Simon Saltzman

“Most likely van Hove's vision is going to thrill new viewers as much as it may also alienate old fans.”

“Notwithstanding the value of this play's dramatized vision of life for black enlistees before President Truman signed an executive order in 1948 ending segregation in the armed services, it is the play's character-driven plot that keeps us in its thrall from start to finish.”

“In almost every instance, they do not reflect the brilliance of their source.”

“On close inspection, McPherson’s play delivers a defiantly positive prognoses.”

“Despite Loguasto’s pretty settings, this is not a revival that respects its source.”

“With its lush and melodic score, ‘Miss Saigon’ remains an ambitious and stunningly effective musical even as it also borders on the overwhelming.”

“Kinney has invested this soul-searching play with the patience that it probably deserves even when our patience with its issues wears a bit thin.”

“Be prepared to be thrilled once again by a grand and emotionally moving Fiddler on the Roof, surely one of the great and essential musicals of our time.”

“Therefore my negative response to this production is based largely on seeing an ensemble of expert farceurs led astray by a director who apparently didn’t believe that less is more.”

“Kinky Boots has similarly been resuscitated and revitalized into a terrifically entertaining musical with plenty of heart as well as with a plethora of heels by its collaborators.”

“Far from light-hearted but deeply felt and spiritedly envisioned, Amazing Grace impressively joins the much heralded Hamilton (still previewing prior to its official opening on Broadway) as another stirring historical period musical adventure.”

“Some transfers from film or book to stage work and some don't.”

“Except for the final scenes, this is a mostly mild-mannered staging of a play that begs for more emotional credibility from the two the leads who lack the spark to make us care.”

“He has added just enough more exuberant dancing and production values to make it now the most irresistible musical in town.”

“My major qualm with this production, under the attentive direction of Arin Arbus, is that the play set in front of us is arguably less about Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune than it is about Audra and Michael in the spotlight.”

“When O'Neill once said about the play that it was written more to be read than staged, he might have added ‘and more to be mourned than mounted.’”

“All appear to have their work cut out competing with this production's overwhelming aural and visual effects.”

“It is an impressive sight to serve for the beginning of This Island , and it creates a bit of timely realism for the 1990 musical by the composing team of Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (book and lyrics) that is all about survival, magic and believing.”

“The two-hour no intermission play, although unequivocally satirical in its presentation and performance, could be rough going for many even as it presents a challenge for the easily receptive.”

“All in all, Sylvia is a delightfully benign canine-comedy.”

“It is wonderful enough where it really counts to overcome its mostly insignificant shortcomings.”