SIDNEY ERIK WRIGHT’s choreography is creative, playful, and highly stylized.  And it uses the whole ensemble well-it feels like they’re having a lot of fun when in background choreography mode.  NYMF Unauthorized

"Manuel vs. The Statue of Liberty"

NYMF July 21-27, 2015

Written by Noemi De La Puente and David Davila

Directed by Jose Zayas

Choreographed by Sidney Erik Wright

Music Direction by Karl Hedrick

Fight Direction by Adele Rylands

Signature Center

with Gil Perez-Abraham, Shakina Nayfack, AJ Meijer, Alicia Taylor Tomasko, Anthony Chan, Erika Gonzalez, Michael Marotta, and Tami Dahbura

Photos by Shira Friedman

NYMF WINNER

Outstanding Individual Performance-Shakina Nyfack

Special Citation for Social Relevance and Impact

Top 5 Nominee “Outstanding Production”

“The Statue of Liberty should always be played by a transgender woman in a sea-foam green cape and boxing trunks.”  The New York Times

“The show is full of spirit, often charming, and has an underdog kind of sensibility an a playful sense of musicality.  Thank God for a musical with something brave it wants to talk about.  SIDNEY ERIK WRIGHT’s choreography is creative, playful, and highly stylized.  And it uses the whole ensemble well-it feels like they’re having a lot of fun when in background choreography mode.  The story is enough to get us to cheer Manuel on, but the real fun is the abundance of zingers and sketch-style comedy.  And every now and then, it sneaks in an emotional sucker punch to the gut.”  NYMF Unauthorized

“The resulting show has a lot going for it, mostly heart, heart, heart, and some fine performances.  Immigration 101 uses its sarcasm and pointed commentary well...and the movements as immigrants in lines being overwhelmed with paperwork and insulting treatment score.  “Define American” is likewise on target.”  Cabaret Exchange

“This is a sweet, sardonic look at what seems an impossible situation.  And this cast makes the most of the choreography, music, and genuine heartfelt story to keep everyone tapping feet and maybe identifying with the undocumented.  The whole show is effective, especially when the bad guy/Lady Liberty is so sly and funny.”  Theater Pizzaz

“Manuel vs. The Statue of Liberty plays out like one of the most essential episodes of “Schoolhouse Rock!” never made...Directed by Jose Zayas who gives it pitch perfect pacing and injects it with the energy of an actual boxing match, the show flies by...The ensemble is wonderful with each and every cast member delivering a memorable performance...Manuel vs. The Statue of Liberty is an essential piece of musical theater that captures lightning in a bottle.”  StageBuddy