Ms. Estrada NYC Reviews and Tickets

"This lively production sets its comic sights on too many targets...Positions itself as a knowing response to the current moment with a decidedly millennial spin...Its comic ideas are haphazardly flung about...Fails to focus its satire...The spirited choreography, rhymed dialogue and zippy songs, when paired with a stream of sexual euphemisms and tasteless jokes, sometimes create an unsavory contrast."
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"Often provocative yet always irreverent, 'Ms. Estrada' lends a whole new beat to this story of sexual deprivation as a form of protest...The lyrics are clever and surprisingly dense...The Brothers' most astute satire is saved for our funny relationship with language itself...Director Michelle Tattenbaum matches the Brothers' cheekiness with her animated, high-energy staging...In Aristophanes, the Q Brothers have found a forefather in their zest for language and quest to mock convention."
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"'Ms. Estrada' works hard to keep a party atmosphere going, but the rap verse script -- loaded with false rhymes -- is relentless, and the level of wit could occasionally rise above the crotch. Nevertheless, there are some solid laughs, and the Bats, the Flea's resident company, are always a pleasure to watch...Cheerful, scattershot, and seemingly engineered to make use of as many of the Bats as possible...It's an acceptable schedule filler, I suppose."
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As performed by The Bats, 'Ms. Estrada' is a high-spirited, merry and lively tale of the college crowd with all the latest slang to date in gender studies, sports and contemporary life. Both engrossing and exhausting, Michelle Tattenbaum's production for The Flea Theater couldn't be better. The question is whether audience members are liberated enough to go with the flow. A fun evening but not for all."
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"Within the 100% rhyming text are some powerful songs...Everything from the women's yearning for justice to the men's partying is precise and keeps the show's action moving...Tattenbaum's direction pushes this large ensemble to stand up for what's right and to never surrender...The relentless and uncompromising hip-hop text and choreography of 'ms. estrada' will no doubt keep audiences engaged. Certainly, it's a show that should appeal to any open-minded theatergoer."
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"The most feminist musical, written by 4 guys, to hit off-off broadway...'Ms.Estrada' shines a light on feminism, and why so many men cannot seem to back the movement...Pennycook is a beacon of energy...Mahoney, Shin, Brown, McCaffery, St. Cyr serve roll on the floor laughs and deep, femme insight as Liz's friends, back-up revolutionaries, and fellow women showing how race, class, and individualism hinder and elevate a movement."
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"I can't find anything wrong with this sexual parody...The non-stop energy in this clever one act play has so many prescient pertinent topics parodied all in a most entertaining way...This compact musical condenses such clever topical lyrics, staging, and choreography some is bound to go over your head...Every musical number is a winner. I loved the yoga class with big blue balls especially. The ensemble cast featuring the Bats were riotously outrageous."
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"A rap musical adaptation of 'Lysistrata' penned by four men...The concept is strong...'Lysistrata' is rife with material to mine. With sharp performances against a stunning design, the show has promise. Unfortunately, the problematic execution of the script itself detracts from the talent onstage...It meanders and doesn't seem to know what it ultimately wants to do...Bringing more women into the writing and development process would give this script much-needed nuance and depth."
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"An original musical with a positive message delivered by 'woke' females...The Bats energetically embrace 'Ms. Estrada' and its gender politics - politically correct or otherwise. They and the show are ensemble-based, but Malena Pennycook's Liz is a strong presence with an equally strong singing voice. Jenna Krasowski and Ben Schrager also stand out as the adults who don't have all the answers."
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"A production that challenges and entertains...The songs in 'Ms Estrada' are clever and catchy. With a flair for rap, the show slowly moves towards more traditionally female musical genres as the story progresses...The storytelling and incorporation of 'Ms. Estrada' exudes a quirkiness...This masterful adaptation of the Greek Classic 'Lysistrata' brings modern life to an ancient play. The in-house ensemble of The Flea Theater, The Bats, shine in this complex and captivating show."
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