The Secret Life of Bees NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (181)
See it if you want experience a new musical with original content, outstanding performances/vocals, and an intriguing production stuffed with heart.
Don't see it if You are racist or closed to a moving story about civil rights. Avoid if you don't like music, drama, or thought-provoking shows.
See it if The lush, gorgeous music and harmonies expressed by the women. The evocative spare staging. The dialogue about racial inequality
Don't see it if You did not like the original book, you don’t like stories involving racial injustice. You don’t like non traditional musicals
See it if you’re interested in a poignant show about race, or are looking for a good cry or to have your spirit lifted. The performances are great!
Don't see it if you’re looking for escapist entertainment; you’d rather watch something light that doesn’t remind you of our country’s recent dark history.
See it if you want to experience a really great night of theater. The cast is terrific and the score is strong.
Don't see it if you hate musical theater?
See it if a fan of Susan Monk Kidd’s novel or works that contain a spiritual element; you prefer gorgeous singing accompanied by simply-done staging.
Don't see it if you're expecting a very deep interpretation of Kidd’s work, uninterested in Southern racial and spiritual tales, or need flashiness. Read more
See it if you want to be blown away by incredible singers and heartfelt performances. The talent onstage in this show is breathtaking.
Don't see it if you need a big dramatic payoff. There's tension, and there are challenges and disturbing parallels to today, but it's all pretty "almost."
See it if You want to see a talented cast perform at a high level in a new show. Music was beautiful and varied. Staging simple yet effective.
Don't see it if You prefer elaborate musicals.
See it if You want to see a new musical in an intimate setting with great talent. The music/lyrics are great.This is a chance to see this off-Broadway
Don't see it if You don't want to see a new musical. You didn't like the movie.
Critic Reviews (27)
“A coming-of-age story that...Addresses injustice in the segregated American South in the 1960s...While some dramatic moments are rushed or too neatly tied-up – the musical still enchants through delicately rendered performances and powerful song and dance...Gold’s minimalist production sets the scene with wisps of culturally specific music and dance. Hand-held wire puppets create the illusion of swirling bees. Musically it’s powerful too.”
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"Director Sam Gold finds more intense, driven women here, and he is wise to let their astonishing voices carry the production. The music is a well-thought-out mix of gospel-tinged hymns, affirmative anthems and one clever love song to a car...This is one of those shows that sticks with you. Watching it is a little like going to a religious service — it gives you faith that the world could be a better place. For this particular show, that better place just might be Broadway."
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“Unfortunately...Gold has staged this musical like a reading with a few chairs and some props...Real moments of intense emotion were bizarrely devoid of any atmosphere whatsoever...I was able to see past the visual disjointedness and be drawn into the emotional core of the material...If the lyrics occasionally seem a tad generic...that feeling gets washed away by these exceptional performances. ‘The Secret Life of Bees’ can be even better than this production.”
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