Rogue Machine Theater | February, 2023
By Steven Stanley
Director Michael Pressman elicits one fabulous featured turn after another from a supporting cast of nine multi-taskers in a grand total of sixty-six roles: aliens, abductees, scientists, shoppers, housewives, soldiers, planets and stars, not to mention the President of the United States (Vona) and none other than Elvis himself (Renard).
Schofield’s Aunt Ruthie is a hilarious, imperious delight, Nozick and Jobe score laughs galore as Maggie’s hidebound folks, Renard makes for the most appealing of alien love interests, Ramsey is a handsome, hissable 1950s hubby, Philip Casnoff’s Detective Ziskin does Dragnet’s Joe Friday proud, and Egan, Nicole Ledoux, and Vona earn MVP points in a grand total of three dozen roles.
More Praise for Come Get Maggie
“A zippy and brand-new musical.” – Los Angeles Stage
“Almost guaranteed to be a runaway hit. Every element in this two-hour, world-premiere was exceedingly well-executed. The actor performances were, by and large, some of the most stunning I've seen up close in a musical. 1000% talent and ensemble delivery. It was good to the last drop.” - Broadway World
“Entertaining and brilliantly presented production. Geniously directed by Michael Pressman... and incredibly funny.” - Culver City News
"I watched with increasing delight. This musical with its catchy score and inspirational message about freedom and true love will have you wishing upon the stars for a happy ending.” - Discover Hollywood
"The juiciest deus ex machina since Aristophanes: Alien abduction. A great score joyfully belted out by the cast. "This deliriously, dizzy, frothy comedic concoction takes us on a genre-and gender-bending excursion to outer space with the unexpected, yet hilarious, upending of binary standards of “acceptable” behavior.” - Hollywood Progressive
"A fun and frothy evening of musical theater. Sharp, clever writing and creative staging ... not a note or a line was out of place. The audience loved every minute." – The Hollywood Times
"A whimsical and entertaining production which suspends reality just enough to make the world sparkle. Buckle up and get ready to take an exciting trip into the universe.” – LA Splash
Absolutely worth checking out. The cast all does a terrific job.The crew is a powerhouse of experienced people. A crowd- pleasing show” - LA Theatre Bites
“Wonderful, witty songs ... sung by an incredibly talented cast. The songs enhance the unique storyline, adding to its soulful yearning for freedom.” - Larchmont Buzz
“Come Get Maggie has almost everything a new original musical ought to have. It’s funny, it’s quirky, it’s clever, and it’s terrifically performed. I loved the concept. I loved the plot. I loved the characters. I loved the mid-20th-century nostalgia. I loved the performances.” - Stage Scene LA
"Recommended. This wacky musical romp has brought together an impressive team of well credited and highly awarded artists. The performing ensemble is versatile and vocally strong. The vocal textures and counterpoint are noticeably inventive. A delightful watch. Top Ten…The seasoned leadership of Pressman and Wendle is present throughout the show, from peppy period dance moves and on-stage alien abductions to unspoken jokes and physical humor added between lines." – Stage Raw
“Veteran director/producer Michael Pressman, who co-won two Emmys for producing Picket Fences, strikingly brings all of this merry mayhem together to land safely (if, not exactly, sanely).” - Hollywood Progressive
