Reviews

Mr. Varney writes a punchy tune. And beneath the jocular tone, there's an expansive shout-out to the masses of overqualified people stagnating in office cubes across the globe, performing menial tasks while less-deserving climbers who refuse to play fair forge ahead.

DAVID ROONEY - NEW YORK TIMES

 

Featuring a bouncy pop/rock score with a memorable title tune, the show is less interested in office politics than it is in depicting Keith's nemesis, the sexy blonde Jenny (Kelly Karbacz), as the bitch from hell ... it's clever and tuneful enough to resonate with any employee who's gotten the short end of the stick.

FRANK SCHREK - NEW YORK POST

 

Painfully relevant in the face of a national unemployment rate of 9.6 percent, "I Got Fired" is not only a passionate response to our economic times, but an inspiration not to settle for a boring job that doesn't fulfill your passion... (Keith Varney) gives a tour de force performance with powerful, soaring vocals that defy his bookish, bespectacled looks... Whether you've been recently let go or not, chances are you'll enjoy this smart show, and it may lead you to take a hard, honest look at your work situation.

CINDY PIERRE - BACKSTAGE.COM

 

(The opening number) is a brave, unabashed, and 
foul-mouthed translation of the anger, frustration, and disappointment one feels walking out the door of a job for the last time. Coupled with the song's later, other-colored reprise, it's clear that Varney gets it... Devon Goffman (plays Steven) with a lovely, quiet simplicity... Kelly Karbacz (is) effervescent...   

NYTHEATER.COM

 

Kelly Karbacz plays (Jenny) with determined viciousness without going over the top as the wicked witch of the desk set... Smartly and briskly directed by Steve Bebout, the whole cast is solid, a well-oiled machine.  Music and lyrics are snappy and snippy and snarky as they should be, with admirable songwriting craft in evidence. I would "re-hire" these workers, one and all, to continue their employment as splendid workers in the salt mines of theatre with this salty-humored show peppered with laughs, neatly satirizing office politics.  And maybe even giving some who take their office jobs too seriously at the cost to others' -- and their own -- humanity some pause for needed reflection.  But don't let that stop you from laughing.

ROB LESTER - NIGHTLIFE EXCHANGE.COM

 

The buoyant, snarky workplace show... timely on a 
number of levels... Varney's book is often quite funny ... the cast is terrific in selling their roles. And they’re vocally impressive to boot — particularly Varney, whose voice seems big enough to fill a stadium. The score needs no fine tuning. It's melodic and inventive, and the lyrics fit in well with the sassy energy of the show... You hate to take delight from someone losing his job, but I’m certainly glad bring us this enjoyable new musical.

JULIA FURAY - CURTAINUP.COM

 

I laughed heartily...Funny stuff, engagingly staged... You can't help but take a little pleasure in knowing that there's a real "Jenny" out there whose actions have come back to haunt her and make her the villain of a New York musical.    
LAUREN YARGER