Michelle Elliott (book/lyrics) and Danny Larson (music/lyrics) began writing this rock musical at the NYU Graduate Musical Theatre Program six years ago. Since then, the show has been through multiple rewrites and various incarnations. I havent seen any previous production, but still Im convinced this one is the best. Elliot and Larson have clearly worked through the problems that consistently plague new musicals–the songs are never extraneous, the dialogue and lyrics are concise, and at 90 minutes, it clips along without ever feeling loose. Daniel Berryman stars as Adam, a half-Caucasian, half-Korean high school student with ADD. His parents (Bob DeDea and Heather Apellanes) and his sister (Diana Huey) are convinced that hell will break loose if Adam goes off his Ritalin. Adam doesnt buy it, and the musical follows him on a day without medication. The story is still a work in progress; the commentary on high schools filled with incompetent teachers and overmedicated students tends to be heavy-handed, pushing aside an equally interesting storyline: Adams journey coming to terms with his Korean heritage. Yet this doesnt diminish the productions overall entertainment value. Director Brandon Ivie couldnt have put together a stronger cast, whose voices are perfect for the energetic score. BRENT ARONOWITZ
July 23-26, 8 p.m.; July 28-Aug. 1, 8 p.m., 2010
