Broadway World - Highly Recommended
"...Open Fist's clever, hilarious World Premiere musical adaptation of Neil Simon's MUSICAL FOOLS is a hilarious musical adaptation of his play, Fools, with book and lyrics by Simon, and music and lyrics by Phil Swann and Ron West, a veteran comedy genius from Chicago's Second City, who has directed the laugh fest like a Monty Python version of Fiddler on the Roof performed by the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players. Off-the-wall hysterical choreography by Louisa Kendrick Burton greatly enhances the comedy, with musical direction by Jan Roper often adding in the flavor of Eastern European Klezmer music."
LA Splash - Highly Recommended
"...Each member of the production team has taken the tale to a new and delicious level by offering beautiful costumes (Mylette Nora), excellent lighting (Matt Richter and Mary Keegan), and absolutely clear sound (Tim Labor) - so important when Sondheim-type lyrics tell the story. Let's not forget the live on-stage band led by Jan Roper with Ross Wright (bass), Adam Snow (drums), and Matt Germaine (reeds/flute). Their musical punctuation adds without overwhelming. MUSICAL FOOLS is both a musical extravaganza and a family-friendly show which will entertain audiences from six to 60 (and even above)."
Stage Scene LA - Highly Recommended
"...A little-known Neil Simon gem serves as the inspired source for Neil Simon's Musical Fools, a delightfully tuneful, downright hilarious Open Fist Theatre Company musical comedy surprise."
ArtsInLA - Somewhat Recommended
"...The actors give it their all, but the energy just isn't there. And while most of them are capable of singing (like most of us are), they don't appear to be accomplished vocalists (considering they're in a musical and so much of this story is told through song), and they don't project enough to make up for any weakness in vocal ability. Snodgrass has a fantastic voice, but she doesn't have the presence to be the central love interest around which almost the entire story revolves. Cat Davis (as a street vendor) brings some loopy humor to the stage, and Derek Manson and Robyn Roth as Sophia's parents are solid comic actors.
On Stage Los Angeles - Recommended
"...And enthusiastic cast, accompanied by a truly delightful live orchestra (well.. four pieces) that Klezmers like anything to accompany strong singing and Luisa Kendrick Burton's really clever choreography. As we might expect from Neil Simon, it's a love story. Poor Tolchinsky stumbles into a morass of really stupid jokes and a pantomimed door slam that got me every time."
Gia on the Move - Highly Recommended
"...Open Fist's Neil Simon's Musical Fools is seriously in the well-achieve above the hype category that anyone should expect from this theater company's long list of consummate productions."
Stage Raw - Highly Recommended
"...The performance level rises significantly with the appearance of Jason Paige as Count Gregor in Act II. Paige has by far the most compelling singing voice in the cast, and he's also a dynamic actor with something very funny to play. After so much celebration of stupidity, it's a wonderful tonic to witness the matching of wits between Count Gregor and Leon the schoolteacher. So hang in there during the occasional moments when the show lags (which it does), because the many "switcheroos" between Gregor and Leon are worth waiting for, and Paige and Byous know how to mine the comedy gold."
Theatre Notes - Highly Recommended
"...Neil Simon's Musical Fools is so hilarious that I giggled, guffawed, snorted, and howled basically through out the whole show. I cannot remember having a better time at a show than this. If you love comedy as I do, don't hesitate, get your tickets, see the show, extend its run. You will not be sorry."
Peoples World - Recommended
"...A charming new musical closely based on prolific American playwright Neil Simon's Fools has just enjoyed its world premiere here and is running through November 17. It's not a terribly deep piece, and not the usual fodder for our serious, politically engaged readers, yet it is so boisterously silly and good-hearted, and suitable for all audiences, that it is truly worth seeing in times that need a little comic relief. Wasn't it Lenin, after all, who said, "Irony and patience are the principal qualities of the revolutionary?""
