"It's a delightful jukebox extravaganza certain to have you on your feet by the end of the show...'I Like It Like That' suffers from many of the same flaws seen in other musicals that attempt to shoehorn a parade of hits into a manufactured plot: The exposition is clunky, with no plot line getting truly adequate attention...But honestly, the music is so much fun and the singing so impressive, it's easy to forgive a touch-and-go plot...The band sounds excellent, as does everyone in the cast."
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"Audiences at jukebox musicals can be remarkably forgiving; mostly they just want to hear the songs they know and love. So it is with 'I Like It Like That'...The songs are delivered with brio by an an excellent band and the cast...It's hard not to feel that a fine opportunity has been squandered; what would it take to put together a cogent musical celebration with story lines that really went somewhere?...In any case, I suspect that this show will entertain everyone in its target audience."
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"Maldonado and Jáquez have crafted a flavorful and sturdy scenario that, though hackneyed, is emotionally involving. Most importantly, they’ve created a framework for the performance of over 30 salsa songs...The combination of Jáquez’s solid direction and lively choreography yields a fast-paced and vibrant presentation...Despite its formulaic story, 'I Like It Like That' is quite exhilarating with its sensational salsa renditions as performed by its appealing cast and excellent band."
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"A lively musical about the '70s that's a true feast of salsa packed with exhilarating fun and the people’s genuine love for El Barrio...A simple, moving story set against a complex historical background...'I Like It Like That' has much to offer in diversifying New York's musical theatre scene. The show captures the sweet and sorrowful essence of its characters, and is also a joyous time capsule."
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"It’s been a long time since I saw an audience enjoy itself at a show as much as...‘I Like it Like That,’ a sketchily written, broadly acted, but rousingly joyful, jukebox musical...‘I Like it Like That’ is often clumsy...and the attempts at social relevance are more nostalgic than documentarian, but none of this matters very much. I liked it like that, and so, I’m sure, will you."
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"The score is infectious with a vocal powerhouse of a cast. Each one sings better than the next....The show has numbers by Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri and Rubén Blades, but adds in original music...This is where the show does’t exactly succeed...The book is flimsy and the choreography energetic but simplistic...This is the problem with most jukebox musicals. The story is suited to add the numbers...However what we do get is the sense of family and love of where they come from."
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"The plot is thin. So are the characters. But it's an experience to witness the participatory reactions from the audience...The truth is 'I Like It Like That' pulls the wool over their eyes. If you truly dissect this show, it's sadly not a good theatrical product...In reality, it's a thin book musical with a little jukebox thrown in...It’s the energy of the music that brings this show together. If you’re looking for a strong musical, this is not it. If you want to have fun, you’ll like this."
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"It doesn’t take long to fall in love with 'I Like It Like That'...The characters are rich. They feel familiar fast...The power of music is on display. The music of great Latin artists like Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, and many others, keeps the plot moving and the audience singing...It’s a fun party, one-part drama and many parts comedy. Not just a little bit funny, but several belly laughs. 'I Like It Like That' entertains on every level...You’ll leave feeling uplifted, and singing."
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