The Goree All-Girl String Band (NYMF) NYC Reviews and Tickets
About the Show
Part of the New York Musical Festival: The year is 1938 and The Goree All-Girl String Band is the biggest new radio sensation in Texas. They also happen to be convicted criminals.
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See it if You want to see a very upbeat and wonderful play like Come From Away.
Don't see it if You don't like true stories that have a folksie tune.
See it if You like women singing and acting in harmony, in a true story from the Great Depression
Don't see it if You are prejudiced against convicts and/or women
See it if This new musical has a cast of fantastic actors who are also fantastic musicians. The story is good, everyone gets a solo, a fun evening
Don't see it if You don't like country music or shows like Bright Star. It's not perfect yet, there is some writing that needs a little clarification
See it if you enjoy country music and an inspiring plot based on true story of female prison inmates who formed a band.
Don't see it if you do not like country western music. Read more
See it if you like C-W music. GASB has many terrific songs, well performed. True story plot fascinates. Great talent on stage. Better than Bright Star
Don't see it if you dislike ALL musicals, but GASB is special. It needs trimming. Too many solos; loses focus. Big Act II song for lead fizzles. Read more
See it if You like a fact based story with country western music. You enjoy seeing actors & musicians playing dual roles. But some trimming is needed
Don't see it if You dislike a simple set musical, with a Texas/country western flavor. No frothy, fun stuff here.
See it if Heartfelt dramatic musical about female inmates at Texas prison farm during the 30's.Great musical pastiche with impressive work from cast
Don't see it if Book need to be fleshed out w/more characterization & pace needs tightening but even still a crowd-pleaser Best of NYMF 2017
See it if want to see a stage full of women singing their asses off. Like redemption stories.
Don't see it if dislike country music. Are a misogynist.
Critic Reviews (6)
"The show is frustrating, though, because for all the lovely vocal harmonies of the prisoners, and for all the sweet sounds of their string instruments (cello, fiddle, bass, banjo, guitar), the songs are largely unmemorable, the lyrics and dialogue larded with clichés. And while this cast is abundantly talented, the characters are so thinly written and the plot so meandering that it’s hard to feel invested."
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"One of NYMF's best offerings...A sweet story of female friendship, the reclamation of agency, and the healing power of music—themes that in Bradley's book can sometimes drift into the formulaic, but in their unique context and with clear direction by Monroe, remain compelling. It's the story that hooks you, but it's the music that keeps you there...It's all a pretty joyful platform for the cast's musicianship...On the whole, 'Goree' seems to have a bright future ahead."
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“Successfully couches a message about redemption through music in a consistently funny play…It is ultimately the humanity of these women ‘who've done bad’ that emerges from Bradley's well-plotted book and the fine acting of ‘Goree's’ ensemble…The songs in Act II are stronger than those in the first act…The last few songs are anti-climactic…But the ensemble finale is grand, and the ‘The Goree All-Girl String Band’ ends on a high note."
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"If Act One is emotionally pent up, Act Two breaks out beyond all expectation...Nine women on stage equates to sweet harmonies aplenty...There is some work to be done. Mozelle needs a first-act number of her own, and the authors need to find a way to bring consequence to the few dark moments that shadow the women. But the first half of the second act arrives fully formed with four consecutive killer numbers...It’s a production that deserves a longer run."
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"A musical so tunefully entertaining that one could make allowances for such an outlandish plot. But we don’t have to: 'Goree' is based on a true story...The misery is played down. The music is what matters...There are faint and feint stabs here and there at character development and complications...Bradley’s book and lyrics play second fiddle to the fiddles...These musical numbers are so damn fun that, while 'Goree' may have its flaws, like the governor of Texas, I pardon them."
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"One of the most interesting shows to hit NYMF in a long time...The cast, for what they had to do in such a short time, was stellar...Bradley’s book and lyrics are powerful, though the first act could use some tightening...Because this story is so interesting we actually want to know even more about these characters...The delightful country score is soulful with strains of bluegrass...Mark my words this show will have a life beyond NYMF. Catch this if you can!"
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