I have to reiterate with this review that I am not a "theatre guy" - far from it. I cannot escape these thoughts as I sit in the audience of [Title of Show] - an insider's look on the making of a Broadway show - knowing I would have to write a review of said show. Before the show was over I decided the concept of [Title of Show] might be too difficult to describe with words, so I thought that instead I would write about my experiences writing a review.

What will my lead be? Perhaps something about how I am not a "theatre guy." Then again, nobody has ever confused me for one. I need to decide if I am just going to write every thought down that I have while trying to write this? It seems like this is certainly turning out to be the case. So if I think to myself "Han Solo for President" the phrase "Han Solo for President" will be printed in my review? Well then… "Han Solo for President." Or perhaps this Meta introduction is just my poor attempt to somehow capture one iota of the genius that is [Title of Show].

[Title of Show] follows two friends - Hunter (Hunter Bell) and Jeff (Jeff Bowen, who has a striking on-stage resemblance to Jim Parsons from "The Big Bang Theory") - as they brainstorm ideas in their Hell's Kitchen apartment for a musical to enter in a local festival. The idea they settle on is a musical about the development process of creating a musical. The show begins approximately four years ago and basically ends in the present with the cast taking a bow after finally making it to Broadway, which they are doing for the show, and in reality.

The word Meta does not justifiably describe the self-awareness in [Title of Show]. Characters often cut off one another's musical numbers when they obviously are not working, cast egos must be continuously stroked and dance numbers by the cast - Heidi (Heidi Blickenstaff) and Susan (Susan Blackwell) round out the four-person ensemble - can be purposely sub par to hilarious effect.

We follow the foursome as they go through the trials and tribulation associated with any show (that does not have an already built-in audience, such as one - as the show points out - based on a Disney movie) deemed to be one day successful. The success of the festival, the struggle to make it Off-Broadway, and the second-guessing of one's own talent (possibly the only part of the show not completely played for laughs) during that excruciating long wait for that elusive call to Broadway.

It is, perhaps, this part of the show that is ultimately the most fascinating. Discussions persist about replacing an integral cast member (Heidi) with "a bigger name." This leads Heidi to confront Hunter and Jeff during an upcoming photo shoot, which results in what has to be the most awkward photo shoot of all time during which, naturally, the song "Awkward Photo Shoot" is preformed. Later, Hunter feels the language needs to be cleaned up to play to the more "touristy" crowds associated with Broadway and announces the word "fu*k" had been spoken 16 times up until that point (it was), to which Susan quickly updates the number to 17. I am happy to report, it appears, they never got around to cleaning up the language.

Hunter and Jeff stated they wanted to create something different, and they succeeded. As Hunter points out, there is something for everyone in [Title of Show] - from "half naked guys, to girl-on-girl action" - that is all added in one scene just so he could proudly proclaim this fact. [Title of Show] brings a fresh and clever production to what could have been a show for insiders only (though there are some "insidery" moments, but they do not distract from the show's flow). As the penultimate musical number declares, they would rather be nine people's favorite thing, than 100 people's ninth favorite thing. If there are truly only nine people who consider [Title of Show] their favorite thing (which is doubtful considering the robust ovation at the end), I would love to meet the other eight.

[Title of Show] is playing Thursday through Tuesday at the Lyceum Theater in New York City. For more information, visit the official website.

Story by Mike Ryan
Starpulse contributing writer