The New York premiere of Kyle Fackrell’s two-person musical, The Art Tour, arrives at Theatre Row with the charm and catchy simplicity that defined its earlier engagements. It is a romantic comedy that will make you get out of the theater feeling good about yourself!
Following the cross-country reunion of aspiring artist Deb and businessman Thomas, the show successfully grounds its expansive road trip premise in the intimacy of its Off-Broadway setting.
The production embraces its heartland origins, focusing intently on the emotional architecture of a relationship rekindled amidst the pursuit of artistic and financial dreams.
Michael Tacconi and Samantha Joy Pearlman anchor the piece with chemistry, effectively navigating the musical’s shifts from light-hearted banter to moments of genuine emotional reckoning. I really enjoyed the high energetic performance of both!
The scenic design remains rely on projections and a lot of art materials, and you feel at times you are on the road or camping with the duo in Colorado.
Musicians can be seen playing live on stage, providing an extra at this musical’s strongest asset: a refreshingly straightforward book and a score that features several songs crafted for pure audience enjoyment.
The transfer to the New York stage, after runs in London, have refined its emotional beat, solidifies The Art Tour as an exploration of second chances and the pursuit of meaning outside traditional success metrics.
The direction keeps the pacing brisk, preventing the road trip narrative from feeling stagnant and allowing the emotional stakes—namely, the choice between security and creative fulfillment—to resonate clearly.
Photo by Jeremy Daniel.
The musical’s structure, which pits the struggles of independent artists against the demands of commerce, is timely and accessible, making it particularly resonant for an audience navigating post-pandemic ambitions.
This limited Off-Broadway engagement ultimately succeeds by offering a deeply human, genuinely warm, and surprisingly funny look at love that endures even when the destination is uncertain.
The production team includes Bryson Baumgartel (Music Direction), Andrew Fox (Orchestration), Izzy Fields (Scenic & Costume Design), Caite Hevner (Projection Design), Kate McGee (Light Design), Tony winner Jessica Paz (Sound Design) and Emily Paige Ballou (Production Stage Manager). Casting by Ross Shenker. General Management by Foundation Theatrical/Erich Jungwirth. Production Management by Parrish Productions/Lauren Parrish.
Musicians include Bryson Baumgartel (Music Director and Keyboard), Sarah Haines (Violin/Viola), Angelique Montes (Cello), Justin Rothberg (Acoustic Guitar) and Jared Decker (Percussion).
Performances are November 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 at 7:30pm and November 16 and 22 at 2:00pm.
Run time is approximately 90 minutes, no intermission. Tickets are $39 – $99 (includes fees). Purchase at the box office or https://bfany.org/theatre-row/shows/the-art-tour.
For more info visit https://thearttourmusical.com.
Theatre Row (Theatre Four), located at 410 West 42 St. in NYC. Opening night is November 14.
#offbroadway #thearttour #newyork #ny
