REVIEW: RATS! ANOTHER MUSICAL?

RATS! Another Musical? brings you a high-energy, narrative-driven, fully improvised musical sparked by audience suggestions. Each performance is created live in the moment with spontaneous songs, bold characters and incredible ensemble chemistry. This review focuses on their improv take on the classic musical West Side Story which was staged opening weekend of the Hamilton Fringe.

The performance, as mentioned, is inspired by West Side Story and, thanks to the audience suggestions, focuses on a Typewriter Salesman who falls for their enemy turned forbidden love: a Tech Bro. Lighting cues help distinguish who is on House Typewriter and House Tech Bro and each song, with an original score by musical director Rory Grant, builds characters motivations. Naturally, when the characters can no longer speak, they sing their thoughts and desires to an eager audience.

Featuring the talents of Nitin Anand, Kara Austria, Kristi Boulton, Sean Cage, Kyle Claeys, Elanja Corosky, Daniel Fishbayn, Robbie Grant, Katie Mills and Arielle Zamora, this cast has strong, clear voices with an impressive amount of belting, mixing and harmonizing. There’s a great trust, comedic timing and support from one another to see a song or scene through. Musically, “rhymes on a dime" are no easy feat and the cast makes it look simple; a testament to their years of experience doing improv comedy of this nature.

While not everything works in an improvised musical, their efforts still make you laugh because it's impossible not to. It’s an unconventional way to see a piece of musical theatre come to life and this troupe recognizes when to move on without scenes feeling forced or awkward.

If you enjoy improv comedy, musical theatre and fearless individuals belting their hearts out about the most random occupations and situations, then Rats! Another Musical? will delight you. Their next round of shows at Hamilton Fringe features a spookier tone with Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street as the new inspiration for this troupe to impress audiences with. Be sure to “attend the tail.” Well-worth seeing at this year’s Fringe!