IF/THEN- A New Musical

We almost left after the first act. The plot was very dull and hard to follow. The other performers sang circles around Idina. Idina’s vocals were inconsistent and not up to par. I was hoping to be wowed, but I’ve seen her perform better on Glee.

I was really disappointed by this show. A few other people left at intermission, but I paid a lot for the tickets, so I stuck through it.
Menzel was really lagging for the first half, probably saving her energy for the second, and the guy playing Josh was just bad. Kate and Anne were standouts, and overshadowed the rest of the cast.
The music was forgettable and poorly paced. Every song felt like either a lecture or a montage, and I can’t really think of any that I particularly liked. The lyrics seemed to be trying way too hard to be clever, which was echoed in the «quirky» New York jokes — they just came off narrow-​minded and bitter. (Literally every place other than the city was roundly dismissed as somehow terrible, while typical things that happen in every city were made to seem unique to New York. It was a really strange attitude, and I couldn’t tell whether the characters were being sarcastic or not.)
The biggest problem, though, was that it was just really poorly written. The main character was annoying (I get the sense that they wanted her to be neurotic in a charming way, but she wasn’t.), and all the others were cookie-​cutter stereotypes.
Minor spoilers to follow:
The boyfriend started out believable, but then flopped. The awkwardness was cute while it lasted, but it didn’t last, and he had no flaws whatsoever. Charming, handsome soldier-​doctor who’s always calm and supportive no matter what’s stressing everyone else out? He was worse than a Disney prince. Then the sassy black lesbian and the puppy-​love-​ridden grad school boyfriend… It was pretty terrible.
The plot was asinine and flat-​out sexist. The career-​driven side of her mopes around singing about learning to «live without» and then reevaluating her life after a near-​death experience. BIG BIG SPOILERY SPOILER: abortion is addressed solely as something women do to men and then regret for the rest of their lives.
The romance-and-man’s-approval-driven side is self explanatory and plays out like a bad country song. (And the show is full of bad country songs.) It ends with her essentially learning that other people are all that matters, and that she should only get a job as a means of supporting and accommodating others. Or something. It was hard to hear through all of the traditional-family-values-but-let’s-pretend-we’re-actually-liberal-by-throwing-in-a-few-off-key-jokes-about-Republicans-see-how-progressive-our-sexism-is?
Overall, the show just felt very confused. Not confusing, but confused. It didn’t know what it was, and neither did anyone on stage. It felt somehow naïve, splashing cliches all over the place and more or less telling you when you were supposed to laugh and cry. It just wasn’t good.
But anyway, the short version is that I wouldn’t pay to see it again, nor am I interested in downloading any of the songs. Menzel did her best, if that’s what you want to see. She had very little to work with, but she’s on stage a lot and owns it.

This is the only Broadway show I’ve seen twice, and there’s reason for that, it’s a great show.
The music is written by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, who are wonderful composers. People complain because the lyrics are strange, but the lyrics are real life, they’re how people talk. That’s something that is important with theatre. Adults, I know you grew up in a different time, but this show is a great example of what theatre is becoming… it’s called a contemporary style for a reason.
This show also showcases a message that is so important, that you pick the way you’re going to live your life each step of the way, that you will gain people and lose them, but everything that is meant to be will happen. You just pick the order.
As a girl who graduated high school a month before seeing this show, it was a message that spoke volumes to me, and almost made me bawl in the theatre, knowing that I was in the process that Elizabeth was in… starting over. Because… we’re always starting over.
Of course, Idina Menzel is great in the role, despite critiques of her «lack of professionalism». (Though I have to say she broke character the 2^nd time I was there and laughed at herself onstage.) But the rest of the cast is stellar. Anthony Rapp and his understudy are amazing. Jason Tam is the love of my life, along with James Synder (who has a great vlog on Broadway.com’s website!). LaChanze, Jenn Collela, Tamika Lawrence, they’re all phenomenal performers.
The show is now closed (sadly) but there’s lots of bootlegs floating around, AND I hear it’s about to go on tour. It’s totally worth your money!

I saw this show twice because the first time Idina didn’t show up. After seeing this again, her understudy Jackie Burns I thought gave a better performance. I’m not sure if it’s because I saw this in the final weeks with Idina, but the energy didn’t seem to be up in the second performance. The show was good but not amazing, it was confusing at times which side of the story she was on when showing which parallel life was playing. The last song of the show finally showcased Idina’s amazing voice, and I wish there were more songs like the last one. After the show, Idina didn’t show up to sign playbills which was disappointing but most of the Principals did which was nice.

