farce w/two immigrant couples finding their way, but it makes no sense. Read more

Charming set, Fluffy, Cliched, Funny, Entertaining

See it if you are looking for a charming performance with some complex themes, amusing plot devices & excellent songs.

Don't see it if you want something deeply meaningful. This is clever but covers too much so is thin.

Fluffy, Bromidic, Unfocused, Disappointing, Earnest

See it if u want a goofy, innocuous comedy about immigrant life in NYC with some catchy songs, an endless series of madcap plots & a touch of gravity.

Don't see it if you expect a meaningful, fully-realized musical about immigration & acceptance; you hope for a coherent caper; you appreciate subtlety. Read more

Diverse cast, Schizoid, Tiresome plot, Some good songs

See it if you like to see all the new musicals that come along.

Don't see it if you like musicals to have a comprehensible book. Read more

Wow wow wow see this show, Wonderful lyrics, Wildly creative, Wacky

See it if you enjoy a very funny show with wonderful lyrics and very strange story which actually works. Very relevant to our times. Great staging.

Don't see it if you like a traditional comedy or drama. This show's plot is all over the place but is fantastically funny. Read more

Caper, Fluffy, Great singing, Cliched

See it if Modern inclusive original NYC immigrant Russian-spy caper musical from another era. Very large cast.

Don't see it if For fear of its own topicality and to offending anyone -- all points and rough edges are sanded down to a dull finish. Read more

Cheap set, Confusing, Cliched, Banal

See it if The lead lady is a great singer.

Don't see it if Rest of cast is amateurish & one-dimensional. Plot ridiculous & hard to follow. Way too long at 2 hrs 20 min. Closing over a month early!!

Critic Reviews (4)

"I'm not much of a conspiracy theorist, but you're never going to convince me that 'I Spy a Spy' isn't the fruit of a plot by Julian Assange and Russian hackers (assisted, maybe, by Kim Jong Un), aimed at undermining America's theatrical way of life."
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"Novelty 12 person cast of caricatures at Theatre at St. Clements includes Russians and spies, the American Dream, and commentaries on the political state of things with love stories too. Some slicing and dicing are in order but it's silly fun and you'll get some laughs and messages."
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"At a time when there's such turmoil at out borders and disagreement within, it takes a good deal of courage to pen a musical that takes a lighthearted look at immigrations. But Jamie Jackson and So Hee Youn's musical somehow does that with charm and humor."
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"A banal exercise that, for all its upbeat treatment of America's cultural diversity, is little more than an excuse for a mostly witless, farcical farrago about stereotypical, cartoon characters of multiple ethnicities."
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