Darling Grenadine

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

See it if You like traditional movie musicals and would enjoy a modern update.

Don't see it if Romance, cute repartee, and show tunes are not your thing.

See it if You're a fan of Walton or Krebs. Great singers.

Don't see it if Mediocre saccharine music that doesn't move plot and an ending that only benefits the character's alcoholic misogynistic ego.

See it if You're interested in seeing small original musicals. The show is overly sweet (not in a good way) but I liked the more serious scenes.

Don't see it if Too much of the show is WAY too sugary sweet, to the point where it was kind of annoying. A song about Licorice? ::Eyeroll:: no thanks

Also It has some potential but should really be cut down to 90min with no intermission. The first 45minutes nothing really happens.

I usually love everything at Roundabout Underground but this was a miss for me.... Read more Read less

See it if A lovely rom-com with strong performances, clever staging and A great score. Such a ncie change of pace from the overly-serious 2019 shows.

Don't see it if "cute" isn't your thing.

See it if excellent performances. Great singing. Very enjoyable. Audience was very engaged. I really enjoyed it. Fun to see new work.

Don't see it if simple set but used very well. Play seemed long, some cuts should be made.

Also A romantic comedy that turns dark.

See it if You appreciate new musicals with some talent behind them.

Don't see it if You want a well done new musical which brings something new to the table.

See it if you want to see an almost perfect chamber musical, this is it.Clever staging and a beautifully integrated book, music & lyrics.

Don't see it if you don't like small musicals in small places.

Also My only objection is its length. It needs editing.

See it if you'll take a chance on new musicals that are modern yet have a bit of old-fashioned sappiness; want a chance to be up-close to actors.

Don't see it if expecting more cutting-edge, modern work; dislike swears in otherwise “old-fashioned” songs; alcoholism is a trigger; and/or a curmudgeon.

Also Darling Grenadine is semi-sweet and semi-dark, cleverly-displayed, and thoughtful. While sometimes clichéd and predictable, its music is infectious in a wholesomely familiar way—even if not always memorable. The actors put on a sincere performance, especially Adam Kantor (great transformation!). Staging and plot evokes a classic film. If DG were a person, I’d call her (or him) an “old soul.” There are wonderful little celebrations of New York City and perhaps that makes the musical feel more tired than it could—how many times are love-stories, theatre-stories and love-and-theatre-stories set in NYC? Maybe that’s just what happens there. Lyrics are cutesy and sometimes easily-predicted: yet, for its dreamy and enchanting moments that make you feel like you’re swept out of your own time, addiction clouds the edges. Thus, despite a sweetness, an edge of darkness creeps around like weeds in a flower patch. That's where it gets interesting: a mix of romance, love, doubt, questioning...hope.... Read more Read less

See it if enjoy new works. a traditional boy meets girl story with the central character working out his inner demons. nice music. low key show

Don't see it if want flash with big numbers. just an intelligent safe musical

See it if to see a well-acted small-scale musical with lovely songs and performances that is a nice mix of romance and more serious drama.

Don't see it if you want a full-scale musical with big production numbers and/or if you don't want to a show in which the protagonist battles alcoholism.

See it if you are looking for a gem of a musical. Great score beautifully sung by an excellent cast. First rate staging Hope it has a further life

Don't see it if you are not a fan of intimate musicals

See it if You like a new small, character driven musicals.

Don't see it if You want to see characters you haven’t seen many times before.

Also Some nice songs, and very well staged. But the story and characters feel like material I’ve seen over and over again.... Read more Read less

See it if You like formulaic boy-meets-girl, etc. musicals with average songs but a good cast who do their best. The in-the-round format is good.

Don't see it if You like cheerful upbeat musicals on a big stage

Also This is a fairly generic musical with a plot which has been re-hashed many times but the songs are new and some are quite pleasant if not the sort that you hum as you leave. The show extends beyond where the author should have ended it which spoils the effect somewhat making it rather trite.... Read more Read less

See it if curiosity about trying new musicals is important.

Don't see it if the subject of alcoholism is hard for you.

Also This has potential, although the portrayal of the dog is tiresome. The music is good until it becomes slightly repetitive. I just felt that the characters were a bit stereotyped and not developed as they could have been. The seating in the round is good . Sadly, for me, not one performance stood out.... Read more Read less

See it if Love doesn't conquer all, clever trumpet work & new musical with decent songs appeal. Honest look at alcoholism & people involved plus ...

Don't see it if Realistic look at aspects of life, love, hope, baggage people carry and original music not for you. Want more of an emotional pull.

Also Without giving anything away, the one aspect of the story that seemed to draw the audience in the most emotionally (at least the performance I saw), for me, showed the weakness in the story.... Read more Read less

See it if You love new musicals that are a bit of throwback to older musicals.

Don't see it if You love musicals that push boundaries.

Also The show has it's moments, but in the end it was a little too saccharin for me. The subject matter can use a harder edge. Felt like a musical from the early 60's.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy new, small offbway musicals in development. Great talent up close. Old fashioned love story premise. Fun use of the trumpet!

Don't see it if Theme of alcoholism, or cliched relationship between a writer/actress doesn’t appeal. You want a large scale show.

Also I really enjoyed the mellow music, classy black & white projections in the round, clever use of the trumpet, & talent of the cast in this well-priced show. I found the dialogue needing work & a bit of pace at times, and some of the relationship chemistry & quick shifts a bit unbelievable, but enjoyed the show nevertheless!!!

Theater is small, holds maybe 70 people in 2 rows in the round so it’s a charming, lightly immersive experience.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see new material presented in an intimate space.

Don't see it if You can't be practically in the action or don't like shows presented in the round.

Also I liked the staging with projections behind the audience that could be seen from the opposite side of the theatre. It's hard to give a lot of atmosphere to theatre in the round without blocking audience sightlines with a lot of set and this was an interesting approach that worked.

Because of the nature of the story, the plot runs around and around around which can get a bit boring for the audience at times. But this is the way that issue happens in real life.

I wanted to see more of Jay Armstrong Johnson and maybe some back story on his character to break up the repetition of the plot.

I loved the "dog." Very creative idea.... Read more Read less

See it if You love seeing a brand new musical. Or are already a fan of the cast.

Don't see it if You're looking for something new or refreshing.

Also The performances are good, and there's 2 great songs. But the "artist with an addiction who can't let the people around him love him" really feels cliché. I didn't realize that was the main plot going in, so perhaps that's why it bothered me.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoyed ONCE & THE LAST FIVE YEARS ... if you are looking for something cute & romantic that also wants to be taken seriously.

Don't see it if too-cute romantic dramedies induce sugar-shock

Also My first impression was that this was a refreshing take on an old-fashioned romantic musical-comedy, admittedly lightweight, but brimming with charm. The actors form a talented ensemble; their voices are quite lovely; the pit sounds terrific; and there's even an ever-present-but-unseen dog that's given voice by a quirky trumpeter. So we have the boy-meets-girl (plus dog) trope; next should come the proverbial fly in the love potion. & it comes on cue, but takes a sharper detour than i had expected ... and the journey from then on becomes too hackneyed, downbeat, & maudlin for me to go along for the ride anymore. Adam Kantor & Emily Walton were fine as the all-too-familiar lovers. perhaps that's why i enjoyed so much more the originality of supporting players Jay Armstrong Johnson & the remarkably versatile Aury Krebs. There is a lot of worthy material here, but talented Dan Zaitchik should try to pick a lane & stay in it, and maybe keep this play to a brisk 90 minutes, tops.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to experience one of the best theater experiences of your life.

Don't see it if you like a big theater, flashy dance numbers or huge sets.