Critical Reaction

"Tuneful and sweet-tempered."
– The New York Times

"This collection of three mini-musicals is more than just a solid triple-play: It's a grand-slam success... [that] triumphs by being itself and by allowing its stars to do what they made their names on. What a concept. And what a wonderful show."
– Talkin' Broadway

"There's a versatility and command of tone and theme on display that identify the composer-lyricist team as master craftsmen."
– Variety

"A cute, quirky spoof about male-female relations, jealousy and power, and the celebrity culture of Hollywood. [Contains...] a light comic touch that lets us laugh and take the show seriously at the same time."
– The Komisar Scoop

"[Bock and Harnick] have connected the stories with their enchanting songs."
– New York Theatre Guide

"Has ample charm to sustain it for two hours."
– USA Today

"Generates more than its share of smiles. ...The wide variety of material affords a chance to add some adventurous new angles."
– The New York Sun

"To give you your steep money's worth, a triple bill is needed, and it is hard to make three separate entities cohere in an emotionally satisfying way. That is why The Apple Tree, with book, lyrics and music by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, is such a felicitous exception. ...The fine songs, undeservedly little-known, are made even more appealing by coming to us not as shopworn oldies but as stunning surprises. ...If you haven't yet added the team of Bock and Harnick to the partnership pantheon of Lerner & Loewe, Rodgers & either Hart or Hammerstein, and George & Ira Gershwin, now is the time to do so."
– Bloomberg