See it if You are a fan of Menken and Ashman, love funny, satirical and quirky musicals, are a fan of Vonnegut or want some theater history
Don't see it if Like huge productions, or find quirky and satirical things stupid
See it if you want to see an original, funny, sad story with wonderful music. Not sure why this isn't performed more - it's great!
Don't see it if you are a champion of the rich or don't like Vonnegut, Ahsman, or Menken.
See it if You want to see the first Ashman/Menken show that is rarely produced. Or if you're a fan of Fontana who is amazing, as always.
Don't see it if You don't like satire or Vonnegut. Or if you want a fully staged production since this is only Encores.
See it if you are like Kurt Vonnegut stories, enjoy plays that make you think
Don't see it if If you are opposed to violence, foul language, or are looking for an unedgy comedy.
See it if you want a unique chance to see a rarely-seen Menken musical.
Don't see it if book-in-hand concert productions aren't your speed.
See it if you want to see great actors bring to life a mostly forgotten gem of a musical with a beautiful, melodic score and a quirky story
Don't see it if you are not a fan of somewhat dark musical stories or want to see more of a full production than this staged reading entails.
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 sweet charming shows form the days of really good off B'way. musicals, Near perfectly cast.
Don't see it if You thought Runaways was good.
"This one is really off-center. And we are delighted to have made its acquaintance, but suspect we won’t need to see it again…What a weirdly sweet and strange, dark mess this is...Santino Fontana is wonderful — vocally and dramatically — as Eliot Rosewater…We learn that people need two things — to be fed and to be respected, and that respect should be given to people who don’t deserve it. That’s silly, but a little profound."
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"A terrifically entertaining gem that’s spookily relevant as well...An exhilarating production, with a cast headed by the supremely talented Santino Fontana…It would be hard to imagine a better cast to maneuver the maze of plot. Fontana makes the quirky Eliot totally believable and totally engaging… With its rambunctious plotting, 'Rosewater' may not be a perfect gem, but nevertheless it’s a gem worth treasuring and polishing up now and then."
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“Part of what makes ‘Rosewater’ so appealing, other than the terrific songs, is the yearning humanity that Ashman’s book brings out in the people of Rosewater’s eponymous hometown...The production is blessed with a near-perfect cast...The show is far from perfect. I’ve been rereading the script and still can’t quite figure out the logic of the show’s denouement. And some of the satire falls a bit flat. But on the whole, it’s a delight.”
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"It’s a fascinating show that functions and malfunctions on several levels. Musicalizing Vonnegut is difficult. However, given the current political climate and general disdain for one-percenters, it is a perfect show to revive…The production succeeds in the casting of the leads…Where they flail are the songs with patriotic melodies, despite Ashman's satirical lyrics. The atonality runs thin quickly even with an amazingly game ensemble."
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