The Giant Hoax

See it if A cute and charming little production. Catchy songs and an interesting story make a nice time at the theater.

Don't see it if You want perfectly polished productions. Can’t see good bones in a show.

See it if Show the whole family can go see that is not just for kids.

Don't see it if looking for adult theme show. This is not for little kids.

Also The Giant Hoax did happen it start with George Hull making the giant then putting it on his relative William Newell farm land. P.T. Barnum did want to buy the Giant (he make his own giant). Great touch of history, with a story of a little girl.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re looking for kids musicals.

Don't see it if You want a real musical.

See it if The young girl will have a career after this. Really talented kid. The show was best for kids.

Don't see it if This was not fast paced and I just could not get into this show.

See it if You like a new musical with heart and soul with a good old fashioned circus style story. Innovative and kind. Lovely songs big puppet.

Don't see it if You don’t like the above. Or circuses or wizard of Oz wonder.

See it if you enjoy great singing and clever lyrics

Don't see it if you would rather see more adult entertainment

Also Perhaps more for children, this musical is very clever and entertaining and much fun.
Forget you are an adult and let this fantasy of a real incident catch fire with your imagination. It is almost worth it to see the Cardiff Giant puppet - all 10'4" of him.
King Kong, move over.... Read more Read less

See it if want to see a wonderful world of fantasy, charlatans, what is imagination, and what is real. Even a beautiful puppet Is thrown in.

Don't see it if You are not a curious person and can’t question the events in our own “Alice in Wonderland” political world.

Also The young actress who played Emily, the star of the show, was fantastic.
I also liked the musical numbers.... Read more Read less

See it if you like musical comedies

Don't see it if you were not entertained

See it if you are looking for light family friendly fare. Good performance by the actress in the little girl lead; nice voice though hard to hear.

Don't see it if you are expecting a full blown production. Opening set looked great but the Cardiff Giant puppet needed a bit more work. Cute story.

See it if you want to see clever staging of a children's fable.

Don't see it if you expect to hear engaging music and clever lyrics.

Also The show presents a very charming story. AND offers creative set design, costumes and props. BUT as a musical - it falls disappointingly short. The lyrics, when they can be heard and understood, are ordinary. The music, all-to-loud, is boring. The acting is also hit-or-miss.... Read more Read less

See it if you like off-Broadway musicals. The performers are wonderfully talented, and the story is comic and whimsical.

Don't see it if you prefer something a bit more commercial. This show feels a bit underground and DIY. The music is provided by a background track.

See it if you enjoy taking kids to a show.

Don't see it if you dislike kids.

Also I and 3 grandchildren loved it, especially after the usher invited us to move up from the very back. The main star was excellent, moved well, sang well, looked the part. Our only criticism is that the non stars sang too low, and did not project their voices. Body mics would solve the proble... Read more Read less

See it if You like small new musicals, family-friendly shows, and catchy music. It's interesting for children and adults. Staci Stout is REALLY good.

Don't see it if You want a polished show, a big show, strong and clear sound, a live band.

Also This is a work in progress, but it's very promising. Staci Stout really makes the show. Forest VanDyke is also very good, and fortunately those two have most of the stage time. The sound is not very good at times and Staci's lyrics get lost in the prerecorded music. Get her a mic!

The songs are catchy and advance the story. The biggest problem is that the P.T. Barnum character isn't bad enough to make him a worthy antagonist and the bright delivery of the character by the actor doesn't match the words that are said about him. The show almost slows to a stop when P.T. Barnum is on stage.

If you don't mind seeing a small show with a few kinks that will surely improve with some more work, you will enjoy The Giant Hoax.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a clever and sweet family musical

Don't see it if you're looking for something political or depressing (this is neither), or if you don't like musicals

See it if you like child-like fantasies a la The Wizard of Oz where good things happen to those who believe.

Don't see it if You are bored with amateur, predictable stories. Knowing this, it’s the journey that counts and you’re happy to go along for the ride.

Also The acting and singing are energetic with nothing held back. The giant puppet is lovable and cleverly manipulated. The show is fun but not very deep unless you are the type that finds meaning everywhere, including equating the giant hoax to rampant hoaxes in our world today.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see an off-Broadway show with kids/family and/or see the story of the Cardiff Giant from the 1800s.

Don't see it if you do not like kids, there are a couple of scenes with kids whining

Also All of the actors did a great job - in particular, the lead actress (Staci Stout) was very impressive.... Read more Read less

See it if Teaching you to see different about the kids believing .

Don't see it if If you like to lie.Will puxe your buttons

See it if A quality production. Terrific set and costumes. Great puppetry

Don't see it if x

See it if you like cute stories that play on what we know and combine it with something new.

Don't see it if you want large scale props and sets or get annoyed with sometimes obvious lines and cliches.

See it if You like family oriented musicals that are whimsical/imaginative.

Don't see it if If you don't like musicals or if you only like show stopping/memorable songs.

Also It dragged on a bit and there were many moments I found myself bored. There were definitely cute/funny moments. I saw the lead actor in Dog Man and he was part of the appeal in going to this show. He was great! Wonderful actor. The female lead was also really great and a surprisingly beautiful singing voice. They carried the show. The "giant" was creative and fun but slightly lost it's appeal as the show went on. Additionally, the 2 young children were surprisingly great (I typically don't find child actors enjoyable to watch), but they were great and even made me laugh!... Read more Read less

See it if you like to see a world and time where if you still had a will to work you will find a job.

Don't see it if you are looking for an action pack drama with stunts.

See it if You want to be taken away by human emotion and kindness and childlike wonder of what the world can be. Music, staging, set, choreography A+

Don't see it if You are cynical and cranky and wish to be righteous.

See it if you love seeing New York actors create good theatre. If you enjoy having a good time. If you love intimate theatre. Amazing puppetry too!

Don't see it if you don't have imagination. If you don't like family shows. If you expect something topical or groundbreaking. If you're hard of hearing.

See it if Ostensibly, this is a children's show. However, any good children's show must keep the adults in the audience engaged. This show does that.

Don't see it if It deserves to be seen. Period.

See it if You enjoy fun music with great writing, staging and dancing. With sets and lighting that really bring you into the world of the show.

Don't see it if You don’t like shows that use elements such as shadow play and puppetry to enhance the story.

Also I enjoyed this show much more than I expected to. It’s an AEA showcase, but what they do on that stage feels more like a full scale production than a showcase. There are parts that are a little ambitious and you can tell the budget didn’t allow for things such as microphones and a live band, but the work they do regardless is fantastic. I would see it again.... Read more Read less