Matthew McConaughey vs. The Devil: An American Myth (NYMF) NYC Reviews and Tickets
About the Show
Part of the New York Musical Festival: A Faustian comedy that dares to ask the question, "How did Matthew McConaughey win an Academy Award?" Featuring Broadway regulars including Lesli Margherita and Max Crumm.
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See it if You love new, edgy musicals; satirical contemporary plotlines; enjoy discovering new talent; like a fun score & book which is well staged
Don't see it if You have no idea who Matthew McConaughey is; are offended by mild expletives; looking for a serious drama and/or subject matter
See it if you enjoy diverse score - good mix of pop, ballads, sprituals, and soul. Silly plot, but the jokes are enjoyable. Fun night out.
Don't see it if you like classical shows. This one is modern and quirky. Wish NYC had more of this kind.
See it if you like silly comedies. You are a pop culture fan (there are a ton of references). You like to laugh. You like a really strong ensemble.
Don't see it if you want something heavy or serious. You don't know anything about Matthew McConaughey. You are offended by Satan and cursing.
See it if You like silly over-the-top musicals, with wonderful music and a phenomenal performance by Lesli Margherita.
Don't see it if You cant turn your brain off, don't watch enough movies to get jokes about them, are easily offended when religious stuff is made ridiculous
See it if If you are in for a good laugh with great staging, acting and writing.
Don't see it if You want serious and deep drama.
See it if Lesli Margherita!!! Outstanding!! Great music with repeating themes which make the experience very cohesive. Funny and totally enjoyable.
Don't see it if Not all actors were great. It's a very simple production (NYMF). A couple of the male driven scenes are long and tedious. Read more
See it if You love the actors involved, you want to laugh, and you're willing to suspend disbelief.
Don't see it if You want something realistic and logical, you want a polished, Broadway-style musical, you have no patience for silliness.
See it if You like musicals and good singing and like Matthew McConaughey. Woman playing the devil was fantastic.
Don't see it if You want an elaborate set or not into off Broadway and or small theater.
Critic Reviews (8)
"An amusing Faustian comedy...While Landmann's book and Quesenberry's score could use some tightening, the show's imaginative and hilarious spirit leaves audiences giggling in almost every scene...It is Margherita who absolutely shines as Mephistopheles...She leaves the audience howling...The musical's book, music, and lyrics could benefit from some editing...Some of the jokes don't land. But in the end, this lighthearted look at a charming A-lister's rise to fame is devilish fun."
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"One mediocre musical number follows another in the lame Hollywood satire...It’s a strained spoof that chiefly falls flat...The score is an adequate collection of pop and show tunes that don’t add up to much...The vivacious Margherita steals and salvages the show...When she plows through her numbers with her exquisite performing skills and razzle dazzle, you forget how poor the show is...Director Thomas Caruso’s staging is energetic and does keep the pace and the action moving."
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"A rowdy, intermittently engaging musical...As featherweight and ridiculous as 'Damn Yankees.' And the new show features some accomplished songwriting...But the score is a little repetitious and seems bland in comparison...'Matthew McConaughey; features a superb cast...It's light to the point of disposability...You're likely to leave the theater pondering why so much talent and professionalism have been expended on a project that already seems dated."
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"Writer Emilie Landmann, composer Jonathan Quesenberry and lyricist Carrie Morgan have crafted a funny, inspired, highly memorable show. Director Thomas Caruso has a deft hand, staging nearly twenty songs without it feeling rushed and skillfully utilizing a cast of ten, including the terrific ensemble. The musical numbers breeze along, but a couple of cuts could be made."
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"This fun show hits all its marks with hysterical lyrics and a book that demand repeat viewing given the potential to miss due to audience laughter...Mining a rich vein for satire is a tough road but thanks to expert performances...this show scores...They are buoyed by expert direction and knowing dynamic choreography... For sheer laughs and fun, 'Matthew McConaughey Vs. The Devil' works...Towards the end there’s a bit a flab. But the cast propels you through it."
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"The book by Morgan is finagled, shallow and implausible...Quesenberry’s music fairs much better...Their combined effort at producing lyrics is mostly successful...Director Caruso moves the action along at a steady pace but starts to lag...The major problem with this production is that the content fails to engage the audience or energize the hard-working cast. It may pass as being slightly entertaining but lacks any substance that may make it memorable."
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"How did so many talented people produce a show so pointless, derivative, and mean? Its worst sin may be that it is rarely funny...It is not, however, completely damnable. The music is never less than competent. But the real salvation for this show is in the production values–kudos to director Thomas Caruso, choreographer Billy Griffin, and the design team—and thanks to the performers."
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"Directed with high energy and laugh-out-loud humor...The script is loaded with witty pop-culture references and wacky characterizations that are delivered with comedic control by the cast. Under Caruso’s well-tempered direction and pacing, they bring the laughs quickly, without resorting to over-the-top histrionics or extended milking...A lively hour-and-a-half of contemporary musical satire that keeps the audience laughing and nodding at the familiar behavior. It’s a lot of fun."
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