Theater Thursday - In Transit and When It's You

What: In Transit

Where: Circle in the Square Theatre
            1633 Broadway
            New York, NY
           
Who: Recommended for ages 12 and up

Me - In Transit is a very good show. It is about people who use the New York subway to get around. The show consists of a bunch of characters with interconnecting stories. It is the first A Cappella Broadway musical. My favorite character is Jane. She is an actress trying to get her big break. There is also Trent and Steven. They are a couple but Trent is afraid to tell his Mom because of her religious beliefs. There is  the Boxman. He is a beat boxer. His beat boxing is really good. There is Ali who has moved from California to New York to follow her boyfriend, who then broke up with her, but that happened before the show started. There is Nate who is  Ali's brother. He lost his job and is now broke.There is Dave who is Ali's former boyfriend. The characters were  all mostly likable, and they were interesting. They were all different and had unique personalities. I liked the songs. I don't have a favorite, but I liked all of them. The voices were nice. They set was really cool! It looked like a subway station. All in all, it was really entertaining show.

Mom - In Transit unlike many Broadway musical is a completely original show. It is all about the New York City Subway and the people who ride it. All of the characters are kind of at a crossroads in their lives where they have to figure out where to go with their lives or what to do about something. Their stories may not necessarily be unique but they are interesting. However, what makes this show special is that it is the first A Cappella Broadway musical.  If you liked the sound of the Pitch Perfect movies, you will love the sound of this show. They share the same vocal arranger, Deke Sharon. The voices in the show are really nice and they blend really nicely together especially on Deep Beneath the City/Not There Yet which is the opening number. The other songs are nice too, but not especially memorable. If you love those movies that have a whole lot of characters involved in intersecting stories, you will love this show which follows the same pattern with a lot less characters.  The show is in a nice small theater, the Circle in the Square, where there is not a bad seat in the house. The small size brings you closer to the action and makes you feel like a part of the show which works well for a small intimate musical like this.  It may not be a blockbuster extravaganza, but it is a sweet entertaining show and worth seeing. Although there is not really anything specifically objectionable, it is not really a show for young children. Older children would probably enjoy it though especially if they like A Cappella music.

For more information or to purchase tickets go to http://www.intransitbroadway.com/.

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We were given free tickets to When It's You for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: When It's You

Where: Clurman Theatre
             Theatre Row
              410 W. 42nd St.
              New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Age 15 and up

When: Now through April 8, 2017

Mom's view - When It's You is a one woman play that deals with the subject of gun violence and specifically a mass shooting.  This is makes it very timely. Although there is not any actual violence that takes place on stage, this show is still inappropriate for young audiences due to the subject matter. Ana Reeder stars as Ginnifer, a woman struggling to make her place in the world while at the same time dealing with the death of her mother and the fact that her ex-boyfriend has committed a mass shooting. However, the show does not overly focus on the shooting and therefore there are minutes of levity, and it is not a heavy depressing drama every minute from start to finish. The show gives Ms Reeder the opportunity to show a wide range of emotions throughout, and she does a nice job in the role. The minimal set and few props, keeps the focus on the character and helps the audience to identify with her. It is a good show for people who like shows that deal with topical issues in a sensitive and unexploitive manner.

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Funtivity Friday.