Did Critics Cheer The Musical of Musicals: The Musical! Off-B'way?

The Musical of Musicals: The Musical! was a big hit at the York Theatre, so it is no surprise that it has now moved on to an open-ended run at Dodger Stages, where it opened on February 10. Written by Eric Rockwell and Joanne Bogart who also star in the show alongside Craig Fols and Lovette George, the show tells the same simple story in a series of musical-theater styles. Did critics cheer this celebration of musicals?

Here is a sampling of what they had to say:

William Stevenson in his Broadway.com Review: "The brisk two-hour show ends with a Chorus Line-like finale that provides a nice sendoff. The opening title song, on the other hand, is unmemorable. Besides inviting comparisons to Forbidden Broadway, The Musical of Musicals calls to mind the movie spoofs on The Carol Burnett Show. Like those take-offs, this sparkling show affectionately and wittily captures the spirit of the classics it's parodying. Simply put, The Musical of Musicals is a hoot."

Margo Jefferson of The New York Times: [Excerpted from her December 25, 2003 review.] "The musical is the happy narcissist of theater. It is always paying homage to itself: 'But enough about me--let's sing about me!' Parody is the best form of narcissism. So many of today's musicals strut fancy sets and special effects. All a good parody needs is smart writers and winning performers. In the case of The Musical of Musicals: The Musical!, two smart writers and four winning performers… The Musical of Musicals: The Musical! has real wit, real charm, deft performers and no pretensions."

David Rooney of Variety: "The pair's affection for and knowledge of the musical heavyweights' work clearly runs deep. The parodies often are as show-specific as they are ecumenical in skewering each composer's signature style, but the digs are subtle enough to keep the cognoscenti smiling and broad enough for occasional musical fans… Played on a bare stage enhanced by minimal props and costume variations, the frothy, musically witty show is an economical vehicle that could be easily toured and adapted to fit most small venues. Vocalizing capably in the broad range of styles required, the limber cast maintains a judicious lid on the material's natural push toward mugging, with Bogart the standout among them."