This book for this musical was written by Steven Levenson (best known for Dear Evan Hanson) and the songs were composed by the team that wrote Frozen and Frozen II (Robert Lopez & Kristen Anderson-Lopez). The first 2 eps were directed by Thomas Kail, director of Hamilton. With this high-powered team, you’d expect something fresh and fun, but what you get is a rather mundane, traditional romcom. Mae Whitman plays an aspiring writer who moves to New York, where she meets an investment banker (Carlos Valdes). During the 8 eps, they go in and out of love/relationship and that’s pretty much the plot. Meanwhile, there’s a “chorus” of voices from their family and friends who chime in with regular disparaging comments and negative thoughts. The 2 leads are “regular” types but not especially exceptional. Even so, the songs are tuneful and the staging of the numbers features fair choreography. Essentially, this could have been made 20 years ago, because, despite the pedigree, there’s nothing special or innovative in this production. BTW, look for Virginia actor Joel Haberli as the boss. 
(2.5 / 5)
