Genre: Musical
Written by: Sunny Dahlia Turner. Music and lyrics by Robert Rokicki
Directed by: Adam Levi
Performed by: Jennifer Allen, Nick Gabriel, Kimberly Mahon, Eric Millegan, Bobbi Owens, Edward Prostak, Ryland Shelton, Larry Swansen and Ernest William, Jr.
Running time: Two hours
Web site: marthaandmemusical.com

Given the fact that there are musicals about Eva Peron, Jesus Christ and the Wicked Witch of the West, it seems inevitable that there would be one about Martha Stewart. In Martha & Me, Stewart isn't a character, but rather a deity worshipped by Betsey Parsait, a neurotic perfectionist who's determined to make the best Thanksgiving dinner ever. But not even Martha's mashed potatoes can save this holiday meal. The turkey is frozen ("Do you know how hard it is to work with substandard meats?"), Betsey's son announces he's leaving school and moving to Iowa, and the guests bring canned cranberry sauce. Thankfully, the show turns out better than the meal, but it's still not Martha worthy. Although the songs are good and often hilarious, the production has no musical identity. There are snippets of Into the Woods, Little Shop of Horrors and, most obviously, Gypsy. The lyricist also seems to have borrowed a few shockingly bad rhymes from Rent. The cast—made up of Broadway veterans and hopefuls—is the highlight of the show. In particular, Jennifer Allen, with her rich, booming voice and superb comic timing, is wonderful as Betsey. Martha would definitely approve.—Ellen Carpenter

• Where: Linhart Theater at 440 Studios
• When: Sat, Aug 14 at 8:45p.m.; Wed, Aug 18 at 3 p.m.: Sat, Aug 21 at 6:15 p.m.; Sat, Aug 28 at 2:45 p.m.; Sun, Aug 29 at noon.