“As disjointed as Mr. Holtzman’s script is, Ms. Burns, who created the part in the play’s 2014 premiere, holds the production together...Burns captures Holliday’s vocal mannerisms, wit and comic timing. But she also connects with Holliday’s vulnerability. When Ms. Burns, who, refreshingly, does not wear a body microphone, melts into ‘What’ll I Do’ or ‘It must be Christmas’, it’s easy to forget who is singing. And that is not an impersonation, but a performance.”
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“The frustratingly sketchy and episodic play somehow leaves you wanting more and less at the same time...A plethora of biographical material is dealt with in just 90 minutes, making it more inexplicable that the playwright also felt the need to musicalize the proceedings...Burns superbly conveys Holliday's charm, comic gifts and emotional complexity. And the supporting players handle their multiple assignments with protean skill."
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"Will keep you enthralled from the first minute to the last...Get your tickets now for this unforgettable theatrical and musical experience...The score is wonderfully performed and perfectly designed to bring the story of 'Smart Blonde' full circle...The Design Team has done a top job of bringing the mood of the 1950's and 60's to the stage."
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“’Smart Blonde’ is a collection of sound bites trying to pass as biographical drama...Trouble is, so much happens so quickly that none of it has any impact...The script's many factoids are presented without sufficient context...Burns creates a plausible version of the sometimes-troubled woman...It's a fascinating performance, filled with eccentric gestures that would seem false or bizarre on any other performer, but which on her are incontrovertibly right.”
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“Holtzman's sketchy by-the-numbers bio play...Leaves us wanting more...Directed at a fast pace but without much ingenuity...The play is made up of short scenes about Holliday's life...’Smart Blonde’ touches upon much that begs for a richer and fuller treatment than what we are getting here...There is plenty of material to command a strong play or musical about Judy Holliday. Regrettably, this isn't it.”
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"The actress does not offer a precise catalogue of Holliday’s attributes nor a step-by-step impersonation, but she smoothly and convincingly (and entertainingly) brings to life this representation...Instead of creating a compelling play, he offers episodes from the life of Judy Holliday. Many are highly amusing, especially as staged by Peter Flynn and breezily performed by three versatile actors who cover all bases...Burns is constantly and unflaggingly winning."
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"Holliday’s learning how – and why – to inhabit the role of the dumb blonde is a strong throughline up to this point, but it falls short of effectively delineating all of Holliday’s complex life, and that structural flaw leaves this play less satisfying than Holliday deserves. Under the direction of Peter Flynn, the cast performances, however, do much to make up for this drawback."
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“Willy Holtzman has written ‘Smart Blonde’ to amend this situation. ‘Smart Blonde’ takes on, perhaps, too much, telling Holliday's entire life in ultimately unsatisfactory tiny chunks, never digging deep enough, but held together by its hardworking star, Andréa Burns (who was just as terrific in ‘On Your Feet’ and ‘In the Heights’).”
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