White Rose: The Musical NYC Reviews and Tickets

80%

(543 Ratings)

Positive

81%

Mixed

Negative

11%

Members say

Absorbing, Relevant, Ambitious, Great singing, Thought-provoking

About the Show

A new musical telling the inspiring story of young activists defying Hitler in Nazi Germany.

White Rose: The Musical, based on the true account of brave young folk confronting injustice, will make its debut Off-Broadway for a 12-week limited run starting on January 17, 2024.

This compelling new musical portrays the inspiring narrative of a bold assembly of university students who defied Hitler in Nazi Germany. The production focuses on Sophie and Hans Scholl and their fellow young activists, who courageously produced and disseminated leaflets to challenge Hitler's propaganda. Through its dynamic and optimistic portrayal, the musical vividly captures the unyielding spirit of youthful resistance against tyranny, creating a touching and engaging theatrical experience.

Show-Score Member Reviews (203)

30%

Ambitious, Banal, Confusing, Indulgent

See it if you like contemporary vocalists and the general pop rock feel of Spring Awakening

Don't see it if you like musicals with good scores Read more

65%

Ambitious, Cliched, Intelligent, Relevant, Thought-Provoking

See it if You are interested in the history and want to learn more.

Don't see it if You are expecting a strong narrative with compelling and memorable music.

78%

Ambitious, Compelling, Delightful, Enthralling, Thought-Provoking

See it if You like a moving story about how a small group sacrificed their lives for an important cause.

Don't see it if You don't like deep, distressing themes. Read more

90%

Absorbing, Ambitious, Profound, Resonant, Riveting

See it if you want to watch a super engaging and important story be told

Don't see it if some of the musical numbers felt forced into the plot for the sake of including a song

82%

Great Writing, Relevant, Thought-Provoking

See it if You're looking to add an additional layer to your understanding of the Nazi regime while being entertained.

Don't see it if It's got all the right elements for a show worth seeing. Can't think of a reason one shouldn't see it. 😕

70%

Ambitious, Fluffy, Great Singing

See it if You like new work that can still be refined. Interesting story about German students speaking up during the rise of nazism in their country.

Don't see it if You’re expecting a fully polished work.

50%

Ambitious, Cliched, Disappointing, Great Acting, Relevant

See it if You enjoy historical content. This had its heart in the right place for sure, however, it just didn't work.

Don't see it if If you want stronger storytelling. This had interesting subject matter, but the writing and presentation fell flat.

15%

Banal, Insipid, Yikes

See it if you seek a case study in aspiration outweighing content.

Don't see it if you're sensitive to the sight of stage actors wearing Nazi regalia or your capacity for self-stifling is low. Read more

Critic Reviews (8)

"The history-based 'White Rose: The Musical' has its heart in the right place."
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“[It] boils down a wrenching and complicated historical episode into a strenuously earnest, cliché-ridden manifesto. Seemingly conceived and executed with the best of intentions, it turns real-life figures into one-dimensional musical theatre ingenues who are forever looking to the stars, seeking truth in their hearts, and finding their voices…The story of The White Rose is deeply important, especially so today, but this version is simply a mistake.”
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While we are presented with characters who are doing a noble thing and can be touched by what they go through to accomplish their task, Brian Belding’s book and lyrics repeatedly take us out of 1942. In breaking up a fight between her brother and her old flame, Sophie blurts, “Are we seriously doing this?!”…Seriously? The tone is not “then” in 1942, it’s a university student of present day. When Willi walks in on the scene, he asks “What the f*@k is going on?!” We don’t doubt the impulse behind it, but was that really the vernacular in 1942? Natalie Brice’s score has its moments with some of the solos, but the full company songs sound like retreads of "Les Miserables" chorus numbers.
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"This is a story we need to hear. Alas it is one White Rose fails to tell."
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"...it’s more a call to arms with some contemporary parallels."
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" 'White Rose: The Musical' is a serious misfire, its tensionless book, mediocre performances (several decent voices aside), uninspired direction..., middling “movement direction”..., and generic score often teetering precariously on the borderline of amateurishness. Despite several actors whose resumes would seem to hold some promise, none have the kind of gravitas or period feeling required; the result is more like an MFA production than a professional one on 42nd Street. "
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White Rose contains moving ideas and beautiful moments, but its current form needs some structural revision to put more emotional power and connection into the show. The leaflets dropped near the end contained powerful words and I would have loved to hear more about these ideas, rather than the vagueness of being part of a subversive group. The audience lacked clarity about what treasonous things were being said and why everybody’s neck was on the line, which made it difficult to feel invested.
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White Rose is…worth seeing...its salience… and its theatrical significance are undeniable.
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Trailer

Creative team

Natalie Brice

Composer

Brian Belding

Bookwriter / Lyricist

Will Nunziata

Director