Robert Pigott
80, Retired Adman
I haven�t missed a Sondheim, ever. It reminded me of Anna and the King of Siam�the same sort of magic.

Mary Petnel
46, Executive Recruiter
I�m pleasantly surprised, because the original was not my favorite. I think it was before its time, and I think its time has come.

Stephen Abrams
73, Retired Engineer
It very much followed what was my understanding of the history. And, for once, the singing was very good.

Maxine Rapport
58, Supervisor, NYU School of Education
It was inconsistent. We got the message, but there needed to be a poignancy, some total purpose, that I thought was missing.

Kera Halbersleben
19, Theater Student
The Times review was a crime. I just don�t see how you can walk out and not be terribly moved. Maybe they don�t understand Kabuki.

Photographed by Sara Cardace for New York Magazine.