David Taffet

And while I say this is a show without special effects, the snow was enchanting. And how was the cast ice skating on a wooden stage? That was magic enough for me. The humor’s in the music as well as the props and performances. Yes, a mailbox is funny. So is a tuba. Marcus Phillips plays it terribly with perfection.

My disappointment in the show has to do with the story, not the cast. Nolan White, Travis Roy Rogers and Corbin Drew Ross as the Curtis brothers — Ponyboy, Sodapop and Darrell — and Emma Hearn as Cherry all had chemistry and wonderful voices. And shout out to Luke Sabracos, who we interviewed for the Oct. 31 Dallas Voice. The music by Jamestown Revival and Justin Levine ranges from memorable to annoying. If you’re a fan of the book or the film, you’ll probably love the show. The audience on Wednesday’s media night did.

This Tony Award winning show is worth seeing for the compelling story. But it’s a don’t miss for the special effects. I’m still trying to figure out how they did some of what they did on that stage last night. Oh, and a must-see for Taha’s incredible performance.

The effects in the show are breathtaking. When the DeLorean first appears, it spins onto the stage out of nowhere. Since the car can’t race across the stage — or even really move much — to create the illusion of speed, everything else moves.

I rated the show as a middling musical but by the cheers and whoops from others in the theater, the audience had a great time.