Darling Grenadine

See it if you’d like to see a musical with some old fashioned virtues staged in the round like an intimate floorshow.

Don't see it if graphic depictions of the chaos alcoholism introduces into a romantic relationship might upset you too much.

Also I enjoyed myself throughout “Darling Grenadine.” The staging is spare—a bar, a table, a bed as needed. Most of the time it feels like a floorshow. A small combo is in sight & the trumpeter often enters stage space to provide horn-generated sound effects. The cast is uncommonly personable; the characters they play, likable despite obvious flaws. I really loved two of the songs & none were clinkers. The evening’s drawback is the book. We see how alcoholism adversely affects a victim & his loved ones. But the hard path to sobriety, though invoked, is never fully engaged. The first time the drinker kicks his habit is during intermission (we see no struggle), & the 2nd, more successful, choice for sobriety is accomplished in 3 minutes of playing time. I admired the musical’s old-fashioned virtues & admired even more the creators’ refusal to make everything OK by the end (though the ending is hopeful). I just wish the play’s serious subject had invaded the musical’s DNA a little more.... Read more Read less

See it if you like musicals that have a real story to tell, aren't all flash & hoopla.This is a gem.Less is more.Cast is uniformly excellent.

Don't see it if you want yet another revival of Showboat.This quiet musical is a love letter to NY, to honesty in relationships, to love itself.

See it if A fun evening. Engaging performers. The songs were ok. The story was easy to follow and held my interest.

Don't see it if The music was only ok. Nothing hummable. And the story was a bit cliched.

See it if You are curious about Roundabout's original musical. These are talented players and I liked the set and the use of the space. THE DOG.

Don't see it if you dont like cramped theaters with folding chairs within 5 feet of the action.

See it if you're up to see a new work with some good songs and interesting characters. Clever staging and projections. Small cast does great job.

Don't see it if you want big -- large cast, orchestra, scenery. This is an intimate piece in a very small (black box) theater and the audience was involved.

Also This could use some judicious cuts.

See it if you are willing to stay for the 2nd act, when the show picks up & becomes interesting.

Don't see it if you tend to leave after a so-so first act.

See it if you enjoy musicals about relationships, Cast is great. Kantor and Walton have lovely voices. Not life changing but I enjoyed the ride.

Don't see it if you aren't in the least bit romantic. Songs aren't terribly memorable. I wish Walton's character of Louise had more of an arc.

See it if you want to hear an absolutely gorgeous score accompanied by an intense/romantic/tragic story. The cast is superb and the venue is intimate.

Don't see it if you do not like being in such an intimate space with the actors. If alcoholism is a trigger for you, it is at the center of the plot.

See it if You enjoy terrific songs grafted into a very contrived plot. Go for the music and tolerate the plot.

Don't see it if You need high production values. The show uses a few props and set pieces but uses them extremely well to serve the story.

See it if You want to see a new musical in its early stages in an intimate setting. Great performances by yet unknown talent.

Don't see it if You want to see a fully-formed musical with a true stage and any type of choreography.

See it if U enjoy love stories and human dramas. It was very silly at first but by the 2nd act I really enjoyed it. It's a bit cliched but good.

Don't see it if U don't like musicals or love stories, prefer dramas and larger productions.

See it if you enjoy simple, sweet, meaningful intimate original musicals.

Don't see it if you tend to drift or get antsy from a lack of theatrics.

See it if You’re crazy for romantic, hurt/comfort story, and just want to see an original new show

Don't see it if You’re expecting a very well written book

See it if If you want to see new work with a sweet score

Don't see it if If don’t like intimate theatre experience

Also Great new show. The music was fun and sweet. Acting was all well done. I smiled and teared up.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re interested in excellent ensemble work with believable characters portrayed very naturally, whose stories you like to feel invested in

Don't see it if Alcoholism triggers you or you do not care for sentimental plots or can’t imagine things that you can’t see

Also The characters each drew me into their stories. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t shed a tear or 2. I was rooting for the characters, and I love that I wasn’t just sitting watching a play but felt like I was inside the stories of the leads, wishing them well in their struggles.

Tip: Get to the theater early. There aren’t really any bad seats, with only 2 rows set along the perimeter of the room. But if you’re short and arrive too close to curtain, you may get stuck sitting behind the only giant in the room, who might keep shifting his position, causing you to do the same to see around his big head. I’m not saying that’s what happened to me, but.... 🙂... Read more Read less

See it if you like intimate shows, with sweet music, complex relationships & love of NYC. Loved the depth, harmonies & cast.

Don't see it if you don't want to see people fall in love & then hit hard times.

Also I loved this little show. What a gem. The music really touched me. By the second number, I was already tearing up. I love that we got to go on the ride & see the couple begin their relationship. Because I felt their joy and their connection, I went on the journey with them through their pain. A nice little love letter to NY also.... Read more Read less

See it if You like intimate, original musicals. It is a refreshing escape from the over bloated musicals on Broadway.

Don't see it if You like juke box musicals and shows with more flash and less drama.

Also The music, staging and performances are perfectly scaled to the intimate space.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a new playwright's work and don't mind sitting in a small theater. You don't want something splashy.

Don't see it if You don't like works that aren't quite finished. You want something big and thought provoking.

See it if you like original works in an intimate setting, clever staging, strong talent and a poignant story

Don't see it if you want a full blown broadway type production

See it if you want an intimate musical with great performances

Don't see it if you're looking for a fully polished presentation - this is definitely still a bit rough, albeit enjoyable.

See it if you like charming musicals. Intimate setting makes you feel right in the middle of things. relevant story of ordinary people. surprising

Don't see it if you don't like to be too close to performers. a little sappy at times.

See it if you like musicals and enjoy a more intimate setting.

Don't see it if you're looking for a polished big stage production.

See it if you want an original show w/ minimal sets & actors alone immersing you into a new world that leaves you wondering what that says about ours.

Don't see it if you want large dance numbers, a fun family show, or something light/want to avoid a show that leaves you in deep thought.

See it if you want to see a new musical about living and falling in love in Manhattan.

Don't see it if are not a fan of cliché love stories.

Also This show does deal with themes of alcoholism.

See it if You like original, intimate musicals with gorgeous scores.

Don't see it if You like big splashy musicals with big chorus numbers