Becoming Chavela NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (7)
See it if You enjoy hearing the combined story of how the performer discovered Chavela, and the story of Chavela's life.
Don't see it if You are uninterested in Mexican culture and song. Read more
See it if The show features the life of Chavela-a Costa-Rican Mex internationally acclaimed chanteuse-retold through anedocts&15 songs performed by a*
Don't see it if Uninterested in Latin culture and/or Latin music. Read more
See it if you enjoy learning the background story to a famous singer while enjoying some of her music by a NYC talent with small band and dancer.
Don't see it if you are looking for a big splashy musical - here there are good projections to make the set and a couple costume changes.
See it if You know nothing of the title character, or of ranchero music, but would wish to. Also if you like Mexican songs, sung in original language
Don't see it if You’re looking for something lighthearted and non educational. For me, she could have cut her own story down to a minimum, as it detracted
See it if You like live musicians and gracious dancer on stage and learning a little about Chavela
Don't see it if You are expecting a polished singer with an organized story.
See it if You can definitely miss this one. Music and singing is weak.
Don't see it if Direction and setup is horrible.
See it if You want to learn about Chavela Vargas and Mexican music, especially ranchero, and are willing to see a show that still needs work.
Don't see it if You want a polished musical. It would have been greatly improved if she hadn’t tried to speak with a Spanish accent, which kept slipping. Read more
Critic Reviews (1)
Trudeau does a superb job with that task as far as she is able to take it, including three original songs, but it still needs more exposition. Chavela Vargas was a larger-than-life character who needs, and deserves, a deep dive into who she was, with all the halos and horns being brought to life. This expanded production from the Bistro Award-winning cabaret show provides more about Vargas but lacks a more nuanced exploration of her mental and emotional character. Tantalizing aspects of her life, her time with Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and the many American movie stars who frequented Mexico City are presented as illustrations of her life but leave us wanting to know more.
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