Washington area theater critics have given generally positive reviews to the world premiere musical A.D. 16, about a teenage Mary Magdalene who falls in love with the carpenter’s son next door. The creative team includes Bekah Brunstetter (book), Cinco Paul (story, music, lyrics), Stephen Brackett (direction), Katie Spelman (choreo), Christopher Youstra (music direction), Doug Besterman (orchestrations, music supervision), Walt Spangler (sets), Emilio Sosa (costumes), Colin K. Bills (lights), Matt Rowe (sound), and Anne Nesmith (wigs).
The cast features Phoenix Best (Mary) and Ben Fankhauser (Jesus) with Kelli Blackwell (Diana), Alan H. Green (Jacob), Jade Jones (Jessica), Jared Loftin (Nicholas), Calvin McCullough (Matthias), Adelina Mitchell (Ruth), Christian Montgomery (Bartimaeus), Da’von Moody (Simeon), and Chani Wereley (Esther). The shows continues at Olney (Md.) Theatre Center through March 6.
Broadway World (Pamela Roberts): A.D. 16 is a big, exuberant, ambitious musical that’s packed with talent. … That’s not to say this world premiere wouldn’t benefit from some tweaks as it continues to evolve — particularly in the final quarter of the production. But come see it now for its powerhouse performances, lush production values, and captivating songs. … At its core, A.D. 16 is the coming of age story of Mary Magdalene. The role is in the extraordinarily capable hands of Phoenix Best. … While A.D. 16 is propelled by great irreverent humor and snappy songs, there is a strong and tender heart at the center. … A.D. 16 is masterful. It is impressive. It is a delight.
DC Metro Theatre Arts (John Stoltenberg): In A.D. 16 — a magnificently entertaining new musical now playing at Olney Theatre Center — 16-year-old Mary of Magdala crushes on 16-year-old Jesus of Nazareth. … Jesus calls Mary on the self-interest in her “doing good just to be seen.” In that moment and in that scene, Mary sees (and so do we) that Jesus has now begun to speak of a love that transcends what she felt when she fell for him. And at that juncture … A.D. 16 as a musical turns into a stunning epiphany of the highest form of love. … Here the humor and the homily of the play become as one. And a beautifully profound new musical is born.
MD Theater Guide (Andrew White): What sets this show apart isn’t necessarily the skillful mixture of pop-music genres in the soundtrack, or even the performers, although they raise the rafters with one virtuoso turn after another. What struck me, and others, was the way Brunstetter and Paul are willing to skewer the hyper-righteousness of both the left and the right. … To be sure, this being a comic musical, all the potential gut-punches get pulled at the last minute, although there are misfortunes and missteps enough to leave us thinking. This will not only be a thrilling vehicle for a cluster of rising stars onstage, it will give you a lot to ponder long after the house lights come back up.
Talkin’ Broadway (Susan Berlin): Rather than satirizing religious principles, the authors use anachronism to offer a fresh perspective on stories people think they know. Brackett has marshaled a richly talented cast of actors with powerful voices, dancing ability, and overall presence. Best is an ideal Mary; Fankhauser is sweetly hangdog as a Jesus still learning what he’s capable of; Green gives a powerful performance as a father who tries to balance his love for his daughter with keeping her out of danger; and Da’Von T. Moody and Kelli Blackwell shine as the most outspoken of the lepers.