The series explores a story of a young woman has a strange ability in her life. The woman discovers she has the ability to hear the innermost thoughts of people around her. This ability will change her life, as she hear that as songs and musical numbers.
Strange and ambitious concept? Absolutely. But when it comes to executing what is essentially "X-Men" telepath Professor X trapped in the "Glee" classroom, "Zoey" hits most of the right notes.
Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist isn't in that league - but Austin Winsberg's show, like its characters, comes to life once the music element is introduced. That's never more true than when Zoey is alone with her father, Mitch.
There's hope for Zoey, especially with a cast this likable. But it also feels like I'm wish-casting based on what it represents versus what it is so far.
It's no surprise at all that the Suburgatory star is able to use her trademark sarcasm to cut through occasion treacle. More revelatory is how much she's able to add to the series' joy, especially in the show-stopping opening to the second episode
Light-hearted but not too whimsical, starring a heroine who solves low-stakes emotional puzzles with angsty pluck, and delivering entertaining musical numbers that supplement rather than dominate the story, [it] is certainly worth keeping on shuffle.
[Draws] from a reasonably familiar songbook, including Broadway's recent fondness for jukebox musicals. But for the most part, the series and its cast -- which appears to be having a lot of fun -- mostly hit the right notes.