Amazing scenery, heartfelt acting, enthusiastic singing, catchy songs, and great pacing. It is safe to say, I would highly recommend this show. I came to this show with my Fiancée for Valentines Day. This show had everything that you could want in a Broadway musical. The principal actors, Idina Menzel, Anthony Rapp, and LaChanze were all phenomenal. They could both sing and act, and gave really riveting performances. I have been to some big name Broadway shows where you could see the actors were not that into their roles, and were just going through the paces. Not Here.
While Idina Menzel is obviously the superstar that will draw in the huge crowds (and she is excellent in the show), all of the actors are terrific, and I genuinely thought this was a well written and produced show all around. The plot, which involves divergent worlds based on the choices you make, was really interesting, and I did not have any trouble following along at all.
Go See it while you still can!

I’m not going to spoil the show for anyone who hasn’t seen it yet but I do recommend seeing this show before it closes! I have been a fan of Idina and Anthony since rent and seeing them on stage (5 rows away) was perfect! The plot was tricky sometimes to follow but it wasn’t anything impossible. I loved can I say LOVE again, the mirrored ceiling. I praise the modern set design, it was beautifully thought out and I think my favorite was the map of the subway on the floor and since we were so close to the stage we didn’t have the advantage of seeing it, but with the mirrored ceiling it was possible! The plot I think was great, the actors were amazing. The soundtrack I’m still listening to and I went a week ago to see the show.
I thought it was a great balance between humor, seriousness, sadness, and realistic situations.

As predicted in my previous review. Idina Menzel is leaving the show in Mar 2015 and as a result this show will be closing.
One wonders if the whole show was just built around her.

If you are reading Unilocal reviews prior to seeing If/​Then, I promise not to make this a spoiler — feel free to read on.
This Broadway musical was a very nice show and laugh out loud funny. Amazing performance by Idina Menzel and her supporting actors. They alllll did a really good job. The theater was clean and the staff was swift in ushering me and my late girlfriends to our seat without the distracting flashlight (sorry, some black folks have issues with punctuality). I loved the diverse cast and the show was true to its New York City theme. I gave it 4 stars because I had a hard time keeping up with the alternative life storyline.
I would recommend this play but there is a caveat … Only if you dig musicals. Enjoy!

I tried my hand at If/Then’s lottery system, where they draw 20 tickets in front few rows for $ 35 ninety minutes before the show (so you need to drop by 90 – 120 minutes before the show to enter the lottery). We ended up getting «lottery loser» tickets for $ 40 in the rear orchestra with obstructed views due to the overhang. There were very few scenes we couldn’t see though, as long as you’re not in the very last row.
I was personally disappointed in Act 1: both the weak plot and weak singing. The storyline essentially just alternates between consequences of choices that Idina’s character makes. The ensemble and orchestra really did not seem rounded out; probably not enough people. It also seemed like Idina Menzel was saving her power for Act 2. I’m not the biggest fan of her talking and half-​singing voices, which were used very often in the first act.
The plot became heart-​wrenching in Act 2. The actresses for Kate (LaChanze) and Anne were truly standouts. My favorite songs were «Some Other Me» and «Love While You Can,» and the second act had a lot more solos, which I found to be enjoyable.
Overall a good show if you’re patient enough to get to the second act. If you only have a few nights in New York, there are so many better musicals to see — yes, even ones without Idina.

This was fun.
It had plenty of songs, but some may want more. I haven’t been to many plays out musicals, so this was enough for me.
If you’re not great at following along with multiple storylines, or tend to miss out because you’re a bit slow on the uptake… this isn’t for you.
Idina’s voice is lovely and amazing to hear and feel. The entire cast was outstanding and you get their stories and potentials as well.
The show has two personalities, two of which ambitious females in ny can easily relate to.

Start to finish, this show was incredible.
The Richard Rogers theatre is the perfect place for this show. The seating just feels Old World and historic. Being in the audience felt like you were breathing in a true Broadway experience.
The plot was very unique and well-​executed. The audience could have been very confused, but everything was clearly explained and staged. This musical, more than most, felt applicable to real life. The road not taken is something that everyone thinks about at some point, and it made the show feel much more genuine.
The music was unforgettable. Idina Menzel and Anthony Rapp back together again seem unstoppable. Idina Menzel has a voice that no one can deny — after all, little girls are still belting out her Frozen lyrics. Just being in the room as it fills with her voice is a powerful feeling. The entire cast is talented, and, to me, there were no weak points. This is Broadway at its best.

This show is a neurotic Jew’s anxiety nightmare of all the choices we do or don’t make.
I liked the idea of the inter connectivity of New Yorkers and the city that we live in. That makes sense to me. But the show is too long, and they manipulate you emotionally in the second act.
If you go, go because you love Idina Menzel. I don’t care for her voice personally, but the show was made for her. It’s like going to see an Idina Menzel concert. Except thankfully without the stupid songs from Frozen.

