Customer Rating: 
Summary: 4 Characters in Search of MUCH Deserved Acclaim
Comment: Four stellar performers, two of whom wrote this piece.
Terrific musical snapshot of the Brilliant Off-Off / Off / Broadway Show.
Self-referential, ingratiating and as "inside" as Forbidden Broadway.
Loved the Show.
Love the Recording.
Love the Performers.
(I know it's hard to tell, but I really LOVED [title of show])
- Mike [ONE OF (at least) NINE PEOPLE]
Customer Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Musical ever
Comment: If you have ever tried to write, act, or do anything else creative, you will probably LOVE this musical. If not, well, i can't speak for you.
I caught the show in New York in 2006, bought the soundtrack on the spot and have listened to it at least 300 times since then. I am an independent film writer/producer and I make all my cast members listen to "9 people's favorite things" before production begins.
funny, relevant, beautifully written and performed, Title of Show is my favorite musical ever---(edging out Rocky Horror, Joseph, Avenue Q, and Wicked).
Customer Rating:
Summary: Those pants look totally [title of show] on you!
Comment: This is one of the most original shows to hit the Great White Way in quite some time. With only four chairs, just as many actors, and one kickbutt keyboardist, [title of show] has completely turned the concept of a musical on its head. The show itself is a must-see whether your knowledge of theater is limited to Depp's Sondheim or defiantly limitless. As a recording, this show still rocks and the love and nuances of these fine people shine through. Thank you guys!
Customer Rating:
Summary: It is SO [title of show]!
Comment: This is one of the most creative and different musicals that I'd heard in quite some time. As is predictable when a show takes as many risks as this show does, it doesn't hit 100% of the time. The ones that do hit, however, make it entirely worth your time.
Now, allow me to say before I get too into the show, that this is meant for theatre lovers and followers. There were a few times where I was running to Google to try and get the joke that was being said. There are multiple mentions of Broadway flops and actors who are out of the mainstream consciousness. If you include the show and not just the soundtrack, that list triples at the very least.
But, as I said, this show hits so often and is so different that it has leaped to the front of my CD collection. The soundtrack starts off with the Untitled Opening Number, which is a mediocre number. However, if you think of it as a critique of how many shows start out in the same manner consistently, it adds a level of humor, and you're going to enjoy the show. The second song is based on a conversation between the two writers and stars of the show (Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell), discussing what to write about. They decide to write about what they are talking about, no matter where it goes (Wonder Woman for President, indeed, good sir!). But, will anybody listen to their ramblings, considering they are just two nobodies in New York.
The third song is entitled An Original Musical, detailing Jeff's writer's block. A little warning on this song that it is exceptionally vulgar. The vulgarity really doesn't have a purpose in the song, but on repeated listenings, it does add a small amount of humor. This is followed by Monkeys and Playbills, discussing the influence in writing this show. Monkeys and Playbills is a tough song to follow without significant theatrical knowledge. It dips into numerous flops and in NYC topics, that took some Googling for me to understand.
After a brief stop, A Part of it All comes on, which again dips into the NYC knowledge and hits and misses a little. Finally, we get to some of the female led songs. Heidi Blickenstaff (The Little Mermaid) starts us with I Am Playing Me, a realization of what the role exactly is and where is could(n't) take her. Its a very funny song that fits in well and livens up a mildly slower period of the show. This is followed by What Kind of Girl Is She, a song where the two female leads are trying to feel each other out for their personalities and how they fit in with one another.
Finally, we come to a song that any person who has tried to write/sing/dance/pain can relate to entitled Die Vampire, Die!. The song is about fighting through your vampires (people who tell you that you can't do something) and becoming a success. I imagine the song might not play well to all, but to some it will have a profound impact.
We are then lead to a series of lighter songs (Filling Out The Form, September Song, Secondary Characters) that move the show along, provide comic relief, and are worth listening to. These three are not the songs that you are buying the CD for, however.
That comes from the next two songs. Starting of is Ms. Blickenstaff's phenomenal A Way Back To Then. Its the most heartfelt song in the show, a slower paced plea to get to the time of a greater innocence. Seeing it in person is even more dramatic. Then, the most well known number entitled Nine People's Favorite Thing. The song basically tells us that the writers realize that this isn't going to play well to everybody. They tell us that this is a niche show, a word-of-mouth show. Its a realistic song, a song that tries to wrap up the show and explain what they were striving for in your listening experience.
The bonus track, entitled [title of show], is a song that is just touched on in the staged version, but expanded for the soundtrack. Also, an additional piece of a throw-away song is tossed on at the end of it (same track) as bonus material.
The show is very aware that this isn't going to be everybody's favorite thing. This doesn't have the wide appeal and broad feeling of a Wicked, Lion King, or even Legally Blonde. This doesn't have the sterling critical record of a In The Heights or Spring Awakening. Looking at the previous reviews, the separation is apparent. This would be the 38th review. Of the first 37, 22 are 5-stars. However, 14 are 3-stars or under. This show knows what it is, plays that card well, and gives a select group of people a very enjoyable experience.
It is clearly not for everybody though. Joe Sixpack is not going to like this. Its vulgar enough that your average Little Mermaid fan isn't going to like this. However, most true theatre fans, in my estimation, will like this. This is a show/soundtrack for us, for this niche.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Too Cutsie
Comment: With all these 5 star reviews, I wonder what I am missing. Do you have to see the show to love the CD. I found the songs cute but all the lyric jokes incorporating the titles of old shows, many if not most of them obscure only stand up well to 2 listenings at the most. Where is the song with some real heart and soul? I kept hoping that one of the women would finally pour it on. I love satirical reviews and shows, but this one seems blah to me. If I have the chance I will see the show, because I'm a broadway baby and maybe I will see what everyone is raving about, but based on the CD alone, yawn!!
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![[title of show] (2006 Original Off-Broadway Cast)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41h2MgWxI0L._SL160_.jpg)
