Obviously Michael

The show was thoroughly charming. I was impressed with its ability to avoid being too cutesy or too light or too self-serious. It felt a little "workshoppy" but that is the nature of the piece. It was non-traditional in staging and story and the piece needs some creative exploration before it is complete. It didn't feel complete, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the show. Some of the cast members took a while to warm up to their roles, but by the end of the show they all shined. Highly recommended.... full review

Obviously Michael is inventive, fun, and heartwarming. All at once its whimsical, heartwarming story is silly, imaginative, and completely touching. Under the insightful direction of Laura Steinroeder, the energetic cast truly captures the immediacy and innocence of childhood, creating an engaging, nostalgic, totally family-friendly show. I wish I had kids, so I could bring them to see this; but even as a young adult I loved and appreciated every minute.... full review

One of the most magical moments I've ever had in a theater was seeing "Urinetown," when the father's spirit walked out on stage, stood on a box and other actors sprayed mist around him to show he was a speaking from the beyond. It served to be hilarious, touching and uniquely theatrical. "Obviously Michael" could get there with a lot of script development, and the team pushing their creativity to the max. There were a few imaginative moments that showed where this show could go. The script has some unique and real observations on life and how we label each other at the young age of six. They just need to push it and go for it. With lots of different worlds, levels of reality and dreams, I urge this new company to take a deeper look at ... full review

Not at all what I expected. The show is cute in a way that only shows about young kids can be. The cast make us believe they are all first graders with their attendant active imaginations. The story line is inventive and brought out ably, although stumbling at times. Overall, a good show.... full review

Obviously Michael is a sweetly creative enactment of a child's first struggle to accommodate his own imagination in the social world. Smartly framed between the imaginary, the real, and the in-between, Obviously Michael slows and scrutinizes the process of growing up, its losses and gains, and is hopeful in its ultimate allowance for both the imaginary and the real. ... full review

I really enjoyed this show. It is a sweet piece of theatre that really captures the sometimes lonely journey of being a kid navigating the pressures of peers and expectations. At times, I was reminded of how uncomfortable it was to be a kid leaving the world of total support and moving into the uncertainty of school. Great directing and some fun performances highlight this show.... full review

Clever, fun, pure, well put together! I really, really enjoyed watching this production. I was left hoping it'd last longer. I wanted to know more about these characters and what happened to them growing up. We get hints of Michael's new job, but don't move beyond - I believe - the 3rd grade. The show is a great set up for who this boy is, who his friends are, and the world he learns to share with those who finally allow him to open up to them. It's a touching story without getting sentimental. I really appreciated the way the story is told through real conventions who become theatrical conventions, and classmates who exist just as really in an imaginary world. It reminded me of the movie "Beautiful Creatures," but not creepy a... full review

It is clear that so much heart and enthusiasm went into making this show. It was wonderful to see such a committed cast having a great time up there and this made it fun for us to watch. I only wish I had kids to bring with me so they could relate to the many trials and tribulations explored of growing up and finding yourself, but it was fun to be reminded of the good ole' days anyway. Although it was primarily a younger, seemingly not-so experience cast, there were some really specific stand outs and it made me so glad I was supporting and encouraging future artists to keep performing and creating!... full review

A shaggy-dog of a show. Unkempt, somewhat nonsensical but with a really big heart. Performers do yeoman's work and it moves along nicely.... full review

"Obviously Michael" was delightful. The ensemble cast blended their own youthful appearances into adult like characters and back into children in a seamless fashion. The eternal struggle in humans who don't want to grow up is expressed through "Michael" and his desire to leave his "conventions" behind him. I attended the show with my children and was pleased with the questions and comments they shared on the car ride home. They were moved by the show & it's performers as was I. ... full review