"Anderson’s performance is the highlight...Unfortunately, Matt August’s staging and Ms. Shaffer’s book and lyrics are less evocative and less witty than they need to be—Ms. Shaffer flirts with satire in some of the retreat scenes, only to hastily pull back. Ms. Teng, a singer-songwriter of standing who also contributed lyrics, fares better with the music, even if Sid gets all the best songs."
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"A work of wit, grace, and yes, enlightenment...Telling this story requires worldliness as well as soulfulness; miraculously, the cast, crew, and creators of 'The Fourth Messenger' pull it off. Teng's harmonious music balances her and Shaffer's punchy lyrics...Nancy Anderson shines as a figure at once enlightened and flawed...While 'The Fourth Messenger' isn't perfect, it is human, and that's good enough."
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"There’s a lot to love here–which makes it almost more frustrating. Because with a tweak or two, 'The Fourth Messenger' could be outstanding...The weakness of the plot and character development right at the outset had me fighting what I was watching instead of accepting it. Which was actually a shame because I loved the music and lyrics...And I was extremely impressed with the performances by Nancy Anderson as Mama Sid and Samia Mounts as Raina."
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"The unfolding of the relationship is engaging and quite interesting and Anderson and Mounts scrape away at each other’s layers of deception and denial with consummate skill and unencumbered grace...Shaffer's book and lyrics and Teng’s music offer a compelling story of 'redemption and release'...Under August’s skillful direction, the members of the cast deliver compelling performances. Malotke’s choreography is serviceable...Worth the visit."
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"Intriguing and well-produced...The big revelation definitely took me by surprise, but doesn’t pass the plausibility test. If the twist makes the plot less sturdy than its themes, the musical is very nearly redeemed by its numbers. Director August and choreographer Malotke put the show’s talented cast to good use, and musical director Lozano makes the most of Teng’s music...There is enough beauty here that my hope is ‘The Fourth Messenger’ lives on past the NYMF–after extensive rewrites."
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"I absolutely loved 'The Fourth Messenger' despite its flaws, which is that we know the ending from the very beginning...The music of Vienna Teng’s Broadway, eclectic, jazz, folk-rock mantra-infused score is simplistic and driving all in the same breath. Tanya Shaffer’s rewriting of the Buddha story is inspired and accessible. Her lyrics speak to the mysteries of the heart...This show has a polished clean look that is well thought out...This show focuses on two stellar performances."
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