Nathan Wise (DC) expressed some disappointment to the NY Times: “I was sorely disappointed to open this morning’s all-important Arts&Leisure section, only to find no review of the new musical, ‘The Big One-Oh’ (Linda Gross Theater, 336 W.20th St. in Chelsea, through Oct 20), which opened yesterday to thunderous audience approval. Based on DEAN PITCHFORD’s (DC) hilarious novel of the same name, ‘The Big One-Oh’ uses dynamic young performers, masterful puppetry, and the finest in creative Broadway orchestration, singing, staging, choreography, and lighting to follow a youngster’s quest to celebrate his tenth birthday with fitting decorum — all within an intimate theatre setting yet with every bit [of] the energy and excitement of grander staging coups such as ‘Annie’ and ‘The Lion King.’ Created for audiences of ALL ages, the crowd at the opening including Broadway luminary Stephen Schwartz (‘Wicked,’ ‘Godspell,’ and ‘Pippin’), who gave ‘The Big One-Oh’ his unmitigated praise. The dismal days of Frank Rich’s poison pen at The Times may be over, but you still have the influential obligation (and the public’s ear) to do your homework and to report new, fresh, worthy talent which will soon inherit the historic mantle, lofty traditions, and world-renowned originality of Broadway, America’s gift to the world. Nathan M. Wise, Old Saybrook, Conn.”