Blank! The Musical at New World Stages

The New York Times - Recommended

"...Witty and likable in refreshingly unaggressive ways, the performers of "Blank!" seem to have genetically coded knowledge of the forms, formulas and cliches that make up the bulk of contemporary musicals. These are shows that, as Mr. Mannix's M.C. pointed out in the beginning segment, take an average of five years (and millions of dollars) to incubate."

Flavorpill - Not Recommended

"...I recognize that the nature of improv means that some nights are better than others, but this troupe fell down on most points. One might forgive a nonsensical improvised "story" if there are enough hilarious zingers, or one might overlook repetitive music if the cast can conjure rhyming lyrics on the spot. Unfortunately, Blank! offered few rhymes and less story, with little variation to the music and only the occasional zinger. With cast members frequently stepping on each other's lines and serving each other denials (violating the number one rule of improv), the performers spent quite a bit of stage time struggling to regain momentum."

Theater In The Now - Recommended

"...Blank! The Musical, debuting at New World Stages, is musical improv that busts out a brand new show each night. Like most improv, audience participation is the backbone to the start of a night of hilarity. But Blank! takes audience interaction to the max! Upon arrival, audience members are encouraged to take out their smartphones and hit up the app that will allow them to vote on the elements of the show they're about to see. When host T.J. Mannix comes out, he compiles audience suggestions through shoutouts and then it's your turn to vote like a tween voting for their favorite contestant on a reality show. Your suggestions will fill in the blank of the title of the musical, the songs in the show, even the key the score will be! What makes Blank! special is it's technological participation. It's a clever device that allows everyone to feel they're a part of something unique. And unique this show will be!"

Stage Buddy - Recommended

"...Supporting the performance from the pit are three stellar improvising musicians, led by music director Mike Descoteaux. Their seamless, on-the-spot composition is astounding. These craftsmen pay homage to every composer you can imagine in songs and incidental music. If you are well versed in musical theater you will certainly enjoy the subtle and not so subtle musical jokes that pepper the evening's show."

The Source - Recommended

"...It's mind-boggling to think that a story involving two cabbies chasing after two girls in Maine can be intertwined with a sub-plot involving whale dentists and baleens, which is interwoven still with a story concerning a man's quest to have children with his 76 year-old wife, all of which is then synthesized and set to music and dance then titled "Is This Supposed to Smell?", but Blank! The Musical did it, and it is quite something else. It is, with a nice PG-13 sensibility, something no one has ever seen before (obviously) or will see ever again."

Broadway World - Recommended

"...At the bottom-line BLANK! THE MUSICAL is the best musical you'll both create and see in New York this holiday season. Sure you can see the shows flanking Times Square, and they'll surely impress you and entertain you. But, you didn't help "write" them or "direct" them. That is what makes BLANK! THE MUSICAL so magical; it's truly YOUR musical! Where else can you see the same cast perform EBOLA: THE MUSICAL one night and THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID! THE MUSICAL on another night?"