Hercules (Public Works)
Hercules (Public Works)
83

Hercules (Public Works) NYC Reviews and Tickets

83%
(69 Reviews)
Positive
93%
Mixed
6%
Negative
1%
Members say
Entertaining, Delightful, Ambitious, Funny, Great staging

About the Show

Disney's animated musical comes to life in this new participatory staging by Public Works. The free, outdoor production features a cast of professional actors and community groups from across the city.

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Member Reviews (69)

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1015 Reviews | 420 Followers
88
Funny, Great staging, Clever, Entertaining, Delightful

See it if You want a show that has some substance yet will put a smile on your face at the same time. Lots of flash and fun, big dance numbers.

Don't see it if You’re looking for quiet and subtle. At times they fill the entire stage and the aisles too!! It’s loud, brash and in your face fun. Read more

982 Reviews | 343 Followers
84
Great staging, Uneven performances, Engrossing, Brash, Joyous

See it if you want an entertaining, unsophisticated evening. Actors have as much fun as audience. Many good songs, well-staged. Pure, silly delight.

Don't see it if you want all actors to be professnl (is community effort). Many lyrics get lost (enunciate!) Kids' story, but clever book/nice message.

635 Reviews | 237 Followers
77
Fluffy, Disappointing, Entertaining, Great staging, Cliched

See it if You’re seeking a family show that is very community driven, utilizing both professional actors and members of the NYC community.

Don't see it if You’re hoping for a big Disney show. There are a lot of people on stage, but this is still very much an unfinished work.

567 Reviews | 147 Followers
80
Great staging, Delightful, Ambitious

See it if Funded stage adaptation of the Disney animated film. The tough guy's gotta sing.Five additional songs.Everyone's included. Accept its terms.

Don't see it if Rushed to rehearsal. For everyone to have a role, everyone must step onto the stage and often, all at the same time. Read more

535 Reviews | 488 Followers
75
Moving, Uneven, Exciting, Fun, Silly

See it if you're excited to see a celebration of the way art can unite and empower communities.

Don't see it if you're expecting a super-polished, high-production-value Disney Production.

468 Reviews | 121 Followers
82
Park extravaganza with disney flourish

See it if Delightful, but not the best of the Labor Day Public Works. Loved the costumes and puppets, but the choreography was unfocused. Great band

Don't see it if Jelani Alladin is so charming and talented. He also hugged everyone at the stage door. Roger Bart was terrific. Jeff Hiller is a riot.

Nic
470 Reviews | 91 Followers
95
Epic, Great acting, Great staging, Clever, Ambitious

See it if you enjoyed the Hercules movie, you didn’t enjoy the Hercules movie, you’re a human on Earth, you have a pulse, ANY reason. A must-see!

Don't see it if you want to miss Jelani Alladin’s charming, hilarious star turn as Hercules or James Monroe Inglehart’s equally stellar support. Read more

474 Reviews | 68 Followers
90
Disney, 90s nostalgia

See it if Super 90s nostalgia + great singing and staging = a night of joy. Some updates on casting and focus on values relevant to today.

Don't see it if Very Disney story, music, corny jokes fall flat for you. Dislike changes from cartoon. Read more

Critic Reviews (17)

The New York Times
September 2nd, 2019

CRITIC'S PICK "Review: Public Works Finds the Heroism in ‘Hercules’ With shrewd casting and amateur performers joining professionals onstage, a middling 1997 animated Disney musical becomes a pageant of civic engagement."
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New York Magazine / Vulture
September 3rd, 2019

"The Strengths and Weaknesses of a Free Public 'Hercules'"
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The Hollywood Reporter
September 2nd, 2019

"Community theater of the most spectacular kind."
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Entertainment Weekly
September 2nd, 2019

B+ "Hercules musical is a stage adaptation filled with heroics and heart"
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Variety
September 3rd, 2019

"Hit or myth? This legendary hunk finds a musical home — this time with a sense of community."
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Deadline
September 3rd, 2019

"‘Hercules’ Off Broadway Review: Stage Adapted Disney Film Comes To Life In Central Park"
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The Washington Post
September 4th, 2019

"‘Hercules’ proves strong enough to lift all of Central Park, but only for a few days."
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New York Post
September 2nd, 2019

3/4 Stars "Central Park ‘Hercules’ is a heartfelt wake-up call for Disney"
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