Murder at the Food Coop (FringeNYC)
About the show
Part of FringeNYC: A murder farce for our locavore age! When the founder of a food coop in liberal Brooklyn is found dead inside the solar-powered Gore 3000 freezer, the ensuing free-range investigation is part Agatha Christie and part Julia Child. More…
Categories: Comedy, Musical/Opera, Local. From Neo-Shtick Theater. Written by Gersh Kuntzman and Marc Dinkin. Directed by Eric Oleson.
FROM THE ARTIST:
Part of FringeNYC: A murder farce for our locavore age! When the founder of a food coop in liberal Brooklyn is found dead inside the solar-powered Gore 3000 freezer, the ensuing free-range investigation is part Agatha Christie and part Julia Child (and part "Colombo," if the great detective had been sleeping with all his suspects). "Murder at the Food Coop" is by the same team that did the award-winning 2005 Fringe Festival hit, "SUV: The Musical."
"'Murder at the Food Co-op' is a funny, though certainly imperfect, comedy...Yes, all the obvious targets for the neighborhood’s legions of haters are here...but they are gently, almost lovingly, mocked...Director Eric Oleson does a stellar job keeping all the balls in motion as subplots bounce off in riotous directions, and the lyrics by Marc Dinkin are consistently outstanding—and much better than the dialogue...Kuntzman uses one-and two-liners to the detriment of getting the story told." Full Review
"Seeing 'Murder at the Food Co-Op' is a bit like going grocery shopping when you’re hungry. Everything is a bit too colorful and loud, and you end up with junk food that doesn’t really satisfy. Though the imperfections of the show are real, there are many redeeming factors. For an audience member who loves one-liners, campy humor, and puns, this show can be a light romp, providing silly songs and energetic performances that chew the scenery like so much kale." Full Review
"'Murder at the Food Coop' suffers from too large a cast of characters, preventing most from getting more than one musical number's worth of attention...The music is catchy but not terribly remarkable…Some moments of satire in the musical are absolutely spot-on, though much of the humor is simple and generic…While this musical has a great deal going against it, it is still a joy to watch, its occasional moments of startling insight brightening up a largely lighthearted, fun musical." Full Review
See it if you like quirky characters and hilarious situations or if you think Law and Order would make great musical. Foodies are welcome!
Don't see it if you are snob against Brooklyn hipsters or hate bubblegum pop musicals with 60's rock n roll vibe (drums, piano, electric guitar).
Also Don't see it if food humor ain't your thing. Perhaps if you are a Jim ... Read more Read less
See it if you want a couple great, funny songs in a generally well-developed musical led by its two amazing leading actresses. I give it a B+/B grade.
Don't see it if you want everyone to sing well (only two did), dislike some overplayed banal puns, and want the entire cast to be strong and interesting.
See it if you like grocery shopping, mismatched couples, and film noir
Don't see it if you hate Brooklyn and don't care where your produce came from
See it if you enjoy busting on hipsters
Don't see it if you are a lifetime member of the Park Slope Food Co-op
See it if you like musicals, good singing, large cast
Don't see it if you don't relate to the Park Slope food coop backstory and don't care to find out
See it if you are a foodie New Yorker who loves send ups of so many song and story references - my favorite was To Serve Vita-Man .
Don't see it if you don't like unnecessary over miked singers. And music that competes rather than accompanies the words.
See it if you can laugh at your politically correct self. Especially relatable for anyone familiar with Park Slope and the food co-op.
Don't see it if liberal humor does not appeal to you.
See it if have high tolerance for no A,C., like mere volume where comedy should be, take to heart & wallet reviews written by schills for the show
Don't see it if you care to understand lyrics, storyline, humor
See it if you like poorly constructed musicals with bad songs, cliched choreography and bad sound.
Don't see it if respect your own time.
See it if A real musical with creative original songs and great acting in a large cast.
Don't see it if no reason not to see this - one of the big productions in this year's fringe
See it if you like madcap farce, an energetically staged small-scale musical, and over-the-top satire of politically correct foodies.
Don't see it if you believe the Park Slope Food Coop can save the world or you expect musical actors to have decent voices and enunciate the lyrics clearly.
See it if You are a foodie, a member of a food co-op or live in Brooklyn.
Don't see it if You don't like musicals or murder mysteries or are politically conservative.
See it if You want a great laugh
Don't see it if You don't like clever comedy
See it if You like to laugh at, or are, a hipster.
Don't see it if You don't have a sense of humor.
See it if You love great musicals
Don't see it if You have no taste
See it if You like great acting and singing and want to be entertained.
Don't see it if You don't like witty comedy
See it if You enjoy poking fun at Park Slope stereotypes and silly, over the top humor.
Don't see it if You get offended by sexual innuendos.
See it if You enjoy a funny, satirical take on liberal politics, with a great score, and talented actors.
Don't see it if You're not into muscials
See it if you like to laugh, appreciate the silliness of 'all natural, superorganic, free range, non-gmo' entertainment
Don't see it if if you had kale for breakfast, and drink boiled artic spring water bottled by unwashed eskimos
See it if You are a foodie, a liberal, a resident of Park Slope, and if you are a member of a food coop, it's a must-see
Don't see it if You're looking for a profound, serious dramatic experience
See it if you want something fun to do
Don't see it if you are too serious
See it if Looking for a fun and funny well-played and well-sung musical with strong and clear characters enmeshed in a tale of passionate local lore.
Don't see it if You don't get a program at the door - good for learning more about the show AND fanning yourself if it gets too hot.
See it if You enjoy shows that make fun of NYC and can laugh at themselves
Don't see it if You are too politically correct :)
See it if your enjoyment of the songs, singing, and performance will outweigh your feelings about the (somewhat lackluster) dialogue.
Don't see it if you don't enjoy comedic musicals or if you are short and can't arrive early (the stage is low, making for poor visibility from many seats).
See it if You like all musicals
Don't see it if You are offended if an Arab character is played by a white guy.