Sweetee

See it if Some good songs, well-sung. The young leads are talented; everyone tries hard. The band is good. Nice costumes.

Don't see it if you want a coherent plot with an emotional impact. This is a mess. Many of the dull songs should be cut. Other songs should be lengthened.

See it if You want to see a show that has a couple good singers but no great songs and a poorly written book. It's not a total waste of time.

Don't see it if You want a good show. You need to find things to like about this. Some good talent they were just not given good material to work with.

See it if You want to hear very talented singers. You like Southern-style music. You want a musical w/a social message.

Don't see it if You want good acting from the whole cast: some are painful! You want a clear story: there are unexplained plot points & time jumps.

See it if you enjoy new musicals, black singing groups in the 30's-40's, fan of jazz and gospel, tracing growth of a shy young female to assertiveness

Don't see it if musicals in development are not your thing, issues of abuse discomfort you, expect large production numbers, too much coincidence

See it if You like small ensembles with varying talents. Costumes and a few moments are good, but the cast is not well-served by the script.

Don't see it if You want creative staging or sets. Although the cast works hard, at times it felt merely like a good high school production.

Also Mostly ambivalent about this production. Didn't ever hate it, but found myself bored occasionally. It's slow and could benefit from some good editing.

Saw this at Pershing Square Signature Center in late May, 2017.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy an interesting story about a black girl growing up in deep south in the 30s. Very excellent performance by girl who played Sweetee

Don't see it if you don't like stories about Jim Crow South. The story does show how one can rise despite bad beginnings

See it if You like supporting actors most of whom are making their off-Broadway debuts. You like slow musicals with tons of songs that sound the same.

Don't see it if You want a fast-paced musical, you want to feel the emotions (rather than one-dimensional flat & boring characters).

See it if You appreciate an ambitious new musical with a large, talented cast for such a small production. You're interested in Jim Crow south stories

Don't see it if You were hoping for a greater emotional pull. Songs are okay, but lacking any showstoppers which is unfortunate since cast has the pipes.

See it if Small, intimate musical theatre.

Don't see it if You're looking for a BROADWAY musical

See it if You're okay with works in progress.

Don't see it if You don't like works in progress.

See it if A musical concerning social and political issues of the South in the 1930's. Although the cast tried hard the material was limited.

Don't see it if You do not like small budget off Broadway musicals.

See it if you'd enjoy listening to great music, strong singers, & experiencing a debuting ingenue. Musically entertaining; sadly, script is very weak.

Don't see it if you're expecting a BIG epic musical. Minimal set, though perfect for small house. Show has SO much potential, just not quite fulfilled yet.

Also Story takes a weird turn, pulled outta NO WHERE. Predictability is one thing; but a weird twist outta the blue... and then not really explained and/or resolved later... makes an already weak script even more disappointing. Still worth seeing, in hopes it will continue to be reworked and eventually remounted.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a mildly entertaining musical about an orphan singing troupe in the 1940's South, and all the hardships in a weak musical

Don't see it if you don't want to see a musical that should have been moving and heartwarming, but lacked that emotional punch and connection.

See it if You want to see a show early in its development that needs lots of work, that's what this run should provide .

Don't see it if You want character development and great singing , still not sure who or why we were watching these people

See it if You like to see a developing musical with a super cast, great jazzy score, and a wonderful group of talent.

Don't see it if If you need a fully staged musical with full set. You can use you imagination with Sweetee and it's wonderful

See it if you don't mind a somewhat amateurish production with a charming cast who give it their all.

Don't see it if you want something highly polished.

See it if You enjoy a throwback to a simpler time with some great singing and staging

Don't see it if You want a contemporary non-involving Broadway production

See it if you enjoy eating cake batter before it gets the chance to become, with all the all the magical ingredients, it's intended purpose.

Don't see it if you prefer to eat a fully baked cake, icing and all.

Also Like the song from the 1989 Broadway musical City of Angels states, “It Needs Work!” or rather REWORKING. I had been looking forward to experiencing this new musical, but as it turns out, my anticipation was NOT quenched by the lack luster production I sat through. This new “musical” was premature at birth and only showed brief signs of life during the two hour running time. It could be a POWERFUL new musical (for Broadway even) if some tweeks were made as follows: The RECASTING/REPLACEMENT with seasoned musical theater actors who have strong voices and acting ability; the costumes needs to reflect real period clothing; the choreography needs to be FRESH; the NOISY wooden set needs to be burned and replaced with site specific set pieces; and lastly the music and lyrics need to be scrapped.The new concept for the show should be part Purlie, a dash of the Color Purple, with a smidge of Ain't Misbehavin. This reconceived production would have had the audience jumping out of their seats... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see up & coming actors in a heart-warming show, great singing by Jelani Alladin & Jordan Tyson, if you support young actors.

Don't see it if You expect a Tony winning show, elaborate stage, huge theatre or a show that is tight. Needs a bit of work.

Also Glad to have seen it. The two protagonist (Jelani & Jordan) have great voices. Good to see a show comprised mainly of young people who are making their Off-Broadway debut. This is a good stepping stone for them. Small theatre makes for an intimate setting, and actors are all over the theatre so sometimes it was hard to know where to focus. Needs a bit if work, but I enjoyed it.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see people essentially walking in circles.

Don't see it if you need actors to have chemistry or plotting to be original.

See it if you like a jazz musical. The young cast is exuberant and fun to watch. The story is a little weak, but it is still a fun play.

Don't see it if don't like musicals or shows that are a bit predictable.

See it if if you want to see young actors/singers tell the story of blacks growing up in the south - not a new story, but always an emotional one.

Don't see it if if you are looking for a great musical with consistent singing and a well developed plot and script

Also I did enjoy this show as the music was upbeat and enjoyable, even though the singing was not consistent. The role and singing of Cat Jones and Hedy were consistently strong; the role of Sweetee was good at time - but she seemed to hold back a bit when singing. I found myself wondering if this play would work better by switching the roles of Hedy and Sweetee - but it also needs improvement in the plot and script.

I saw this show at the Pershing Square theater in May 2017.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a well acted show with a touching story and nice music.

Don't see it if you don't like shows about kids that form bands or that deal with big issues like poverty and racial injustice.

See it if you like experiencing unknown musicals and don't mind a bare bones production... There are lots of talented people in the cast...

Don't see it if you want a show that's in a big venue with elaborate sets and costumes...

See it if Delightful and talented cast is enough to let you overlook the clichéd story.

Don't see it if Excellent musical talent isn't enough to overcome the tired same old story you know by heart.