Maestro NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (69)
See it if you love a good story...especially the details of the life and work of a fascinating man and his music.
Don't see it if you don't like music, Jewish biographies, or one-man shows.
See it if A fine evocation of Bernstein and his career by Felder. A bit long but well produced and compelling.
Don't see it if If a musical career or Bernstein is not in your interest.
See it if you are interested in Leonard Bernstein and his work. you like one man shows
Don't see it if you get bored easily with information about someone's life and career
See it if You love music of all types , appreciate a one man tour de force, and are interested in learning about Leonard Bernstein's background.
Don't see it if You can't sit still for 1 hour 45 min..it did feel a bit too long (in previews) or if you expect perfection in the lead's voice. Read more
See it if you are a Bernstein fan and want a new perspective on the man and his music, or if you'd just like an absorbing evening of music & dialogue
Don't see it if you need a lot of action, thrills or surprises; you dislike small theater; or if an average impression of Bernstein will annoy you
See it if are a Bernstein fan and want to have a fairly painless bio of him. Brought back some wonderful memories.
Don't see it if you HATE bad piano playing. Felder is a good storyteller, but he adds a boogie-woogie hand to Wagner! And his pedal work is atrocious.
See it if you want a quick bio of Bernstein, with details necessarily glossed over
Don't see it if you don't like one man shows with a lot of music.; you don't want to research more details
See it if you enjoy one man shows or want to learn more about the life of Leonard Bernstein, or technical aspects of conducting
Don't see it if you expect a complete portrait of the life of this complex man. Concentrates more on the early days, and is rather selective on its topics
Critic Reviews (27)
"We travel on a genial journey through Bernstein’s life, as the show moves from one incident or encounter to the next without offering any potent glimpses into Bernstein…This lack of depth and habitual glossing over significant incidents in Bernstein’s life prevent the audience from getting a really clear picture of the man…With a little more focus, ‘Maestro’ could be quite compelling, but as it stands now, it doesn’t penetrate into its subject matter nearly enough."
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"A 90-minute fest of music, wit and insight…Felder plays Bernstein’s biography with tremendous verve and excitement, and sings it with great range and passion…Felder goes beyond his own musical virtuosity in bringing us an intelligent and thoughtful interpretation of a major figure in music–in whichever mode!–of the 20th century. In 'Maestro,' the ideas are rich and the music compelling and joyous."
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"Felder is spellbinding as Bernstein...He has us looking at him, letting ourselves be conducted through the music of the book he wrote and putting us in a grip that he does not let go for its hour and forty-five minute run...Felder combines his book with Bernstein’s music as well as the classics that inspired the musician, and this creates some of the most spectacular moments in a solo show in recent memory...A masterclass in theatrical production."
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"Beautifully directed by Joel Zwick, the work uses projection and lighting as well as audio in striking, even brilliant ways...In bringing us a character whose passion and achievements were in music, Felder’s own musicianship, his teaching moments riffing on music that occur throughout the play, and his prowess at the keyboard, bring us more deeply into the soul of Bernstein than this genre might have otherwise permitted."
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"Felder is a gloriously gifted mimic. The portrayals of each new character are remarkably specific, colorful and detailed...Two elements are missing...The wit, passion, anger and regret are all present. The audience just never gets the big, joyous bombast of the man. The scenes involving his personal life, his marriage and his children are curiously flat. The passion–and there is much of it–is all in the music...Overall, this is an absolutely mesmerizing piece that I would recommend."
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"'Maestro' is plenty slick but also expert. Felder is at home at the piano belting out Bernstein in over-the-top Broadway style. He did not particularly remind me of Bernstein explaining music or performing...But the subject matter remained riveting. Felder can be funny, and gets big laughs...It takes a certain chutzpah and considerable talent to impersonate this uniquely charismatic and supremely talented Bernstein."
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"Felder knows very well he can bring his audience to his feet by impressing them at the piano. He certainly plays a good deal in 'Maestro' but to his great credit, he's walked away from the stuff he finds easiest...Felder has more material than he has time to present and the show falters in the last few minutes...But 'Maestro' remains this talented performer's most revealing, and certainly most moving, piece of work."
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"Felder picks up the rhythms and inflections of a somewhat older Bernstein so smoothly that he has the audience in the palm of his hand. And, for the most part, keeps us there with a blend of biography, humor, piano virtuosity, pathos and musical appreciation...But there are great gaps in the story...The play may fall short by sacrificing too much of the life to its themes. But Felder's enthusiasm, humor and proficiency keep it engaging in the moment."
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