"Much of this is clever and funny, but much is not; the humor’s original only in spots, its appeal depending heavily on the performative charms of the stars (who harmonize nicely) and the catchiness of several tunes...If you’re thinking women might not go for this show, think again. My guest was a woman, and she liked it even more than I...In fact, maybe you have to be a real woman to get the most out of 'Real Men'."
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"With 'The Real Men: The Musical,' the title alone may cause incipient stomach grumbling, but don't be discouraged...They are so off-the-cuff engaging that they completely avoid the macho posturing that could infect this sort of endeavor...It would be a pleasure to report they're often in the wrong about the clichés of male foolishness, but they aren't."
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"Some of the lyrics were hysterical; some were a bit dated.. They reiterate the point that men are limited in their thinking and that it is a universal disease. The production definitely caters to the older bridge and tunnel crowd. Married and divorced couples will get it but younger theater-goers might need variety in the music and a younger perspective."
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"It has been proven that men and women differ on the subject of humor. Often times, women lack the gene that allows us to find the hilarity in vulgar 'locker room' guy talk. However, Paul Louis and Nick Santa Maria, creators and writers of 'Real Men Sing Show Tunes…And Play with Puppets,' find a way to appeal to both sexes with clever rhymes, well-timed skits and the occasional shocking curveball."
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"Like nearly everything else in this inane 90-minute revue, there is no greater point. The song is a cheap laugh, the costume is a cheap laugh, everything is a cheap laugh — and so, ultimately, is the show... The direction gets you from first scene to last, and the performances aren't inept. And there's enough thrown at you that, by the law of averages, some things are bound to stick — I cackled, against my will, at the adorably sadistic way a little girl puppet kept kicking her new stepdad."
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"Though there were a couple of technical issues on the night attended, the actors seemed to handle it rather smoothly. They all have an awareness of the audience that allows them to gear reaction to bits, and hold for laughs without breaking pacing... Despite the opening and closing numbers being a bit lacking in punch and memorability, 'Real Men' is enjoyable form start to finish; and with all the musical revues written for women, it seems one for men is overdue."
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"The music is catchy and fun with some touching ballads, the sketch’s amusing. David Arisco keeps this show at a clip and knows how to make a gag go over. When the giant phallus makes it’s appearance in full glory, it is then whacked to a shrunken version of its former self."
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"Director David Arisco knows how to win the audience over. And that’s with cheap laughs. Arisco and his actors play into visual gags in the majority of their bits. The visual humor is never dry. Abundant, but hilarious... With nearly thirty numbers and costume changes between each, Arisco was forced to keep the transitions quick otherwise of the natives would have gotten restless. 'Real Men' is meant for a cabaret space, not an actual theater as some of the jokes will drive you to drink."
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