In Transit opened at the Circle in the Square Theater last night, and most reviewers feel it belongs underground at an obscure subway station somewhere. Sure, the a cappella musical about contemporary (though not new) characters and themes will certainly be fun for some – think Pentatonix lovers and sitcom enthusiasts – but it’s far from groundbreaking. The strength of the piece is the impressive a cappella vocalizations. Human voices alone create full-sounding ballads and anthems alike, a feat that will delight most audience members…for awhile at least. If you find yourself wondering if this one’s for you, here’s what you do: leave your brain at home and give it a shot. Though it may not stand up to critical tests, this musical has certainly got heart.
NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW OF IN TRANSIT
Every now and then, as yet another peppy cliché prances across the stage of the Circle in the Square Theater, you may pause to ponder the pioneering achievement of “In Transit,” the singing portrait of New York City subway travelers, which opened on Sunday night. After all, what you’re listening to often gleam…
Six years ago I reviewed In Transit Off Broadway and immediately forgot it. It’s an occupational hazard: You give a show focused attention, translate feelings into words and then move on to the next thing. My semi-amnesia could also be attributed to the material: an a cappella musical about stereotypical New…
What’s the appeal of a musical set on and around the New York City subway system? Don’t we all spend enough time on the subway each and every day? Who wants to spend even more time staring at a gritty-looking train platform, being reminded of the delays, overcrowding and countless other frustrations there?…
If “Swipe Again” messages and surly token clerks have taken their toll on your daily commute, perhaps an elixir can be found at the Circle in the Square Theatre, where “In Transit,” an all-a capella, electronically amplified musical, has just pulled into the station…
If Love Actually were a musical set in the New York City subway system (and minus the Maroon 5), the result would come pretty close to Broadway’s In Transit. The new entry, touted as “Broadway’s first a cappella musical,” features a series of characters and stories that occasionally intersect and superficially…
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