THE SCOTSMAN - 4 STARS
"Alsup’s songs (BANNED the Musical) are strong and memorable, in nicely complex arrangements too – tunes are swapped back and forth in complicated ensemble numbers, and the cast offers glowing harmonies as well as vivid solos."
* David Kettle - The Scotsman | Aug 6, 2024
Read the complete review - BANNED Website
Broadway World regional awards:
Selected "Best New Musical" & "Best Musical" (2023)
Broadway World regional nominations:
Best New Musical - WYSIWYG (2019), Eigg the Musical (2023), BANNED the Musical (2024)
Director - Brandon Bill, Kelly McAllister
Choreography - Heather Westenskow
Individual Awards - Randy Chalmers, Jessie Sotwick, Star Ilalalole, Cooper Kaminsky, Antigone Biddle, Eigg Ensemble, Tracy Denver, Lars Preece, Olivia Kisicki. BANNED ensemble
Utah Theatre Bloggers Association
"Written by April Alsup, (BANNED the Musical) the show is billed as a group of gender queer misfits who are in a support group together and also preparing to be in a theatre festival. Directed by Kelly McAllister, this musical has a lot of heart and some really great songs all wrapped up in a pretty fun story. "
* Dr. Maren Scriven | Aug 4, 2024
Read the complete review - Website
The Scots Reviewer - 5 STARS
"This show (Eigg the Musical) has great potential to be something big. It tells an important story and is expertly performed. It is an ultimate show of the power of community, telling an important story of Scotland's history. Could this be Scotland’s next Sunshine on Leith?"
* Abi Whitefield - The Scots Reviewer | Aug 11, 2024
Read the complete review - PDF
GET YOUR COATS ON - 5 STARS
"Eigg the Musical: Before we even talk about how great this show is, I just have to mention that the cast is full of wonderful people. So down to earth and so talented! The show itself is AMAZING. The music is awesome, the story is lovely, and it’s chock full of humor, love, and strength. If you want to see a wonderful musical based on a true story, this is the one! "
Posted in EdFestivals 2023 by Dan Lentell
FIVE PICKS FOR THE FESTIVAL
"The Hebridean story of the Eigg community and hopes of creating a Gaelic utopia are brilliantly told and wonderfully performed. Well worth the ticket.
Posted in Edinburgh Inquirer August 14, 2023
Our Off-Broadway award nominations:
Green Planet Award - WYSIWYG
Outstanding Actress in a Musical - Thomas Ilalaole
Outstanding Actor in a Musical - Randy Chalmers
Outstanding Book of a Musical - Evan Duggan
Outstanding Production of a Musical - WYSIWYG
New Yorker Festival Review:
"The show (WYSIWYG) does break tradition in an important way. Regardless of whether you consider them trans by today’s definitions, musical theater’s gender-bending forerunners like Angel (Rent), Lola (Kinky Boots), Hedwig (& the Angry Inch), and Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Rocky Horror) are always portrayed as so sassy, confident, and Vegas fabulous that you never really question their success in attracting love. WYSIWYG’s April is camp-free and the musical is less about making her into an icon than it is about establishing her as someone with common talents and struggles. I liked the direction it went in."