Songbird NYC Reviews and Tickets
Member Reviews (40)
See it if you like any country music
Don't see it if You want something 100% cheerful
See it if you want to see a superb (and musical) adaptation of Chekhov's "Seagull" that will reinforce the genius of the original text.
Don't see it if you will be bothered by a little literary clumsiness resulting from incorporating songs into a very faithful adaptation.
See it if you like classic theatre (the seagull) turned on its side and infused with new life.
Don't see it if you're not a fan of small, intimate musicals.
See it if you want to see a beautiful American translation of Chekhov into the heart of Country music. Nashville meets The Seagull w/ BEAUTIFUL songs.
Don't see it if you hate country music or Chekhov (though I usually am bored by Chekhov but LOVED this).
See it if you're a fan of new takes on old stories or fun music, even if you don't like country music. I don't like country but the music was great
Don't see it if you're not a fan of The Seagull by Chekhov or if the thought of listening to country music really makes you want to die
See it if You like country music, shows with darker themes but light hearts, and a real message about how our relationships and actions affect others
Don't see it if You don't like real country music (as opposed to country-pop)
See it if you want to see a fantastic adaptation of a classic show. (And also if you love Kate Baldwin!)
Don't see it if you don't like country music.
See it if You enjoy country music or you don’t! Story supercedes any predisposition you may have for the genre. Actors were incredible.
Don't see it if You are looking for something fun and light-hearted. Read more
Critic Reviews (26)
"'Songbird' proves to be one of the more successful attempts to transpose Chekhov’s major plays...Powered by a terrific country score, with a strong assist from Kimmel’s smart contemporary version of the text, the show succeeds in snugly reframing the story in the world of country music...Under the finely honed direction of JV Mercanti, all the performers are excellent...The production makes up in earthy humor what it may lack in emotional depth."
Read more
"Pritchard pens warm, catchy tunes, performed with casual ease by the talented cast. The large ensemble genuinely seems to be having fun with each other in JV Mercanti's likable production…Kimmel doesn’t do the greatest job of blending music and story...He has given himself the unenviable task of trying to condense the plot of a four-act Russian classic—and it does feel squeezed."
Read more
"With gorgeous original songs, 'Songbird' is an attractive, albeit sleepy new musical with a distinctively American sound...While the musical performances are spot-on, Michael Kimmel's book scenes make a twee first impression that eventually fades to maudlin...director J.V. Mercanti is never able to push beyond the theme park artifice of the script, leading to our somewhat shallow connection to the story and characters."
Read more
"'Songbird' has a very broad appeal and will please theatre lovers and country music fans as the production combines an intriguing story with excellent music. See this theatrical gem."
Read more
"The idea of setting 'The Seagull' to a Nashville beat isn't entirely bad. But it would probably take a far more ambitious and original approach to make it work, one less slavishly devoted to the original's character and plot structure. 'Songbird' is weighed down by the effort of the book's author, Michael Kimmel, to transpose every detail of the original play into a new context. The result is often airless, an act of pedantry rather than a vital work of drama."
Read more
"Truly, though, this is an ensemble effort, and everyone contributes 110 percent. I do believe, however, that the overall production would have been strengthened by using Chekhov as inspiration rather than as a template. As it stands, too much emphasis has been placed on staying true to 'The Seagull,' leading to predictable and melodramatic plot turns. Despite a slew of first-rate performances, 'Songbird' needs some breathing room of its own in order to soar."
Read more
"'Songbird' is not only an excellent Americanized version of the Chekhov classic but works beautifully in its own right. If it has any flaws, it is that it could use more ideas beyond its source material. Even though the plot will be familiar to those who know 'The Seagull,' it is still a moving, engrossing musical experience. Incidentally, the bird that Dean accidentally kills here is a bluebird, more fitting for a Nashville story."
Read more
"The requisite themes of 'The Seagull' are threaded throughout and each character created in beautiful detail. There’s an enormous amount of talent in the cast and they are ably directed…'Songbird' doesn’t quite thrill. The concept is promising, the actors beautifully cast and clearly interesting, but the music and lyrics are predictable. Somehow the country and western conceit pulls 'The Seagull' into cliché...Nevertheless, it’s a worthwhile experience, created with heart and talent."
Read more