When Robert Byrne's novel Memories of a Non-Jewish Childhood was published
in hardcover in 1970, critics across the country gave it an enthusiastic reception:
"A fine blend... both funny and appealing."
--The New York Times
"Outrageously funny..." --St.
Louis Post-Dispatch
"Crisply written, ribald and riotous, tough and tender." --Seattle Times
"…try it if you want to be exorcised with laughter." --Catholic World
"If you are a Catholic, a Protestant, a boy or a girl, get ready to laugh." --Des Moines Register
"It is raucous and uninhibited... Oh,
it is just great! --Sacramento Bee
The Grand Opera House in Dubuque,
Iowa, staged the world premiere in February and March of 2005. The eight performances were seen by more than 5,000 people and the last three shows were sellouts.
"Musical does justice to Byrne's hilarious book... great acting brings the
story to life."
--Dubuque Telegraph Herald
"Tommy is mischievous, goodhearted (and) always endangering his immortal soul
through a variety of hilarious misdemeanors... The scene in the confessional...brings the house down."
--Columnist Rebecca Christian
"This is a musical about an especially eventful day in the life of a not-so-innocent eighth grader at St. James the
Lesser Catholic school during the 1940s. ...(It) is funny/sad/poignant
and as nostalgic as boogie-woogie. It's set in Dubuque, but it could be anywhere...(and) it would go over big here."
--Bill Wundram in The Quad-City
Times
"Staging a world premiere has its risks, but we knew we had a hit on our hands with
this one when we heard the music, the lyrics, the laughter, and the applause. Our income topped expenses by more
than fifty percent. It's a funny show and the audiences loved it."
--Rich Hall, Manager, The Grand Opera House
