Critical Reaction

"The music is uncommonly beautiful, the flashback structure of Crawley's book is deft and the characters are rich, complex and capable of surprise.... The story packs an uncommon emotional intensity of the kind that stays with you for years."
– Chicago Tribune

"Deeply stirring."
– The New York Times

"One of the best musicals of the '90s."
– New York Post"

"...A mastery of pastiche in a score that soars with Jesus-praising gospel anthems, torchy ballads, country-tinged soliloquies and energetic dance tunes."
– Bloomberg.com