READ THE ROOFLESS REVIEWS LATELY?

The Potential for ROOFLESS is Mind-Blowing

Stephen Schwartz, “Wicked”

A Whole New Way of Exciting

Dean Pitchford, “Footloose”

The Future of the Musical

Share Stallings, DREAMWORKS

Speaks with a New Voice

Marc Jacobs, BROADWAY by the BAY

A Totally New Direction

Kevin Bannerman, FOX

A New Universe

David Lee, NBC, Creator of “Fraiser”

A Roiling Mass of Eye Candy

Lawson Taite, DALLAS MORNING NEWS

Blows the Roof off the Joint

Michael Smith, WORLD ENTERTAINMENT

Nothing Short of Fantastic

TULSA WORLD

Groundbreaking

Stuart Ross, HBO

Play RIGHT!

“Production of the year”

TULSA WORLD

A Must-See

Michael Kerker, ASCAP

Enormous Talent

Stephen Schwartz, “Wicked!”

Incredible Potential

Stuart Ross, “Forever Plaid”

Smokin’

TULSA WORLD

Breathtaking

Tom Sime, DALLAS MORNING NEWS

Dynamic

Terry Martin, WATERTOWER THEATRE

Innovative

BEST of BIG D Magazine

A Knock Out

Kevin Bannerman, FOX

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WHAT THE SELECTION JURY of the NEW YORK MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL HAD TO SAY ABOUT “ROOFLESS” (2010)

JURY MEMBERS:

DONNA LYNNE CHAMPLIN (OBIE Award winning performer, "Hollywood Arms," "Sweeny Todd," "Billy Elliot")

KEN DAVENPORT (Producer, Broadway & Off Broadway. "Altar Boys," "Oleanna," etc.)

KIMBERLY GRIGSBY (Music Director & Vocal arranger for multiple Tony winning Broadway Shows, including "Caroline, or Change," "Spring Awakening," and "Spiderman.")

BEVERLY MACKEEN (Executive Director, New World Stages)

THOMAS MEEHAN (Tony winning bookwriter of "Annie," "The Producers," "Hairspray" "Young Frankenstein," "Crybaby," "Elf," etc.)

JACK VIERTEL (Producer, Artistic & Creative Director, Dramaturg. Shepherded many hit shows to Broadway including "Doubt," "Spring Awakening," "Fela," "American Idiot," "The Book of Mormon," "How to Succeed in Business," "Hair," "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever." etc.)

SCOTT WITTMAN (Director, Lyricist of "Hairspray," "Catch Me If You Can," etc.)

Full bios here: http://www.rooflessthamusical.com/2010/05/elders-big-shout-to-those-mentoring.html

THEY SAID:

“There’s a freshness in the writing, an interesting urban poetry. Characters are smart – even when they feel like they’re about to turn into the usual stereotypes (abusive gangsta, soulful underprivileged urban artist), something surprising or playful is revealed.”

“The music ranges from R&B to Hip-Hop, Beat Box to Musical Theater - it's brilliant and just when you think there are no more surprises, the music flips to another genre. People may find it disjointed - but I loved every second of it.”

“This is real hip hop, with a strong grasp of the wide range of rapping styles within the genre. Instead of the crappy singsong beat that frequently tries to pass for rap in musicals, these writers understand hip hop flow, playing with inverting rhythms and mixing up the beat so that 4/4 monotony never sets in.  They also throw in proper melodies, frequently employing tight a cappella harmonies to underscore the “real songs,” which range from R&B to gospel to theatre pop.”

“Reminds me a lot of what Lil Wayne does which is intelligent, thought-provoking and fitting hip-hop lyrics. It's genius.”

“'Roofless' is a very well done piece and deserves a chance. The songs are well placed and each one has a purpose and a reason for being there. The narrative structure is interesting and the story is enough to engage you the whole time… Overall, a very strong piece that I'd highly recommend. It's something I haven't seen before - a hip-hop musical? Could work, right? As for the songs, Lil Wayne should watch his back, he's not the only rap artist packing heat.”

“Score is wonderful— it’s got a really great overall tone and the tunes suit the moments and the characters….and forwards the plot. Really smart, brave tunes.”

“I think some of these grooves are really fantastic. And the characters and dialogue are very engaging and keep me interested. I love the unapologetic nature of the language, the story and these people. It’s unique.”

Tulsa Premiere & Dallas Productions – 2002 / 2003

“A work of choreography that is nothing short of fantastic.”

- The Tulsa World

“It takes off from ‘Stomp!’ and ‘Bring in Da’ Noise, Bring in Da’ Funk,’ but there’s a simplicity and emotional directness those larger-scaled shows lack.”

- The Dallas Morning News

“Creates something strong and hopeful from the darkest moments of the African-American experience.”

-  Lawson Taitte, Dallas Morning News

“…bold, loud, challenging and scattershot; a beautifully unstructured collection of musical blasts and amazing dance performances that make ”Roofless” a visually stunning work of art.”

- The Tulsa World

“This highly stylized work features so much energy, goodwill and passion that it may surprise even some of those who saw the production that the overriding theme of the show is suicide.”

- The Tulsa World

“A remarkably apt title considering how close the creators and their young cast came to figuratively blowing the roof off the joint.”

-Michael Smith, World Entertainment Critic