SOURCE: “Crix Hang ‘Assassins;’ B'way Out of Range?,” in Variety, February 4, 1991, p. 95.

In the following review, Evans explores the controversy surrounding the eligibility of Assassins to appear on Broadway, highlighting some of the overwhelmingly negative criticism.

Long before it opened, Assassins, Stephen Sondheim's new musical, had sold out its nine-week run at the 129-seat Playwrights Horizons Theater. But mixed notices probably have nixed a Broadway extradition.

No decision has been made regarding the show's life beyond Horizons, though Assassins generated plenty of interest from producers. Sondheim told Variety that discussions about the next step would take place this week, and that RCA will record a cast album. The show is scheduled to close Feb. 16.

Most sources are dubious about the musical's potential for commercial success.

With music and lyrics by Sondheim, book by John Weidman and direction by Jerry Zaks, the offbeat Assassins tells the stories of nine...