WOW! This is really a true Broadway show. The ladies around us were crying. There was laughter all around. The whole NYC storyline was amazing — I’d say even inspirational. I’m still listening to the songs days later because it’s hard to catch everything going on at the time. You get a greater respect for the cast and the writers that way.
The whole team was AMAZING. Some songs — especially Menzel’s — sent shivers down my spine. Her voice is so powerful and the emotion she puts in her performances is moving. The whole cast was great as well.
I can’t even say enough great things about it. Listen to the lyrics. Appreciate the plot. Maybe you can and maybe you can’t draw parallels between the story and your life. If not — just enjoy the thoughtfully planned set and all the talent on stage.
I am so glad I watched this Broadway show. This is what I expect when I pay to watch one — something that makes me leave happy and refreshed about life.
Have a wonderful New York moment with a loved one by watching this show! It’s a feel-​good production that I hope stays around for a reallllllly long time.

Idina Menzel and the cast is fabulous. Saw her for the first time in wicked and her voice is just amazing. The singing and dancing are wonderful. The story is very simple and wasn’t my favorite, but glad I saw it. Everyone can relate to the story about choices and paths we take in life that alter so many things and affect others around us. I wouldn’t go back to see it again. We were fortunate to get discount tickets and I’m glad we did for this one.
Tip — Watch Idina when she puts her glasses on and off, that maybe helpful to follow the story line.

A Broadway show that is not only entertaining — but carries within it a strong message that every New Yorker can relate to. It makes you think. You will become attached to the character played by Idina Menzel (because she is simply amazing) — and then enter an emotional roller coaster as she continues her journey through multiple paths.
The story line is a bit confusing and I didn’t completely get it until intermission… I wish I had paid more attention in the beginning and picked up on the subtle hints earlier. I would recommend reading the synopsis prior to watching to get the most out of this show, unless you plan on watching it again.
As far as tickets, we tried for the lottery and were unlucky. Lottery tickets are $ 30 each, cash only. They offered partial view tickets after the lottery for $ 40 — we took them and actually the seats were pretty good. I don’t think we missed anything — so I would highly recommend asking for those seats at the box office if you are looking to save $$$.

I give the entire If/​Then experience 3 ½ stars.
Idina Menzel was amazing and so was LaChanze. Snyder and Dixon were weak IMO. Rapp was pretty good as well.
The storyline can be confusing at times. But it was overall a good plot. I happen to like cursing, there was a bunch of it. There was some humor in there I found quite amusing.
I absolutely HATED the seats. They were small, tight, no room to move. (We had great seats though). I felt claustrophobic, and I am not.
We got 2 drinks, they were $ 32!!!, but came in souvenir cups, still a lot!
I still felt the play was lacking something.
I really enjoyed my time there though.

Only reason to watch this play is for Idina Menzel… was what I first thought of when before watching the show. The actual story and concept is pretty interesting tying the story line of love. I don’t want to give specific details but general premise is a woman has different scenarios to follow her career while falling in love with three different dudes and each story line is intermingled so it is kind of hard to understand but there are specific tell tale signs which story line is. Throughout the story you’ll probably feel super happy, laugh here and there, get emotional at some points, feel for idina’s character.
The music is great as everyone in the show was entertaining. I sat right in the front row so I can see the veins on the head and neck of Idina while perfectly singing her solo’s so you know she is not lip syncing.
I don’t think I’ll watch it again as I have never watched a broadway show more than once but it was a great experience.
Also if you want to get a drink from the bar it’s $ 12 and you get a souvenir cup.

I really fluctuated between 2 and 3 stars for this show. Idina Menzel’s performance was terrific — a 5 star performance. The story was absolutely awful — a 0 star performance.
Act 1 was good enough. Cute idea (at that point) and likable characters. Act 2 is where this show totally loses it. The plot becomes extremely predictable. It was so bad that at one not funny/​serious point, the absurdity of it hit my funny bone — hard. I could not stop laughing. Again, it was a very serious point in the show and there was no humor.
Without giving away any of the plot, you can clearly see the writer doesn’t have any children or any understanding of the emotional connection and ramifications of having children.
My suggestion is to wait for Idina Menzel to have a concert and go see it because she is an amazing performer and skip IF/​THEN.

The first half of the musical was unmoving and a bit of a snore. I regretted paying $ 100 for my ticket. I don’t think it would’ve been worth rush ticket prices either. BUT the second half was fantastic! That’s where all of the depth, drama, and powerful songs lived. (Idina Menzel doesn’t get to showcase her full vocal range until the very last song.) Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to save the show.
Can we just cut the first half of the musical?
If you’re taking visitors to their first Broadway show, I would suggest springing for one of the bigger productions, like The Book of Mormon or Wicked instead.

Great talent cheapend by gratutious vulgarity and a Very Provincial New York centric script.
I saw a great star give a great performance of forgetable songs and a confusing story.