Rock and Roll Refugee NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (3)
See it if you like Jewish immigrant stories, musicals, human happiness and suffering, fine performers, humor, depression and "off beat" techniques.
Don't see it if you dislike plays that engender, at times, depression, use a lot of profanity and present day language in a past historical period.
See it if You love an inspiring story of a woman's rise from hardship, plus incredible singing and acting.
Don't see it if You don't like Janis Joplin type singing.
See it if See it if you're a music aficionado who's fascinated by the life of Elton John.
Don't see it if Not see it if you're not a fan of Elton John's music or if biographical narratives don't capture your interest.
Critic Reviews (5)
"A invigorating coming-of-age bio-musical...It doesn’t have a breakout song, but it does have some powerhouse production numbers. Thanks to Dee Roscioli, who plays Goldie as she ages from childhood to the cusp of adulthood, it also has a heart-grabbing way of depicting an inborn passion…Bits of the book need clarifying, and pruning is in order, but there’s something exciting here."
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"'Rock And Roll Refugee' is filled with hard rocking numbers written by Ravan…With the show the heavy lifting in terms of the singing is left to the vocal prowess of Katrina Rose Dideriksen, a terrific belter…She is backed by an equally talented three-piece band…It is the music that matters most, along with Genya Ravan's strong and resilient personality that shines through no matter what obstacles block her path."
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"Writer-director Chris Henry takes us through Goldie’s quest for autonomy…Music functions as thematic link and saving grace, with autobiographical songs and a spirited ensemble carrying us through the story’s progression…Simultaneously a classic underdog story and a strikingly specific tale of one woman’s rise to fame, 'Rock and Roll Refugee' traverses the liminal spaces of memory and identity, epitomizing art’s potential to bridge this gap and lead us to a brighter future."
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"'Rock and Roll Refugee' is a very gritty musical with an inspiring story...Ms. Renyan’s story is a truly sad, yet inspiring account of survival and triumph…As Genuysha, Ms. Dideriksen gives a very powerful, uninhibited performance…As the book writer and director, Chris Henry kept the action moving in a seamless way. The material never seemed to get bogged down by clichés…I truly hope 'Rock and Roll Refugee' will have another life after this limited run."
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"This musical thrives in music and lyrics but falls into the traps that similar musicals can't avoid…'Rock and Roll Refugee' has a lot going for it but when it comes down to it, the book is sadly holding it back. The elements are present but when it comes to storytelling, some polishing needs to happen otherwise it will join the ranks of the strong songbook, poor story jukebox musicals."
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