Subways are for Sleeping
About the show
The York revives this musical comedy where a reporter gets a new point of view when she goes undercover to get the scoop on an unusual group of New Yorkers: well-dressed homeless people sleeping in the NYC subway system.
... Read more'Subways Are for Sleeping' tells the tale of Angie, a reporter sent to get the scoop on a segment of NYC society that lives by their own rules. Going undercover, Angie learns how the carefree other half lives and begins to see there might be another way to experience the world.
The Musicals in Mufti Series presents three to five concert revival readings of underappreciated Broadway musicals for 10 performances each. "Mufti" means "in everyday clothes, without all the trappings of a large production," and each show is presented script-in-hand, with minimal staging
"An effervescent production...A sparkling treasure trove from start to finish, so much so that one wonders why it's never had a major remounting...A marvelous example of the kind of musical that flourished during Broadway's so-called Golden Age...Pure delight: lighter than air, quirky, sweetly romantic, and filled with spritely Styne tunes...It could hardly have a better cast...Directed with panache...Soars like a free-flying kite." Full Review
"Has a delightful score, an interesting book and lyrics by Betty Comdem and Adolph Green and a talented cast that makes you fall in love with them...Eric William Morris is a find...Stuart Ross directs this piece like a subway train, perfectly tuned, comedically well paced, to a winning finish...Jule Styne’s music shows blue notes, that drift off into satisfying musical endings. I would love to see this piece fully staged." Full Review
"I find it curious 'Subways' hasn't been revived before now. It has charm and more than a few worthy songs...Louis has a lovely voice, but performs with so little expression...Surely the character feels something else over the course of the story...Morris is appealingly animated throughout...Milo plays Martha as if the part were written for her...Josefberg is adorable...An actor of multi-faceted talent...The assembled cast is vivacious. Direction by Stuart Ross is zippy and evocative." Full Review
"A lively treat, thanks to an excellent, larger-than-usual cast and the entertaining qualities of the show itself. It adds up to a a welcome experience of rediscovery and pure fun...Some of the book is a stretch, but that is redeemed by plenty of funny lines, appealing romance, and the smart array of songs that Styne and his lyricists provided. As usual, The York has assembled a superb cast to bring the show to new life...The highlights come from this very engaged cast." Full Review
"A charming musical from the early 1960’s...Director Stuart Ross, who in 34 hours of rehearsal pulled together a show that felt fully staged...The biggest reason to go see 'Subways Are for Sleeping' — and passengers, you should be so lucky as to be delayed by track work — is to listen to the song gems in this musical...By show's end, this seemingly corny, charmingly kooky musical proves to not be dated at all. It is deceptively deep." Full Review
"Stuart Ross made excellent choices, and brilliantly directed this show with an outstanding cast...One of the highlights of this production was the inclusion of Styne’s amazing overture for the show as the projection of his hand written musical chart filled the screen. Thanks to the York Theatre for keeping the history of musical theater alive, and for producing new works and encouraging new writers!" Full Review
"Morris' Tom is slick and humorous...Milo is quite adorable as Martha, showing solid comic chops...Josefsberg is a blast as Charlie...highlighted by his hilarious display of passionate urges...Ross' production, despite the heavy use of music stands, is fast and funny, featuring a talented supporting ensemble of six...May not be the best musical of the century, but the York's concert production is quite an enjoyable ride." Full Review
"The York's bare-bones staging should do little to encourage latter-day impresarios to revisit 'Subways', but it goes a long way on enthusiasm and charm...The book, remains as pleasingly quaint as the promise of getting some shut-eye on the 2 line...Morris and Louis, both cute as buttons and effortlessly likable...Anyone who catches this production during its short run will be similarly disarmed." Full Review
"The score to 'Subways' represents Styne at his most delightfully tuneful...As good as the score is, the book surrounding it is borderline ridiculous...The denouement is thoroughly contrived, reaching just shy of deus ex machina territory...All that said, the characters are pretty darned appealing, especially as revered by the York's current cast...It's more than worth seeing for the delightful score and wonderfully committed cast. As for the book, well…did I mention the wonderful songs?" Full Review
"Unfortunately, the original problem with the material has not been solved: Tom and Angie are just not very interesting. They have little or no back story and no outstanding characteristics. As was famously true in the original production, the show is stolen by the secondary leads. With their continually inventive schemes to get through each day, slacker Charlie who lives off his former friends and would-be nightclub performer Martha with her Southern accent are a total delight." Full Review
"The show is more of a fun romp than a true treatise on homelessness...The ending is a little too unrealistic as if the problem of homelessness can be so easily solved...If you just take the show for the its entertainment value, the characters are likable, the songs are fun, and the love story at its center is engaging. However, these days shows that deal with serious subjects tend to do so in much more serious way. Maybe that's why these show has been forgotten for so many years." Full Review
See it if You love musicals from the Golden Age. The score is one glorious Jule Styne tune after another.
