Reviews for
"PLAY IT COOL"
The Acorn Theatre - NYC
“The abundant score by Phillip Swann with lyrics by Mark Winkler is consistently excellent and smartly conceived.” Backstage
“The upbeat, jazzy original and tuneful score, music by Phillip Swann and lyrics by Mark Winkler is just plain terrific” Talk Entertainment
“Four Stars” New York Theatre Examiner
“The original musical is well served by Mark Winkler’s lyrics and the energetic music by Phil Swann” Asscociated Press
“Entertaining “ New York Times
“It boasts an infectious, jazz tinged score, lyrics by Mark Winkler and music by Phil Swann sung by a stellar 5 person cast. Sally Mayes tears the roof off the small theatre in sizzling number after number” Theatremania
“Play It Cool strikes the right chord! The music and lyrics are a delight… I especially like “In My Drag”, “Jazz is a Special Taste” and “Scattin’ in the Moonlight”.This is one hip musical cats!” Time Square Chronicles
“Play It Cool is a must see for Jazz musical fans. It is the music that helps the audience feel the emotions.” Newark Theatre Examiner
“The music…runs away with the show, enlivening the story arc. Phillip Swann’s tunes and Mark Winkler ‘s lyrics paint a moody, harsh portrait of a hidden society brightened only by the cool California Sound of the day .Songs like “Club Life/Welcome”, LLike Jazz” and “Play It Cool” are as snappy as the dialogue.” Curtain Up
“The smooth grooves, mostly by Phillip Swann and Mark Winkler would not sound out of place at, say the Village Gate” Chelsea Now
“Swann’s music is harmonically complex, and it has the rhythm and fluency of bebop jazz improvisation… Chris Hoch brings a resonant baritone to “Happy Ending” and Michael McGuirk more than holds his own as an actor who can sing with his poignant “How Do I Go Home Tonight?” Solomon Says
“It indeed does Play It Cool…most notably in it’s score, comprised of songs that double as jazz pastiche and musical theatre character numbers” Show Business
“Cast all your cares away and be transported to a land of jazz ecstasy .” Oscar E. Moore
Review for
"STALE SCOTCH AND CHEAP CIGARS"
"His melodies are so ear-appealing and his piano accompaniment for his own vocals is so fluid and gracious..."
"He doesn't sound like he's performing as much as just opening up and sharing."
"It's passionate without being perfervid or wimpy-limp, and the crooning voice will end lines with a strong, forceful note and then ease back into the dewy eyes and rose petals."
"The ultimate combo valentine/ thank-you card?"
"The lyrical word play is a delight in this sideways but ultimately sympathetic look at an aging fellow who's "in between and on the fence/ The future's now his present tense/ He's moving on with nowhere left to go.""
"The heart is plainly on the sleeve or in the throat and one can see why modern country artists seeking to pour out such hearts in such songs have flocked to Swann as a songwriter."
"...a refreshingly low-key self-examination about being honest, sung gently but thoughtfully..."
Rob Lester - Talkin' Broadway