The York Theatre presents Alan Jay Lerner's 1971 musical adaptation of Vladimir Nabokov's groundbreaking and controversial 1955 novel, "Lolita." More…
“Lolita, My Love” closely follows the legendary novel: a college professor named Humbert Humbert becomes fascinated by and starts to seduce his landlady's young daughter, Dolores "Lolita" Haze. The fascination quickly turns into obsession, and soon a whirlwind race across the US begins. For this Mufti presentation, Erik Haagensen has edited together a new script from Lerner's assorted drafts, each vastly different from the others.
“Lolita, My Love” is part of The York's "Musicals in Mufti" series, a series of script-in-hand, concert revival readings presented in everyday clothes and with minimal staging.
See it if you want to take this 1st oppty in 40 yrs. Fascinating, stomach-turning show. Gr singing/staging. Good songs. Run time cut to 2 1/4 hrs.
Don't see it if the content is triggering. Disturbing story of hebephilia, esply given 2019 headlines abt Epstein et al. Still, a strong, memorable prodn.
See it if Complex & effective rendition of the novel as a musical. Sickening but also moving, clever & humorous. Excellent vocals & staging.
Don't see it if You aren’t up for a twisted main character. You don’t like the mufti presentation (use of scripts & one piano).
See it if you're curious about the musical & a fan of Lerner or Barry, you want to see how novel was adapted, you enjoy the York's Mufti series
Don't see it if turned off by the subject matter & peppy" songs in a serious musical with serious subject, don't like minimal sets, costumes, single piano
See it if You appreciate nice music and seeing a show that almost made it to broadway
Don't see it if You want full fledge musical with good book and music.
See it if You want to see how a musical about a pedophile--when skillfully handled--can have you sympathizing with him, against your will at times.
Don't see it if The subject matter is a delicate one for you, or if you really don't care about anything but Lerner's popular shows. It's once in a lifetime
See it if You want to see a quintessential mufti performance of a show that never made it to NY . ..controversial at best
Don't see it if Don't think obsession and pedophilia mixed with murder are the stuff musicals are made of .
See it if you're interested in a historical flop with some surprisingly great tunes and a compelling frame narrative around Nabokov's masterpiece.
Don't see it if for better & worse, this hews closely to the plot of the novel. There is a lot of talk/portrayal of sex with an underage girl. 3 hours long.
Also It is deeply unclear why anyone ever thought converting a novelistic m... Read more Read less
See it if You want to be entertained and disturbed in equal measure, you want to see a musical adaptation of one of our Great Novels
Don't see it if The pedophilia of it all is too much for you to handle; you don't want to sit through a quite long musical (2:45)
See it if you are a fan of little known musicals or like to discover hidden gems
Don't see it if you are expecting to be out in under three hours or have a problem with the explicit subject matter
See it if You want to see why this show closed early in the original staging and never made it to NY. The leads do their absolute best though.
Don't see it if You want to see an ensemble bored out of their minds. I swear I saw 2 fall asleep onstage! So lackluster an ensemble it made a slow show lag
See it if you have read the book. Robert Sella captures Humbert perfectly. His mannerisms and voice are pitch perfect.
Don't see it if you do not want a thinking person's musical or if you are expecting Mrs. Haze to be played as Shelley Winters did in the movie.
Also While I am usually very uncomfortable hearing about pedophiles, the fo... Read more Read less
See it if you're curious about it. It won't disappoint... you want to see some very good direction and music direction
Don't see it if you're uncomfortable with the subject matter of Lolita. It's still disturbing.
See it if In a nutshell, great actors/singers in search of a musical. This is not the one. The score is boring-so much talent wasted.
Don't see it if a musical about pedophilia seems interesting; it isn't.
See it if you love the book Lolita and you're interested in truly hidden gems of theater.
Don't see it if you are uncomfortable with a story told from the perspective of a pedophile and murderer. You don't enjoy stripped down versions of shows.
Also Wow, what an incredible experience. I was stunned by how much I enjoye... Read more Read less
See it if You are interested in complex musicals, Broadway history, and Alan Jay Lerner. I LOVED this show and would go again if I could.
Don't see it if You are a shallow person without a sense of humor, nuance, or ability to deal with complex material.
Also I have not shut up about Lolita, My Love all week. I saw all three Ala... Read more Read less
See it if you want to see this infamous flop well-staged and sung! Loved getting to hear this score & the updated staging. George Abud's fantastic
Don't see it if you don't like the storyline; you'll cringe at lyrics such as "who is this viper/who likes them post-diaper" !
Also Uneven book and lyrics aside, I'm so glad York staged this. The score ... Read more Read less
See it if You are familiar with the troubled show and want to cross it off your musical theatre aficionado's "bucket list."
Don't see it if It's a musical about a pedophile-murderer. It's the best musical about a pedophile-murder that will ever happen, but nevertheless...
Also Finally. I am very glad LOLITA, MY LOVE has been produced smartly, sen... Read more Read less
See it if Fascinating recreation of a failed Alan Jay Lerner
Don't see it if If you are not deeply interested in obscure Broadway flops