Patrick Chavis – LA Theatre Bites.
World Premiere: The Lonely Few @ Geffen Playhouse – 8 out of 10 – Good Show! LA Theatre Bites Recommended! More…
Jonas Schwartz-Owen – Theatermania
The Lonely Few, a world premiere rock musical at the Geffen Playhouse, does away with conventional narrative. It immerses its audience in rock clubs and then slides open the doors to the band preforming, giving a glimpse into the frayed lives behind the instruments. Gathering an exquisite cast of Broadway up-and-comers, the stripped-down production — and the lives it portrays — feels achingly real. Read more…
Katie Buenneke – Theatre Digest
I had high hopes for this world premiere musical, which is nearly sold out, but I was significantly let down. It’s about two musicians (Lila, played by Lauren Patten, in her first role since winning a Tony for Jagged Little Pill, and Amy, played by Ciara Renée) who fall in love, but little about the show works. Rachel Bonds’ book doesn’t build a relationship between the two central characters in a way that invites emotional investment, and the plot points feel abrupt, unmotivated, and pat. Zoe Sarnak’s music is fine, but not particularly memorable, and the show overall feels more like a play with music than a musical (all but three of the show’s 19 songs are diegetic, with the first non-diegetic song arriving at the end of the first act). Read more…