Music Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 5

Music Review: Disney's New THE LITTLE MERMAID Soundtrack Makes Less Out Of More… More Or Less
by Bobby Patrick - May 25, 2023

Truthfully, there is a lot to enjoy if you are unfamiliar with Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, and even if you are, but taking all this on balance ... this new soundtrack comes off a bit thin...

Album Review: A Concept Album For A New Show MY HEART SAYS GO Yields Good Things Musically
by Bobby Patrick - May 13, 2023

Though we do feel the creators should dig a little deeper to make their plot a little fresher for their show, it is a worthy concept....

Music Review: With Their New Single ALMOST Ann Hampton Callaway & Amanda McBroom Create Perfection
by Bobby Patrick - May 12, 2023

These two Platinum-selling singer/songwriters have created a completely stylish duet for themselves, and there is nothing ALMOST about it....

Album Review: SHUCKED The Musical Releases Its Corny Cast Album & It's A Toe Tapper
by Bobby Patrick - May 11, 2023

If you love that wonderful down-home cross-section of musicals that include things like BIG RIVER, THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM, BRIGHT STAR, or, let’s face it, OKLAHOMA, then you should definitely go get SHUCKED....

Review: Sexy Song Cycles Sound Swell In Central Park As Matthew Puckett Presents his SONGS FROM THE EVERGREEN at 54 Below
by Bobby Patrick - May 07, 2023

In the end, SONGS FROM THE EVERGREEN is an absolutely gorgeous song cycle paean to everyone’s fave bit of Manhattan greenery - Central Park...

Album Review: Some Troubadours Are Ladies & Vice Versa, As Carmen Cusack Shows Us On Her New Album LAY YOUR HANDS ON ME
by Bobby Patrick - April 30, 2023

Taking it one by one, Carmen Cusack’s LAY YOUR HANDS ON ME songs are beautiful, uplifting, and soul-stirring, sometimes all of it at once....

Album Review: Wine, Women (Producers), & Song Pour A Fine Vintage In MADAME CLICQUOT: A Revolutionary Musical
by Bobby Patrick - April 26, 2023

The creators have conveyed their story and intent fully....

Album Review: Mariee Siou Brings Her Psych-Folk Vibes To A New EP, Calling All Earthlings To Tend To Our Mother on CIRCLE OF SIGNS
by Bobby Patrick - April 28, 2023

For those looking for sounds of the new age that bring positive energy to thoughts, prayers, meditations, tea at your window in a time of acute disorder, this music is more than welcome...

Review: Amy Irving Sings & Tells Stories Of How She Was BORN IN A TRUNK At City Winery
by Bobby Patrick - April 11, 2023

All in all, though, for her first time being shot out of a musical cannon, performing her own show in the singer spotlight in the HUGE (and packed) City Winery, Ms. Amy Irving landed on her feet and brought a lot of joy to the assembled parties....

Album Review: Katie Boeck's CALICO, Haunts, Lifts & Carries Listeners On A Journey Of Love & Self Discovery
by Bobby Patrick - April 23, 2023

In all my sweets, we stand by our review of Katie Boeck’s OVER AGAIN (which you have all read… right?) and haunting is precisely the right descriptor for the entirety of CALICO....

Album Review: One Jazz Great Joins With Another As Jim Snidero & Kurt Rosenwinkel Team Up On FAR FAR AWAY
by Bobby Patrick - March 31, 2023

FAR FAR AWAY is another star in the Bobby firmament that begs to be heard with intention - to be sat with and absorbed....

Album Review: An Opera Star Gonna Star & Rene Fleming Is A Star On Her GREATEST MOMENTS AT THE MET
by Bobby Patrick - March 31, 2023

What did our critic think of RENE FLEMING GREATEST MOMENTS AT THE MET at A?...

Album Review: SOME LIKE IT HOT & Indeed We Do. Hit Songs From A Hit Show Make A Hit OBC
by Bobby Patrick - March 30, 2023

The score with just the few touches of dialogue included makes it very clear what is happening from start to finish and it delivers the show to the imagination so wonderfully....

Album Review: REGRETTING ALMOST EVERYTHING (A Concept Album) Should Probably Regret Nothing
by Bobby Patrick - March 27, 2023

And so, since we enjoyed REGRETTING ALMOST EVERYTHING, we think you will too....

Album Review: Platt & Co Bring To Life The Tragedy Of Leo Frank On The Cast Recording of Brown & Urhy's PARADE 2023
by Bobby Patrick - March 26, 2023

And so my lambkins, PARADE the 2023 Revival Cast Recording is a first-rate record of this latest piece of Broadway history and will make a fine addition to your collections...

Music Review: Marissa Licata & The Rag Tag Collection Weave a Fascinating CAT'S CRADLE
by Bobby Patrick - March 12, 2023

It is this rainbow reviewer’s sincere hope that CAT’S CRADLE is the prelude to an entire album from The Rag Tag Collection....

Review: HOME FREE: ROAD SWEET ROAD at Robinson Center
by Theresa Bertram - March 05, 2023

What did our critic think of HOME FREE: ROAD SWEET ROAD at Robinson Center?...

Album Review: Callaway & Lee An Unstoppable Pair In A Singular Voice On FEVER: A PEGGY LEE CELEBRATION!
by Bobby Patrick - February 28, 2023

Even while Ann Hampton Callaway is leaving her stamp on these songs, she makes certain to do right by the die-hards by using her glorious, rich, and resonant voice...

Music Review: Melissa Manchester Brings Her Legendary Vocals To Marsha Malamet's LESSONS TO BE LEARNED
by Bobby Patrick - February 28, 2023

Finally, LESSONS TO BE LEARNED by Melissa Manchester is a beautifully moving song reflecting that life’s rough spots are opportunities to learn from and gain wisdom, and who can argue with that?...

Album Review: OFF THE TOP Composer Jason Kravits Does the impossible With New Album JIM… AND OTHER FINE SUGGESTIONS
by Bobby Patrick - February 28, 2023

It was some fine sets of ears that produced and mixed this album, and that, plus Jason’s humorous words and music, make this a very easy-listening treat...

Music Review: Blaine Alden Krauss Wants To Know HOW COME U DON'T CALL ME ANYMORE
by Bobby Patrick - February 25, 2023

The great thing about this R&B standard is that Krauss banishes the blues with it....

Music Review: Benko's Broadway Bang Began It All & Now She's Singing START WITH A BANG
by Bobby Patrick - February 23, 2023

START WITH A BANG is the kind of tune that gets ya right in the old Broadway breadbasket. Benko sells it and those listening should buy what she’s selling....

Album Review: CRYER & FORD HIDDEN TREASURES, 1967-2020 Represents Past Glories & Present Triumphs From Musical Theatre's First Feminist Team
by Bobby Patrick - February 21, 2023

There is so much on this album that makes it well worth the time and expense to have it in our collections....

Album Review: Maltby & Shire's BABY Is 40 & This BABY Gets A New Cast Album To Celebrate
by Bobby Patrick - February 17, 2023

In all, this new BABY from Out Of The Box Theatricals is a fine 40th Birthday present for the old BABY....

Album Review: The New KIMBERLY AKIMBO Original Broadway Cast Recording Takes On Real Life In Funny & Musical Ways
by Bobby Patrick - February 16, 2023

And then there is the performance of Victoria Clark. The subtle delicacy of this lady's work has elevated every show she has been in, whether musical or straight drama, and that work comes through loud and clear here....