95% Fresh

“The superb documentary Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened covers a rich swath of emotional and creative ground as it tracks the unexpected failure of theater gods Stephen Sondheim and Hal Prince’s hugely anticipated 1981 Broadway collaboration Merrily We Roll Along.”

“Touching, sweet, and altogether exuberant! There have been other backstage documentaries over the years, but Best Worst might be the best.”

“A love letter to the theater—and a deeply poignant one at that— Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened is a bittersweet gem… A triumph!”

“You don’t have to be a fan of Broadway musicals to love every minute of Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened… This movie is more than good, pal. It’s indispensable.”

“Simultaneously warm and clear-eyed, Best Worst Thing is an unblinking look at how the sausage of theater gets made, as well as an emotional memoir. Funnily enough, there may be more poignancy in this heart-piercing anatomy of a flop than the original musical was able to muster.”

“Because Merrily was a musical about the ravages of time on friendship and youthful ideals, the documentary tells parallel stories — one fictional, the other real — of disappointment and disillusion. They give the film a double shot of poignancy.”

“Electric! The film will be devoured by musical theater aficionados!”

“The film often has the bittersweet sentimentality of a high-school reunion, and you can tell how much the experience elevated but also scarred the actors… The documentary’s finale is as heartrending as the show’s.”

“The wistfulness on display is touching and funny, often both at the same time.”

“As moving and poignant as Merrily itself.”

“A beautiful Broadway memoir.”

“Witty and bittersweet.”

“By showing us what’s become of the dewy-eyed kids of 1981, he evokes many of the emotions—from ecstasy to disappointment—of Sondheim’s musical… Failure usually does not end up this good.”

“I am a fairly easy crier at movies, but mostly that manifests itself in what I like to think are discreet manly sniffles. However, one movie this year reduced me to a puddle of salt, water, and snot—a documentary called Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened.”

“Masterful and moving… Not only one of the best theater documentaries ever made, but also one of the most outstanding explorations of the psychological anguish that comes with the loss of childhood dreams and innocence.”

“Audacious and offbeat. Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened is a nimble documentary made with a personal touch of nostalgia, and it should prove nothing less than catnip to Sondheim obsessives.”

“Youthful dreams crash up against harsh reality in this fascinating look at the disastrous Broadway premiere of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s 1981 musical, Merrily We Roll Along… For Sondheim fans, and there are millions of us, this is essential viewing.”

“Best Worst Thing is more than a story about a Broadway show; its most poignant moments examine the thrill of dreams coming true and the inevitable come down afterwards. Grade: A.”

“Kiki Baby is a gem… Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the musical is that it actually has a point. It is an indictment against reality shows such as ‘Toddlers & Tiaras,’ displaying how easily children’s caretakers can use kids to their own advantage, especially when the kids’ only weapon for protection is bratty behavior…. The audience is laughing, because it’s funny and Jen Colella is a comedic mastermind, but the undercurrent is terrifying.”

"Lonny Price, Kitt Lavoie and Grant Sturiale have created a strange and perversely pleasurable entertainment... Mr. Price and his cheeky team consistently mine the script's vein of cynical razzle-dazzle, with a sprightly score that brings to mind the faux simplicity of Avenue Q."

"Therein lies the powerful message and political relevance of this splendid show. With an insightful book by Lonny Price and Kitt Lavoie, stirring music by Grant Sturiale, and witty lyrics by Price and Sturiale, Kiki Baby uses the affecting child's tale to represent the larger issues of materialistic greed and capitalist exploitation that infect societies in the name of ‘business.’… Kiki Baby should be required viewing for anyone trying to understand our country's current economic crisis and for all those ridiculously permissive parents spawning a society of overindulged monsters."

"This is a phenomenal ensemble of veteran actors having a great time with fanciful characters and rich material... Though part of its draw comes from the ‘Toddlers & Tiaras’ style hilarity, Kiki Baby is genuinely touching, emotional, and sometimes disturbing… Kiki Baby is a surprising, evocative musical that will have you laughing, crying, and begging for more."

"Kiki Baby abounds with whimsical charm as it tells the story of its precocious title character... Price and company paint a comically vicious portrait of how the show business machine can be all consuming."

“Kitt Lavoie’s direction kept the pacing sharp and terse thus creating an amazing dynamic between his ensemble of talented actresses. Lavoie has amazing insight into female relationships and his direction consistently drives the ongoing need and resentment that each of these women hold for each other. He should especially be proud of his selection of top-notch actresses as each one brings something unique to their characters."

"I am always impressed with Lavoie's eye for piecing talented ensembles together and his knack for creating brilliant landscapes of relationships."

"CRY HAVOC’s vision of Shakespeare's Macbeth put the emphasis on youth and darkness, which suits the play very well. The sometimes feckless actions of the characters make perfect sense when performed by twenty-somethings aching to prove their manhood. The large, essentially black-box space includes a high-up walkway across three sides that was well-used; the action was well-paced, and the story clearly told. Much was accomplished with few trappings. The familiar items were all in place, but often given a new spin that delivered a punch. There were some well-staged, violent, unexpected deaths, and a breathtaking final tableau of chilling prognostication that explains the prophecy of Banquo's children being kings, even though the play ends with Malcolm in charge. It was a superb touch."

“Raw to the point of being unnerving at times... I loved it.”