There is no law against saying something in a musical, but it's unconstitutional to omit imagination and wit. In an attempt to be meaningful, "Anyone Can Whistle" forgets to offer much entertainment.

Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim, the authors,… have aimed for originality, and for that one respects them. Their trouble is that they have taken an idea with possibilities and have pounded it into a pulp.

Mr. Laurents's book lacks the fantasy that would make the idea work, and his staging has not improved matters. Mr. Sondheim has written several pleasing songs but not enough of them to give the musical wings.

Howard Taubman, "The Theater: 'Anyone Can Whistle'," in The New York Times, April 6, 1964, p. 36.