The Time Machine (NYMF)

See it if You like operatic voices and time travel stories.The costumes and choreography are better in Act 2.

Don't see it if You expect perfection and continuity.

See it if You want to see a fun sci-fi musical with time travel. The music is really good, but gets a touch repetitive towards the end.

Don't see it if You haven't the patience for cliches, and want fully realized shows as opposed to NYMF productions.

See it if you want to see an entertaining musical of a classic book and movie performed with great songs and dancing that is faithful to both.

Don't see it if you don't like musicals based on classic books and movies that seem impossible to make into a musical.

See it if you're a fan of anyone of the very talented cast members, appreciate occasional clever effects, like period costumes, and have comp tickets

Don't see it if just don't. The music is slow, repetitive, and dark...the story is lame...and the talents involved are pretty much wasted.

See it if You really love this material and you want to support any production of it; you are okay with a couple of good voices.

Don't see it if You expect a certain caliber of singing and dancing no matter what stage of development.

Also There's a nugget of something here, with two standout voices. Unfortunately, the lead wasn't one of them. The rest is a bit embarrassing.... Read more Read less

See it if You liked the movie or the book, or if you like really good singing. Very enjoyable.

Don't see it if You only prefer polished Broadway plays rather than smaller off Broadway plays.

See it if You enjoy the story and want to see a work that teenagers will enjoy. It deserves a production with more glitz, i.e., lighting and costumes

Don't see it if You're not satisfied with a simple telling of an old tale--it's made surprisingly relevant, however.

See it if You can't live without a literal stage version of the book. Some of the music showed promise but there is no character development or depth.

Don't see it if you want to be entertained.

See it if It wasn't awesome but it was interesting and engaging

Don't see it if Some of the music was a bit repetitive but there were nice numbers

See it if You are extremely into the Time Machine, you know someone in the cast/crew, you love sentimental numbers

Don't see it if You are looking for something fresh, you dislike cliche, you are looking for logically consistent book, you value character development

Also The performer who played the villain was amazing, and his character was perhaps the only one that truly developed in the piece. The problem here is that the Time Machine could be an awesome topic for a musical, but you have to infuse it with something to give it edge. This was the Jekyll and Hyde of Time Machines - and I do not mean that in a great way. It took itself far too seriously, surrendered camp and kitsch for drama bordering on melodrama, and served song after song that failed to really develop characters or make the audience feel connected to the story. Songs just appeared - "here we need a love song," "here we need an internal struggle song" etc. A noble try, but something more tongue in cheek would probably be more effective. Time Machine plot lines are always wonky and strange - best to embrace the wonkiness and run with it.... Read more Read less

See it if You love Lush melodic scores inventive staging

Don't see it if You want the same tired old formula

See it if you would like creative staging and instrumentation.

Don't see it if you expect a retelling of the novella, or at least something less predicable.

Also The exposition is heavy at times, making the pacing of this show is sluggish. Some points in the story were over-stated, while more complicated aspects of the characters and plot were not flushed out. I didn't feel for any of the characters in the story.
The show's strength is in the instrumentation. However, the songs were predicable and they all started to sound the same. Going for high notes at the end of songs, without having worked up to them, make the singers seem glory-seeking.
This show would do well if it capitalized on the campy side of things rather than trying to be a serious musical.... Read more Read less

See it if Too draggy

Don't see it if Na

See it if The show was excellent. The story was interesting, the music beautiful, and memorable. Find myself humming the songs.

Don't see it if You don't enjoy good Broadway music.

Also Having not read the book, the story was all new to me. The story was compelling as told in beautiful melodies and brillant lyrics. You could tell Mr. Mauk is a great musician and very well read. I would love to see the show with a full orchestra, more staging, and adding more dancing and an actual Time Machine on the stage. Looking forward to seeing it presented on Broadway.... Read more Read less

See it if You believe the quest for the individual is needed more now then ever before in America.

Don't see it if Believe that genius and individualism should be punished.

See it if People who enjoy creative re-writes of classic stories. Sci-fi lovers.

Don't see it if You expect a highly polished, professional musical.

Also This show was engrossing, it flowed well, the music and singing were very good. I almost wish there had been a little more emphasis on the underlying theme of the original book, though. (That of machines/technology dumbing down humanity and leading to disaster) but the villain was believably evil. So I guess I feel that the story could use a little tweaking. The use of the boxes as props, and of actors as the time machine is clever and effective. Not sure about the pipes... they seemed kind of incongruous and took up too much space on the stage, I thought. It was distracting to me. My overall impression is that for a musical done with limited resources and rehearsal time, it was a success.... Read more Read less

See it if -you want a well written script -strong harmony in vocals -solid lead/supporting roles -excellent use of stage. -a surprise ending.

Don't see it if You are looking for a traditional, predictable musical

See it if You're a sci-fi or H.G. Wells fan who also appreciates a good musical.

Don't see it if You're expecting perfection. The NYMF shows are works in progress and ever-evolving.

Also It's an imaginative retelling of the Wells classic with a couple of twists. The score is beautiful, reminiscent of classical old musicals, a nice change from many that we see today. The musicians and performers really showcased the score.... Read more Read less

See it if You like the book or movie based on the book. You like the sci-fi genre.

Don't see it if You're looking for a well fleshed out story.

Also It has potential, but it needs a lot more work. Only one of the characters felt sufficiently developed - the villain. The others felt like they were just being dropped in scenarios. Some of the songs were lovely, but the main problem I had was that most of the songs didn't add depth or move the story along. It was as if someone said, "It's time for a song now. Let's throw one in." This time could have been better spent developing the characters and the story. The way they represented the time machine was extremely distracting to me. I have no problem with people representing objects if it's done correctly. (The Woodsman was masterful at it.) But it did not work for me in this piece.... Read more Read less