The Secret Life of Bees NYC Reviews and Tickets

84%

(181 Ratings)

Positive

97%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Great singing, Absorbing, Entertaining, Relevant, Great acting

About the Show

Based on the best-selling novel by Sue Monk Kidd, Atlantic's world premiere musical comes from the creative team that brought you "Sweat," "Spring Awakening," "Working," and "Fun Home."

South Carolina, 1964. Lily Owens, a restless white teenager, struggles with her merciless father and the haunting memory of her mother’s death. When Rosaleen, her black caregiver, is beaten and jailed for asserting her right to vote, Lily’s rebellious spirit is ignited. She and Rosaleen escape on an adventure where they are taken in by a trio of black beekeeping sisters. While Lily tries to unlock the secrets of her past, she and Rosaleen find solace in the mesmerizing world of bees and spirituality in this extraordinary tale of awakening, fellowship, and healing.

Show-Score Member Reviews (181)

Must see, Resonant, Relevant, Great singing, Absorbing

See it if You like musicals that are intelligent and thought provoking with an engaging plot and beautiful orchestration and overall performances

Don't see it if You are expecting a show with bells and whistles. You get soulful performances about overcoming the challenges of racial inequality

Melodramatic, Great music, Absorbing, Entertaining, Great singing

See it if Powerful harmonic driving vocals with original soul, R&B, and rock/pop tunes. Large onstage band. Melodramatic civil rights story.

Don't see it if You want the story to be more believable. I guess we can assume the Virgin Mary statue dripping with honey came to the rescue.

Gorgeous musical tone poem & the chance to hear glorious lachanze; but underlying story is far-fetched

See it if ethereal evocation of utopian cult of black women beekeepers; hypnotic music performed by troupe of super-talented singers

Don't see it if meh fairy tale: "magic negroes" come 2 aid of white girl fleeing abusive father; civil rts incidents add little; songs need more variety

Resonant, Intense, Great acting, Great singing, Absorbing

See it if You want to see a musical that is both dark and light. You want to hear and see some beautiful music played by a fantastic band.

Don't see it if You have a low tolerance for plays and musicals that tend to telegraph the punch, this one goes where you think it does. Read more

Intimate, Riveting, Great writing, Great singing, Absorbing

See it if you like the book or movie, are a fan of Lynn Nottage and Duncan Sheik, and want to enjoy an uplifting civil rights era personal story.

Don't see it if you are uncomfortable with the themes of racial and domestic violence. If you prefer "grand" musicals, this has a pared down set.

Intelligent, Great acting, Great staging, Clever, Absorbing

See it if Great adaptation of the book, Strong female characters, coming of age story.

Don't see it if If you don't like folk lore. Females leading the show, teenage angst.

Relevant, Masterful, Enchanting, Great singing, Cliched

See it if you'd like amazing singing and musicality by all, very creative and empowering for women

Don't see it if A tale of racism in the south is too upsetting or you don't like musicals

Thought-provoking, Enchanting, Resonant, Great staging, Great singing

See it if You enjoy musicals with emotional power and a range of musical styles.

Don't see it if You cannot tolerate presentations of violence.

Critic Reviews (27)

Trailer

Creative team

Atlantic Theater Company