What I liked
By all means, this concept shouldn’t be as good as it is. A musical based on bumperstickers? Really? But man oh man, in the hands of Stockdale & Green and the direction of Michele Spears, the subject matter is elevated to approach the humanity that is veiled behind the decision to brand your car with a philosophical or political idea that has been reduced to just a handful of words. The music is really good, with a variety of styles—as with any good musical you can walk out humming the songs. (Sell me a cast album!)
And the cast playing a multitude of characters, move beyond archetypes and stereotypes with each song, each one expertly belted out.
I liked the addition of video, cropped to the size and shape of a bumpersticker, even though they aren’t necessary to the story, it’s a level of production design where there can be none on stage, since all the cast are purportedly in their cars.
What I didn't like
The only song that is the weak link is the introductory song “Bumpersticker”. It’s a little too nail on the head, and since we do not yet know the characters, it reads as a trite intro.
My overall impression
By all means, this concept shouldn’t be as good as it is. A musical based on bumperstickers? Really? But man oh man, in the hands of Stockdale & Green and the direction of Michele Spears, the subject matter is elevated to approach the humanity that is veiled behind each sticky pop culture slogan.
