Frank Rizzo, Hartford Courant (Connecticut)

March 22, 2014

The show: “These Paper Bullets!”, a Yale Repertory Theatre production at the University Theatre in New Haven.

What makes it special?: World premiere of Rolin Jones’ “modish rip-off of William Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing,’ ” with new songs by Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong.

First impressions?: Taking the Bard’s romantic comedy and setting it in London in the ’60s and centering on a wildly popular rock band (think Beatles) may sound like an audacious idea and, well, it is. But it somehow, improbably, delightfully works in what is the most playful, exuberant show of the season.

Rolin Jones’ witty, puckish mash-up of a script, Jackson Gay’s giddy direction, Armstrong’s terrific musical homage (and where do I get the record?), and the ever-buoyant cast of mods and rockers —- and did I mention the nifty costumes, sets, arrangements and a guest appearance by the Queen of England? It all adds up to the most fun I’ve had at the theater since —- the night, before when I reviewed another show brimming with sass and joy, “The Book of Mormon” at the Bushnell. What a way to welcome in spring. […continued]

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