Kurt Vonnegut’s God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater NYC Reviews and Tickets
Member Reviews (78)
See it if Great music to be paired w. Vonnegut. Unexpectedly good. Great performances. Interesting themes. Quirky & Whimsical at times.
Don't see it if You prefer straightforward plots. Not into concert versions. Second act has a bit too many sad though great songs. Brings it down a bit
See it if Catchy music, great story and wonderful performances! Funny scenes, heartwarming moments, it has almost everything a great musical needs!
Don't see it if Act 1 has touching moments & is stronger than Act2 which didn't reach the potential I thought it could but it's a great show & worth seeing!
See it if you want a show that somehow straddles that impossible line of being political without taking sides, funny but makes a serious statement.
Don't see it if You want serious. This show makes a serious statement but it has fun and makes fun of itself the whole way getting there. Delightful! Fun!
See it if /to see scathing satire that takes on issue of inequality/ahead of its time; brilliantly subversive lyrics; Santino Fantana in top form
Don't see it if /since plot is colossally silly and musical fails to capture surrealistic nature of Vonnegut's novel
See it if You're a completist when it comes to seeing American musical theater, especially shows by Alan Menken. This is a very rarely produced show.
Don't see it if You like more flashy fare, or are expecting to see James Earl Jones in the lead role -- he's not.
See it if all you want is to see Santino Fontana shine on a stage. (He does. As always.)
Don't see it if you'll be bothered by super unclear storytelling.
See it if you enjoy entertaining musicals that are very relevant to today's times. Also, if you want to see another sterling performance by Fontana.
Don't see it if you do not like satirical musicals. Or if you don not want to see an early work by Ashman and Menken.
See it if You like American stories about the haves v the have-nots in small town America. Uplifting music,choreography, Santino,Skylar,Rebecca,etc
Don't see it if You want to miss a rare appearance by James Earl Jones LOL You hate cliches You have no heart You never heard of writer Alan Menken
Critic Reviews (12)
"An odd duck of a musical...Vonnegut’s black brand of satire is not, in truth, a comfortable fit for the stage...The director, Michael Mayer, at least keeps the careering story line moving along at a brisk pace. And both performers and orchestra deliver the eclectic score with the polish and zest we have come to expect from the Encores! series...Mr. Fontana imbues Eliot with a forthright earnestness that scrubs away the archness and heaviness in the writing.”
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“A freewheeling musical comedy with political themes and a serious streak underneath it all...The songs are fresh, fun and occasionally heartfelt...The storytelling can be rough and chaotic, but that is to be expected with this kind of property...I would not be surprised if this production serves as the steppingstone for a longer run. However, even if that does not happen, it should—nay, must—receive a cast album."
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“It turns out that Ashman and Menken's blend of wit and sincerity perfectly conveys Vonnegut's dark satire...Director Michael Mayer wisely maintains an earnest commitment in the delivery of these lines, allowing the script and design to do all the winking...While ‘Rosewater’ isn't quite in the same league as ‘Little Shop’, it's still considerably more enjoyable and more socially relevant than many of the new musicals being written in 2016.”
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"This material is tops: right up there with the very best of what Ashman and Menken have ever done...There's some serious content at work, and if it's not exactly downplayed, it's given a glimmering gloss through both the sprightly book and the dazzling score...Alas, the evening can't quite maintain its stratospheric stature...A preachiness creeps in...Even so, the cumulative effect of it all sends you out on a high you won't descend from easily."
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"It’s not a lost masterpiece but it’s a mildly entertaining curio…The music is delightfully jaunty and the lyrics are marvelously witty but unfortunately their accomplished efforts are components of problematic source material…It’s all labored, not very compelling and not as funny as intended...Mr. Fontana’s performance is the magnetic anchor of the show…This well mounted revival is a welcome opportunity to experience their tremendous early talents in this work despite its flaws."
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“A sparkling, intelligent, and inventive production...Is the show too quirky to ever be commercial? Probably. But it’s also often deliciously funny and delightfully tuneful...Most importantly, in many ways, the show feels remarkably topical this week of the Democratic National Convention, especially as we meet the downtrodden, forgotten citizens of Rosewater...Food for thought, indeed.”
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"Younger audience members may not get some of the many cultural references. Nor are they likely to walk out with one of the songs embedded in their ears. That said, the Gilbert and Sullivan flavor of the numbers and the overall smartness of the lyrics are enjoyable...This is especially thanks to the wonderfully versatile cast headed by Santino Fontana…Director Michael Mayer has made the most of Vonnegut's dark satire...Bravo for bringing it back and in such fine form."
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"Narrative displays several signature Vonnegut themes, the familiar device of God-like narration (James Earl Jones), and characters found in other books by the author...Howard Ashman’s book and lyrics are literate, specific, and filled with heart. Alan Menken’s music is, well, fine. This was their first collaboration...Fontana’s embodiment of Eliot is consistently engaging and sympathetic. Really, one wants to take him home to mom...Another terrific production by Encores."
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