In our bonkers world of thundersnow, habitual train traffic ahead of us, and pathetic American politics, sometimes you need a piece of entertainment that makes you forget it all and just feel happy (TRULY HAPPY) for 90 minutes!
Sometimes that’s all I wish for….
That wish came true with a theatre piece literally called “What’s Your Wish”.
© Theater Now New York, Photo by Sarah George
This folk musical from Thicket & Thistle is the most heartwarming thing I’ve seen in ages. Every moment was just pure delight. I’d actually forgotten how wonderful lighthearted entertainment can be! What’s Your Wish washed all my troubles and worries away for over an hour. What the fuck more could a New Yorker wish for?
I went into this show with zero expectations. That’s the only way to see Off-Off-Broaday. See, Off-Off-Broadway is like a box of chocolates. You never know if you’re going to get a smooth, delicious caramel that’s sweet enough for Broadway or a poorly directed marshmallow monstrosity that leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
What’s Your Wish might be the sweetest little musical I’ve ever seen. The show is pure heart, creativity and talent.
© Theater Now New York, Photo by Sarah George
The synopsis is not what makes What’s Your With special. When I tell you the musical is about a 16 year old boy who wants a car for his birthday but instead gets sucked into a magical story book with fairies, talking rats, and evil enchantresses, you might say, oh I’ve heard that one before. We all have! Yet Thicket & Thistle creates an entirely unique production with a tale as old as teen angst.
Comfort in the familiar is part of the magic. It makes every little surprise that pops out from “trees” in the enchanted forest all the more fun. Watching this show, I could see the passion that the cast and crew poured into this production. There wasn’t a weak link in the cast of six. Kyle Acheson, Sam De Roest, Joshua Stenseth, Corley Pillsbury, and Lindsay Zaroogian gave it their all singing, playing different instruments, and even tackling some puppetry special skills.
© Theater Now New York, Photo by Sarah George
You’ll find sincerely and heart in every performance, accompanied by just the right amount of wacky.
Director Jonathan Eric Foster really makes the most of every actor, every song, even every set. He took the small budget characteristic of Off-Off-Broadway and turn it into a strength of the production. There’s a tongue and cheek humor that floats throughout the play along with the music. There’s that rare feeling of a group of friends, coming together to do what they love, succeeding, and laughing all the way. Just sitting in the audience, I felt like I was in on their jokes, a part of the group too. That is NOT an easy thing to create, or even an easy thing to describe! It’s an awesome thing to experience. What more could you wish for!?
© Theater Now New York, Photo by Sarah George
I saw What’s Your Wish as part of a festival at Theatre Now, a company dedicated to fostering new musicals and plays (definitely check them out!)
YOU can see What’s Your Wish as part of the upcoming New York Musical Festival! That’s kinda a big deal in the NYC theatre world. Don’t take my word that this show is a delightful breath of fresh air, take NYMF’s!
Thank you for your lovely contribution to the BT!
It’s always been my dream to go to theatre school and work on Broadway and in theatre. I didn’t think I could possibly do it because, well I’m from a tiny island, but this is incredibly encouraging! Thanks so much! Name: Rachael Currie Email: curachael@gmail.com : I give permissions to the Newfoundland Herald to use my comment in future publications custom writing