Don't see it if don't like seeing the actors holding their scripts or have aversions to hope and happiness.
See it if you accept on-script, street-clothes, no set show; you love old musicals with tuneful songs & clever lyrics, a talented cast and NO MICS!
Don't see it if you need full staging, orchestra, costumes Broadway show. You don't like musicals. You are cynical and mean-spirited.
See it if you love musicals. Eric Morris was wonderful; Gino Milo added the right comic touch as did David Josefsberg. Ms. Louis' voice was lovely.
Don't see it if you do not like shows where the cast uses a script. But in truth, it did not matter in this fine production.
Also The talk back after the matinee with the cast and director is always a... Read more Read less
See it if you want to hear a great Jule Styne score with clever Comden/Green lyrics.
Don't see it if you need to see a big, polished work. Actors are on book here, but they manage some terrific acting--even while connected to music stands.
See it if You love Jule Styne’s oeuvre and musicals from Broadway’s golden era
Don't see it if You would be offended by a lighthearted look at a deadly serious subject: homelessness and joblessness
See it if you like musicals; you enjoy the Mufti series; you like Jule Styne's work; you like intimate theater; you didn't get to see the original
Don't see it if for some reason you need a big, splashy Broadway musical
See it if you like old fashioned musicals with terrific music and wonderful performances and are forgiving of a book that needs work.
Don't see it if You can't appreciate elements of an entertaining, hopeful musical when the overall might not be firing on all cylinders.
See it if you can get to the York. Everything gels: acting, singing, script, lyrics, tunes, staging. SAFS is dated, but who cares? It's delightful.
Don't see it if you need a good plot; this is silly, contrived. But charming characters & terrific songs.Strong performances. Did I mention, it's delightul?
See it if you enjoy an old-fashioned musical that leaves you feeling happy. Wonderful revival features Julie Styne's music with great songs.
Don't see it if you don't like musical comedy or wonderfully talented actors singing a great score.
See it if you want to experience a rarely performed musical that has many qualities including a charming score and performers.
Don't see it if you want fully staged musicals...performers are in script and scenery is modest.
See it if Like old fashioned musicals. Interesting take on homelessness. Delightful music. Talented cast.
Don't see it if You dislike old fashioned rather ridiculous story.
See it if A fun cast brings this mufti musical to life again with a charming score and music that bounces along with this serious story.
Don't see it if You may find this musical a bit dated and the subject about people on the edge sleeping in the subway a turn off.
See it if You want a chance to see a rarely revived musical (even with some reworking) in a concert style production.delightful - fun & terrific cast
Don't see it if You don’t appreciate past musicals that are a bit quirky or only want to see a full production.
Also Winning cast that was terrific. An enjoyable performance of a old show... Read more Read less
See it if curious about other shows by Styne; to see charismatic talented leading man Eric William Morris.
Don't see it if you're expecting a hidden gem. It's not bad, but it never convinced me that homelessness would be a viable option for these characters.
See it if you want to see a lighthearted romantic musical involving homeless people in NYC in 1961.
Don't see it if you're not interested in a romanticizing of homelessness.
See it if you'd like to see a rarely performed show with some great Jules Styne tunes, eager, enthusiastic cast overcoming odd,dated book,
Don't see it if you expect a fully staged production, not attracted to musical about the "quality" unemployed/homeless living temporarily on subways
See it if You appreciate Mufti productions with no frills and have always wondered about the show
Don't see it if You are expecting full tilt costumes and sets and have no curiosity about this score
See it if you want to see a well acted rarely produced musical with good songs by a famous composer, Jule Styne.
Don't see it if you don't like musicals that deal with serious subjects in a somewhat light way.
See it if you like musicals and have 2 free hours. Second act is delightful.
Don't see it if well, you can't it is over now.
See it if you want to see a truly bizarre golden age musical performed expertly, especially by Alyse Alan Louis and Eric William Morris.
Don't see it if a staged reading doesn't interest you. There's very little staging, and some moments really suffer for that.
See it if you like musicals with clever lyrics, fun story lines, strong singing
Don't see it if you expect an attractive set, you don't enjoy a performance that's similar to a read-thru rehearsal.
Cast & Creatives (16)
Play a fun game
Get alerts about your favorite artists and theater companies
