Review Roundup: World Premiere of THE NEW WORLD at Bucks County Playhouse - What Did The Critics Think?

The world premiere of THE NEW WORLD runs at Bucks County Playhouse through December 2. It has a book by Regina DeCicco and L.F. Turner, lyrics by Phoebe Kreutz, and music by Gary Adler.

The year is 1620. The Native Americans are enjoying gluten-free, low carb, artisanally happy life when they are invaded by the nation's first immigrants - Pilgrims! There goes the neighborhood in this world premiere musical comedy, where in the tradition of the great Broadway musicals, love wins!

The cast stars Jillian Gottlieb as Susanna Standish, Tyler Maynard as Carl the Turkey, Jennifer Perry as Joan, Justin Guarini as Santuit, Ann Harada as Chief Hyannis, Clyde Alves as Tago, Eddie Cooper as Miles Standish, Adena Ershow as Patience Higgins/Ensemble, Ginna Le Vine as C.C./Ensemble, Yael Rizowy as Abstinence Higgins/Ensemble, Ann Sanders as Mrs. Corn/Ensemble, and Rod Singleton as Colonel Corn/Ensemble. The cast also includes Danny Bevins, Kiet Tai Cao, Annelise Cepero, and Brandon M. Weber.

THE NEW WORLD is directed by Stafford Arima, with choreography Lorin Latarro, musical direction by Paul Masse, costume design by Jen Caprio, lighting design by Kirk Bookman, set design by Anna Louizos, sound design by Joshua D. Reid,

Let's see what the critics had to say!

Neal Newman, DC Metro Theatre Arts: Louizos' set evokes the many locals of the 1620 New World, in a splendid array of colors. Kirk Bookman's lights bathe the trees and seashore in a nostalgic haze, but also evoke the burlesque qualities of the script with vaudeville flashes and theatrical spotlights. Jen Caprio's costumes are an anachronistic hoot, with the Indians (that's the word the authors use) dressed as modern tourists, and the Pilgrims wearing outfits resembling their traditional attire. Paul Masse leads a hot band through the up-tempo score with excellent orchestrations by four-time Tony nominee Danny Troob. Lorin Latarro's choreography is pure Broadway, fitting the anachronistic mood.

Howard Shapiro, WHYY: The show's a little silly and sometimes just plain cute (mostly, the good meaning of that word). And I discovered somewhere in the first half that I was wearing a constant smile... There's an innocence to "The New World." The characters cut through complexities and go directly to the core of their differences - again, in the style of traditional musicals. It's also rich in laughs and songs, with a cast that's good to look at. Sometimes, old-fashioned ideas just remain stylish.

John Dwyer, New Hope Free Press: What ensues delights and inspires. Kudos to the creative team, BCP and the musical development group, and to Stafford Arima for directing this talented ensemble of actors... This ensemble is so strong. Ann Harada as Chief Hyannis owns the stage, as she struts it, extolling how they do things in Massachusetts, in the song actually titled "Massachusetts." This cocky tune includes a great dance break, choreographed by the talented choreographer Lorin Latarro and featuring Clyde Alves... This show is timely and smart, and has great potential to make it to New York and beyond.

Jean Brenner, The Bucks County Herald: But, there are so many other fine performers in this cast: Ann Harada plays a very in-charge strong Chief Massasoit. Her voice is strong and clear. She is short in stature but huge in style. Eddie Cooper as Miles Standish also gives an outstanding performance. Cooper is a big guy with a huge voice to match. Hearing him sing is pure pleasure. The chief's second son is Tago, who comes into his own and out from the shadow of his brother Santuit. He learns to take charge, and he, too, finds love with an unlikely woman, Patience's Aunt Joan, sister to Miles Standish. As Tago, Clyde Alves is very funny as he dances, sings, mugs and talks with a New York accent.

Photo: Joan Marcus

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