Unknown Soldier
83

Unknown Soldier NYC Reviews and Tickets

83%
(120 Ratings)
Positive
88%
Mixed
12%
Negative
0%
Members say
Great singing, Absorbing, Great acting, Romantic, Great staging

About the Show

Playwrights Horizons presents Daniel Goldstein and Michael Friedman’s sweeping, elegiac musical about a woman’s journey to unearth the secrets buried in her family’s past.

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Show-Score Member Reviews (120)

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401 Reviews | 65 Followers
85
Romantic, Great staging, Great acting, Absorbing

See it if you want to see a moving and at times heartbreaking work that isn't standard fare. I hope it comes back.

Don't see it if you don't want to think and are in the mood for pure "entertainment".

325 Reviews | 53 Followers
85
Fine singing, Ambitious, Absorbing

See it if A new musical with an intricate plot and nuanced emotions. Multi-Generational search for fulfillment and closure.

Don't see it if Unconventional musical. Or perhaps this is the new convention for musicals. Smaller, more personal, more recitative. Read more

546 Reviews | 64 Followers
84
Great staging, Intelligent, Refreshing, Romantic

See it if well acted and sung small musical taking place in multiple time frames. keep one engaged and caring about the characters

Don't see it if want big flash and froth. this is small show.

87 Reviews | 10 Followers
83
Absorbing, Great staging, Great singing, Confusing

See it if You like Michael Friedman's work. And excellent singing in small musicals that could have been bigger in the 90s. Extremely memorable

Don't see it if You want perfection or the next big hit Read more

77 Reviews | 18 Followers
81
Clever

See it if you want an interestingly staged and written musical

Don't see it if it was in the preview process when i saw it, and it seemed like they were working hard to get the kinks out

252 Reviews | 61 Followers
80
Great staging, Great singing, Romantic, Enchanting, Absorbing

See it if If you want a romantic & haunting story that will make you feel all kinds of feels. You like time shift productions. To see a beautiful tale

Don't see it if You expect an all out production, don't like musicals, don't like time shift productions. Don't like romatic tales.

51 Reviews | 2 Followers
80
Ambitious, Resonant, Intelligent, Great acting, Absorbing

See it if important subject matter, spanned generations in a creative, relevant way

Don't see it if bland set, awkward staging

519 Reviews | 256 Followers
78
Dizzying, Absorbing, Great acting, Great singing

See it if Late Michael Friedman's elegiac music, heartfelt emotions,talented cast& designers not always mix well w/ multilevel,convoluted 90min story.

Don't see it if don't care abt "play-within-a-play" structure. Saw this musical in preview.Hope story changes to be equal w/terrific score. Read more

Critic Reviews (10)

The New York Times
March 9th, 2020

"Lies of Love and Memory Swirl Through ‘Unknown Soldier’: This thoughtful, history-spanning portrait of elusive identities testifies to the versatility of its composer, Michael Friedman."
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New York Magazine / Vulture
March 9th, 2020

"Every Day a Little Death: 'Endlings' and 'Unknown Soldier'"
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Theatermania
March 9th, 2020

"Michael Friedman's Accomplished Score in 'Unknown Soldier' Is Trapped in Nonsense: The late composer's memory is let down by collaborators Daniel Goldstein and Trip Cullman at Playwrights Horizons."
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Lighting & Sound America
March 10th, 2020

"What first appears to be a prettily arranged tearjerker is in fact a surprisingly tough-minded meditation on love, loss, memory, and the stories -- true or not -- by which families live. It is the most original and accomplished new musical to turn up so far this season."
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Talkin' Broadway
March 9th, 2020

"Friedman's score...is an eloquent reminder of a prodigious talent cut down too early. The story, or stories, don't hang entirely together, and the emotional payoff isn't as mighty as it aims to be. But it's a strong effort with many rewarding moments."
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New York Stage Review
March 9th, 2020

3/5 Stars. "An intriguing and sometimes frustrating chamber musical by Daniel Goldstein and the late Michael Friedman."
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TheaterScene.net
March 11th, 2020

"This choppy John Irving-style saga wanly blends time-shifting with romantic drama for a dense, cloying and dull 90 minutes. Daniel Goldstein's original book is an uninvolving patchwork of hoary clichés reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks' works."
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Theater Pizzazz
March 9th, 2020

"One feels a deep gratitude that Friedman lived long enough to pen this score and an equally great sadness that we won't hear new creations from this singular talent...Based on 'Unknown Soldier,' Friedman would have become a true musical force to be reckoned with."
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