Smokey Joe’s Cafe: The Songs of Leiber & Stoller

See it if You want to see some great singing and dancing with basically zero plot or storyline. It’s a revue. No dialogue. Just good music.

Don't see it if You want anything more than song and dance. This is one staged number after another, nothing really connects them other than the cafe.

Also There was a lot of talent here and if you like these songs you might like this more than I did but I found it hard to connect with the performers. It felt cold except for one number,”Pearl’s A Singer”.... Read more Read less

See it if Loved every toe tapping minute of it. The talent of the singers and musicians covered every inch of the theater. Will see again!

Don't see it if You don’t like revues. This is all songs non stop.., no plot.

See it if Nonstop musical revue. Great singing and dancing by a talented 9-member cast plus band. Good selection of songs & transitions between them

Don't see it if You want a narrative. There is none.

See it if singing and dancing appeal. The performers are wonderful. The songs are mostly familiar. The staging is engaging and varied. A fun evening.

Don't see it if you expect plot or characters. Each song is its own little story but there is no overall through line of personality or role.

See it if Off-B'way version of B'way hit that ran for 5 years. Forty pop gems revamped w/ talented singing and dancing cast. Evenly paced w/ great set

Don't see it if The venue has a poor track record for sustaining hit shows. Pity.

See it if you want to turn your brain off and just "have a good time."

Don't see it if you want to think or see anything original or inventive on stage.

See it if This is all Singing, Music and Dancing. You will see some very talent sings.

Don't see it if If you want a story.

Also This is my first time seeing Smokey Joe's Cafe. The Whole Cast was great. I went with Show-score social, after the show some of the cast did a talk back which was great.... Read more Read less

See it if You love doo-wop music sung by a capable cast, and are seeking very lighthearted fare.

Don't see it if You dislike revues or think that because this played 5 years on Broadway, it’s something special. It’s slightly above average.

See it if Impeccable cast, high-energy, perfectly directed, even some dancing with audience members in aisles. Not one weak link in the cast.

Don't see it if You are in the mood for a drama instead of a fast-paced musical.

See it if you want to have fun dancing in your seat with everyone else. Impossible not to shake your head and tap your feet. Very talented cast.

Don't see it if you're looking for the normal format of a musical or a script and storyline. This is a revue that makes you smile and feel good.

Also Doesn't matter if you call it a play, a musical or a revue, just see it. If you want an uplifting, joyous evening "forget your troubles, c'mon get happy."... Read more Read less

See it if you want to become acquainted with the Lieber and Stoller songbook. Their tunes are performed by a dynamite cast of nine.

Don't see it if Just see it for an utterly delightful evening. These songs will never go out of style.

See it if You want a specacular time in the theatre! Sing and dancing are super and the music is memorable.

Don't see it if You need a plot.

See it if Everyone finds something to love in the Leiber and Stoller catalogue, you will too. Chart topping songs for many well-known singers.

Don't see it if You want a backstory to go along with great song writing. You are not in the mood for an evening of up tempo music and dancing.

See it if Revue of Lieber & Stoller songbook with 10 excellent singers. Great dancing, too. Loved Dwayne Cooper's amazing basso voice.

Don't see it if Jelani Remy's Jailhouse Rock was great. Loved Alysha Umphress, too. No plot, no dialogue -- just great singing. The audience went wild!

See it if you enjoy classic rock and roll performed with joy and spirit.

Don't see it if you're looking for a plot or themes that hold the music together. This is basically a very well done cabaret show.

See it if you like high-energy performances, great singing, and many familiar songs. The cast gives it their all and have wonderful voices.

Don't see it if you don't like jukebox musicals or revues and would rather see something with a building story arc.

See it if you enjoy jukebox musicals (no lame story line) performed by a super talented cast & a great band. Joyful entertainment.

Don't see it if you don't care for 50's-60's music; if you prefer a story line.

Also It's so infectious that people in the audience were dancing in the aisles. What a cast. What a band. What fun!... Read more Read less

See it if Good staging, good choreography, performance excellent. Although a revival, music from 1960's, a fun experience.

Don't see it if Music may be too dated for some, no plot, little dialogue, all music.

See it if you enjoy nostalgic rock music. Very talented cast. Upbeat, fun with one great song after another. No plot, but none needed

Don't see it if you don't like the music of the 50's and 60's, or you need a story line with your music.

Also I saw this show on Broadway a number of years ago. While that version was more polished to perfection, this was just as much fun.... Read more Read less

See it if If you want to have a delightful evening, watching an enormously talented cast.

Don't see it if if you need a story-line to link the songs together. No dialogue, just great singing and dancing and musicianship.

Also "You're gonna need an ocean ... of Calomine lotion." These oldies but goodies are the hits of my youth -- which makes me an oldie (but goody?).... Read more Read less

See it if You love the songs of Leiber and Stoller. Great cast who go full out to entertain the audience.

Don't see it if You want a plot, this is a revue. But such a good revue, just a great fun night.

See it if Top notch singing & dancing, great energy, great set; as long as you know this is just a concert of songs with no story, it was enjoyable.

Don't see it if While there were definitely hit songs, about half felt like lesser-quality filler. While enjoyable, it was nothing more than that.

See it if and only if you never saw the original production on Broadway.

Don't see it if you believe in the old adage, IF IT AIN’T BROKEN, DON’T FIX IT!

Also From 1995 to 2000, the musical known as Smokey Joe’s Café ran on Broadway for over 2000 performances. The show made Broadway royalty out of several performers that originated roles in the show - Brenda Braxton, B. J. Crosby, Pattie D'Arcy Jones, and DeLee Lively. Now, 18 years after the show last played Broadway, this revival comes out of nowhere and danes to make a mark against the history that this show left behind. To add insult to injury, four songs from the original run of the show have been cut and replaced by two lesser know Leiber & Stoller songs. I didn’t like the set, the costumes, nor the new choreography. Even though Alysha Umphress hits home runs with two of the new songs added to this revival, the show reminds me more of a college production rather than a triumphant return to the great white way. SKIP this disappointing production by ALL means necessary.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy revues (zero story) or jukebox musicals. Beautiful show w/extremely talented cast. 90min of non-stop toe-tapping & hand-clapping.

Don't see it if you need a story w/an arc. High-energy, nostalgic yet refreshing, cool fun, humorous, romantic, heart-breaking. Barely catches its breath.

Also Saw original cast in '95, & Gladys Knight in '99.

Revival's energy is powerful. Even though not every song (40!) gets a full turn, the fast-paced action barely breaks for ballads. Performers, band, audience... EVERYONE begs for an intermission (it's the one caveat).

Exceptional singing & performing. Everyone is in full overdrive. Zero let-up. No one phones-it-in. Masterful, professional, not common today & very much appreciated. Likable cast: everyone smiles & laughs while playing off one another's antics & comedic turns.

Stand-outs: Dionne Figgins can do no wrong; Dwayne Cooper ("Milan" on Rupaul's Drag Race): remarkable bass range; Kyle Parker: hysterical (Searchin); Alysha Umphress: heart-breaking (Pearl's a Singer); John Edwards SLAYS (I Who Have Nothing); underrated Nicole Ortiz shocks: (Fools Fall in Love).

GO SEE IT. Beautiful visuals: set, moving-stage band, lighting, costumes, choreography. All well thought-out & executed.

It's my new "Trip of Love" (13 times, don't ask).... Read more Read less

See it if You want an exciting fun evening with fabulous songs and a cast and musicians that melt all your woes away. Addictive. I wanna go back

Don't see it if If you like book musical or plays.