Having It All Reviews
Los Angeles Times- Highly Recommended
"...The cast -- Lindsey Alley, Kim Huber, Alet Taylor, Shannon Warne, and Jennifer Leigh Warren -- is also perfectly balanced -– one of the finest ensembles in memory. If overworked women can find time to see this show, they will be in on the ground floor of something very special indeed. (Men fond of musical numbers that will blow them into next week should tag along too.)"
LA Weekly- Somewhat Recommended
"...The ensemble sings numbers about motherhood, marriage, J-Date and downward-facing dog. It's all pleasant, but the show is held back by the homogeneity of the songs, in both John Kavanaugh's music and Gregory Nabours' musical direction, which takes five strong voices and molds them all to the same Broadway bombast. The audience for the musical already knows everything it aims to say; it's simply an excuse to rally a gang of girlfriends for a night at the theater, which seems to suit this production just fine."
Backstage- Recommended
"...This show's appeal assures it of a life beyond this premiere. It has heart, and only the most cynical of souls would fail to appreciate its theatricality. It serves as a showcase for terrific actors, and the authors conclude with a satisfying ending."
Edge- Recommended
"...For a pleasant evening of entertainment, Having It All may just be your cup of tea. This new one-act musical never fully takes flight, but offers talented performances, impressive production values, and a heartfelt - if somewhat contrived - message."
Stage Scene LA- Highly Recommended
"...The brainchild of Wendy Perelman, who has co-written the book with lyricist David Goldsmith, music by John Kavanaugh, Having It All stars five of the Southland's finest musical theater leading ladies under the direction of the ever fabulous and ingenous Richard Israel. Needless to say, the show is a winner from start to finish."
StageHappenings.com- Recommended
"...Helen Gurley Brown wrote Having It All: Achieving Life's Goals and Dreams in 1982. Now, nearly 30 years later, the NoHo Arts Center in North Hollywood is presenting a world premiere of the musical, Having It All, conceived by Wendy Perelman, written by David Goldsmith and Wendy Perelman and directed by Richard Israel. David Goldsmith wrote the very clever lyrics to the wonderful music by John Kavanaugh, with musical direction by Gregory Nabours."
ReviewPlays.com- Recommended
"...HAVING IT ALL is a great choice if you are a musical fan who listens to the lyrics. It could benefit with a little more choreography, but that's minor. It's really enough for these five actresses to toe their marks and sing. The transition each character goes through as they help each other to self-discovery is marvelous. It's a musical with a point of view and has the power to inspire us to create something better with our lives."
The Tolucan Times- Highly Recommended
"...The songs and messages are meaningful and funny in turns, and under the animated direction of Richard Israel, the whole cast is flawless! Shannon Warne plays Amy (a bedraggled housewife/ mom), Lindsey Alley plays Sissy (an unmarried struggling writer), Alet Taylor plays Carly (a perky yoga instructor), Jennifer Leigh Warren plays Julia (a tough and narcissistic business woman) and Kim Huber plays Lizzie (a childless married gal). Applause to all! Also technically tight… kudos to Gregory Nabours (musical director), Stephen Gifford (scenic design), Ann Closs-Farley (costumes), Cricket S. Myers (sound) and Luke Moyer (lighting). A top notch production all around… get ready to have some fun"
LA Stage Times- Recommended
"...On paper, the show sounds like a stage version of The View, minus celebrity names, except that it's a musical. And this is why I liked it despite its predictable set-up. It's an original musical that takes its characters relatively seriously – at least when compared to jukebox/jokebox musicals like its producer David Elzer's recent Marvelous Wonderettes and Life Could Be a Dream."
Musicals In LA- Highly Recommended
"...Having It All is that rare "everywoman" musical. It's for every woman who's ever been at a crossroads in her life, doubted her choices, or just plain tried to keep all the plates spinning in the air. In honor of the heart and soul you put into your lives and into the lives of those you love, this one's for you."