Los Angeles Times
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Too bad the score, conducted by Brent-Alan Huffman and under the musical supervision of Michael Kosarin, consists of so much imitative doodling. Second-hand gospel and generic musical theater rock occasionally give way to a copycat "Guys and Dolls" number or some other familiar retread. Menken is an esteemed veteran of stage and screen, but too often he settles here for mere competence."
Variety
- Somewhat Recommended
"...
It's no spoiler to admit that "Leap of Faith" brings various miracles and conversions into play as it claps and shouts to its conclusion. "The Color Purple" kept its religion under its choir robes to appeal to a crossover audience. Whether theatergoers in Los Angeles and beyond will be receptive to the in-your-face sermonizing of "Leap of Faith," God only knows."
Backstage
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Robin Wagner's scenic design is surprisingly minimalist. It proves quite fluid, meshing well with Donald Holder's ravishing lighting effects and William Ivey Long's flavorsome costumes. Boyd and Nightingale's stirring duet "Walk Into the Sunset" and the title-song finale come closest to matching Menken's previous standout work. Yet this project will need its own commitment of faith-and major retooling-to make a successful leap to Broadway."
Edge
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Even so, Leap of Faith is enormously entertaining. The staging by Rob Ashford is exciting, the production values are as good as they get, and the onstage talent is absolutely first class. If you go expecting to find the next rung up on the evolutionary ladder of the American musical, prepare to remain in place. It's as familiar as the Lord's Prayer and every bit as showbizzy, raucous and manipulative as a tent revival. Maybe that's the point, in which case this might be the slyest musical ever written."
Stage and Cinema
- Somewhat Recommended
"...For one thing, it's based on a mediocre Steve Martin movie that was already a rip-off of an N. Richard Nash play, The Rainmaker, which was turned into a pretty okay musical, 110 In The Shade, so why do we need another musical about an Elmer Gantry-like con man, who runs a traveling religious caravan, stranded in a drought-ridden small town in Kansas, and who falls in love with a hard-bitten waitress whose son wears braces on his legs from an accident which killed his father' The musical asks four questions: Will the boy walk again' Will it rain' Will the con man be redeemed' Will the tough-talking waitress manage a smile before the evening ends' If you don't already know the answers to these questions, then maybe Leap of Faith has a reason to exist."
The Hollywood Reporter
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Faith is a tricky subject to handle without getting maudlin, shrill or simplistic, and "Leap" doesn't make these mistakes. There's an affecting power to the show at times that can't be denied, especially in Act 2. But whether Esparza and those dynamic revival scenes are enough to carry the day might require more of a leap of faith, at this stage of development, than the Big Apple is prepared to make."
LA Splash
- Recommended
"...Director / Choreographer Rob Ashford has assembled a fine production in Leap of Faith. He makes an interesting choice in using dance as a key element in the transitions, as well as in drawing the difference between the travelling entourage and the residents of Sweetwater. In fact, the ensemble numbers were clearly the "star" of the show. The energy and organized chaos of the ensemble number worked very well, without abandoning the underlining drama of the central plot."
Examiner
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Under the direction and choreography of Rob Ashford, this musical is energetic enough, but sometimes the score by Alan Menken ("Little Shop of Horrors," "Beauty and the Beast," "Little Mermaid," and "Sister Act" among others), and the lyrics by Slater ("The Little Mermaid," "Sister Act") are uninspired. There were moments when snippets of the scores melodic line sounded vaguely familiar, particularly in the case of Marva's first song, "Do Whatcha Gotta Do," that seemed to recycle bars from many other musicals, all faintly familiar but utterly forgettable. Menken has won eight Oscars for Disney animation tunes ("Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin" and "Pocahontas")."
CurtainUp
- Highly Recommended
"...It's a feel-good musical, no doubt about it. Leap of Faith at the Ahmanson with a blazing cast delivers. Based on the Steve Martin movie, it adds the writing talents of Janus Cercone (book) to the musicianship of composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater to come up with a shrewd, smart and roof-raising production under the quick-paced baton of Rob Ashford."
Socal
- Highly Recommended
"...It should be noted that you do not have to be religious or spiritual to enjoy this musical. Despite the gospel choir and the illuminated cross fly-in, it's not preachy or biblical. So set your worries aside and come to the theatre for a warm, fuzzy show with an utterly predictable happy ending. Don't go to Leap of Faith for Brooke Shields, go because you have faith in the musical genius of Alan Menken."
OC Register
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Director-choreographer Rob Ashford brings his usual clarity to this debut production, but sometimes his group dance scenes look cribbed from "Oklahoma!" and Eugene Loring's "Billy the Kid." There's a little too much angling back and staring at the withering sun. That flaw would be less noticeable if we got something else to look at besides posing chorus members, but Robin Wagner's undernourished set offers little beyond row upon row of dying corn."
