The Hello Girls

See it if If you want to see great singing and a good story to go with it. A ww1 musical that is well written.

Don't see it if If you want a bigger stage musical. If a war story does not interest you

See it if Impressive display of talent. Performers move, sing, & play instruments. Loved the battle scene where instruments substituted for guns.

Don't see it if Given the war setting, the tone was too light-hearted. One bubbly song after another. As a result, I didn’t engage emotionally.

See it if Strong cast of women wartime switchboarders band and bond. Original Peter Mills jazzy chambre musical. Lots to like on that small stage,

Don't see it if Character development could've been stronger with padded time of 2.5 hrs.This confection would've been perfect as an only elonged single act

See it if you want to see an original musical. Endearing characters, great music and lyrics, great staging, and a perfect ensemble of actors.

Don't see it if Just see it...it is simply wonderful! This is a story that I knew nothing about, and it was told in a very entertaining and moving fashion.

See it if Like reality-based stories, music that hits sweet spot, multi-talented cast who act, sing AND play instruments, enjoy little known history.

Don't see it if You don't like musicals or wartime stories, can't appreciate early feminist activism, want more of a set, don't like actors as orchestra.

See it if enjoy new musicals reminiscent of older ones. Megamusical in the making. More is more! More songs, lovable chars, uncynical belief in honor.

Don't see it if all your favorite musicals are post-Rent; you prefer rock/contemporary pop.

Also This is impressive! A full length show brimming w/ a fulfilling story, complex leadership dynamics, everyone playing like 6 different instruments in various arrangements (plus dueling pianists!). It’s so ambitious it almost overtaxes itself but never gets muddy or self indulgent. Great to see this piece of underreported history given the all-out treatment it deserves.

Compared to most musicals, this score doesn’t seem as carefully engineered to seesaw your emotions through highs & lows. It's like each song is as high-energy as the previous one. It does make the show moment-to-moment entertaining. The book is fantastic. The ending is a little depressing, but valuable to know how it all really panned out.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a musical that's tight and memorable. This one's going places.

Don't see it if you dislike historical themes and you don't like actors who also play instruments - they're amazing.

See it if Interested in seeing a show based on a little known true WW1 story. Multitalented cast of actors/singers/musicians. Great orchestrations.

Don't see it if not interested in war stories, musicals. 2nd act too long. Might be improved with some trimming.

Also It was a wonderful story about unsung, heroic women in WW1 & how they persevered against all odds, yet never received the same acknowledgement & rewards as the male soldiers until many years later. Truly inspiring!... Read more Read less

See it if musical based on a WWI event when the US Army was forced to call upon women for competence in the communications system on the front lines

Don't see it if don't want the actors also playing instruments (although they all do it excellently); want rock music rather than jazz-blues-ragtime;

Also the actors really maneuver expertly on the different parts of the small stage while smoothly going from acting to playing instruments and back.
Moving of the pianos a little distracting occasionally especially in front row but the piano benches are so cleverly used for different props that it is a minor distraction.
Act II not quite as strong but overall very entertaining.... Read more Read less

See it if Women telephone operators in WW1- who knew? Interesting topic presented by winning cast who act, sing & dance while playing instruments.

Don't see it if You’ll like it so watch for its next staging. A little long, 2nd act music not on par with 1st, but that’s just nitpicking.

See it if Well produced musical about the women who enlisted during WW 1. Great story and excellent cast in this historical show.

Don't see it if If you are not interested in historical musicals.

See it if If you care about history, WW I, or how significant a group of women could be in difficult circumstances, this is for you. Bring your girls!

Don't see it if You may be tired of so many shows about women and their travails -- this is not that! This is a rarity, for sure.

Also If this were running longer, I'd take every girl in my life to see it for a lesson in history and especially about REAL women's empowerment. Over 200 young women volunteered their services in switchboard skill to help the war effort -- I was so inspired! Would I have done it? Would women today feel the need to fulfill a patriotic duty? I admired every one of them. If you can catch this, do. It delivers what other shows promise big time.

Happy Holidays!... Read more Read less

See it if A delightful retelling of little know role of women in WW2. Great singing and acting, great music, great costumes. Compelling and fun!

Don't see it if multiple storylines and clever casting--fun music are not your thing. Maybe don't like shows about women's history​?

See it if you like actor-musician concepts and true stories of women in the army.

Don't see it if you're expecting a clearly staged production or don't like musicals

See it if to learn about part of our history that most of us didn't know about. Multi-talented cast--actors sing and play instruments. Nice music.

Don't see it if you aren't interested in historically based plays. A bit repetitive, would be better if about 20 minutes shorter but still well worth seeing

See it if You enjoy actor-musician shows such as the Spring Awakening revival, Once, Folk Wandering, etc. Want to lean about a story worth knowing.

Don't see it if You dislike actor-musician shows. Don't care for historical dramas. Dislike shows that have just a hint of anachronism.

Also "Will you answer the call?" -The Hello Girls

The lyric above is from the opening number of The Hello Girls, possibly one of my favorite openers of all time. It pulls you in and doesn't let you go. It's a rousing anthem.

The problem is that The Hello Girls, at two hours and thirty minutes, is filled to the brim with these rousing act-break-like numbers. With some judicious trimming, this show could be something truly fantastic.

It's already halfway there. Act I is wonderful. But unfortunately the show is mired down in tedium by act II.

The orchestrations, by Mills and music director Ben Moss, are nothing short of stunning. And they're beautifully performed with apparent ease by the unbelievably multi-talented cast.

The vocal arrangements are also note-worthy. Especially the tritone to the fifth resolution at the act break. Wow.

The only other issue is tonal. Sometimes the punny humor took me out of the show.

Go check it out. This is one call that is worth answering.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a show that feels like it was written 50 years ago. This is earnest and old fashioned, but not in a good way.

Don't see it if You like nuance and complexity in a musical and its characters.

See it if you like talented casts, clever staging, an interesting story, and effective songs. This show is a delight. It really works. Really good.

Don't see it if you need elaborate sets and effects. Or if you are not interested in staging of historical events such as this. But it is well done so come!

See it if The entire cast is excellent, not only do they sing well but they also play the instruments The choreography is outstanding

Don't see it if you are looking for a full blown musical or are a misogynist

See it if It seems the Times and I saw very different plays. I found the first part a bit silly, while the rest pulled me in completely

Don't see it if you need perfection; the tone in the first act needs work, as we take the women seriously one minute and not the next. Still, enchanting.

See it if you like shows that shed light on historical events that may not be that familiar

Don't see it if you don't like shows that are set in the past.

See it if You want to see an original musical about real life events. You are interested in a show about women who made a difference.

Don't see it if You want a show with elaborate sets. You don't like musicals. You don't like shows centered around wars

Also This show was amazing. The whole cast was fantastic. They acted, sang, and played multiple instruments. So much talent on one stage. And I learned about a group of women that I didn't know about. Women who contributed in WW1, helped fight for our country without the use of guns. And who, unfortunately didn't get the recognition they deserved until the 1970s. If you're a fan of theatre you should see this show... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy period pieces, and want to be wowed by the cast. They ALL sing and play.

Don't see it if you're bored by period pieces and don't like shows with minimal sets and costumes.

See it if you enjoy history, new musicals. Well conceived and entertaining, but overstays its welcome. The talented cast also plays the instruments.

Don't see it if you are not a fan of long musicals. This could definitely be tightened and be a stronger show as a result.

See it if you are interested in history told from overlooked perspectives.

Don't see it if you are looking for something super astounding or flashy.