Free-the-Music.com is a musical that captures the post-Rent pulse and can-do attitude of post-X teen America.

On January 13, 2001, over three dozen student critics in the "Cappies" program (www.cappies.com) reviewed a workshop performance at Osbourn Park High School in Manassas, Virginia. Two student-written reviews were published in The Washington Post. Matt Berger's review described it as "more fun than a barrel of chads (with) all the elements of a promising show: a wide range of songs, memorable characters and an entertaining plot (that) keeps the audience laughing. It's like, really cool." Mike Moser's review praised the show as "an astonishing piece about high school students wanting to get involved in national politics," "a wonderful integration of hip-hop computer jargon," and "an upbeat show unique in all respects (that) keeps your feet tapping and your mind spinning with witty lyrics." Other Cappies critics offered the following comments:

• A riveting wonder…
  — Zach Scott, Hayfield Secondary School

• Few plays depict a positive image of teenagers. This one is an exception,… illustrating the themes of honesty and idealism well and influencing the audience to want to go out and change the world.
  — Katy Hershberger, Park View High School

• As modernistic as the lingo we speak and the clothes we wear.
  — Tracey Vaccarella, Hayfield Secondary School

• Hilarious…. A colorful, energetic, and enjoyable show….
  — Katie Carmichael, West Potomac High School

• A musical that promotes teenagers instead of painting them as tyrants.
  — Crystal Munson, Chantilly High School

• The finest of high school theater….
  — Kitt Anderson, Hayfield Secondary School

• An energetic patriotic play that captures the modern age of the speedy internet…. with witty comments and hysterical one liners…. a fun, colorful musical, full of vibrant numbers.
  — Lena Hull, George Mason High School

• A new look at today's next generation, a tale of clashing generations, technologies and ideals.
  — Justin Merrick, Duke Ellington School of the Arts

• A tribute to what teenagers can do when you least expect it. After all, it is not every day that one can be so splendidly surprised.
  — Mina Karimi, St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School

• Funny and fun.
  — Laura Sauls, St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School

• An accurate depiction of the technologically advanced today's teen….
  — Katie Eatinger, Centreville High School

• A new message, that not all teenagers are just sitting on their behinds, that there are teenagers who really stand up for their beliefs….
  — Kathy Acosta, Duke Ellington School of the Arts

• An uplifting and often amusing look at teenagers in the world of technology and politics….
  — Elise Amacker, Woodson High School

• A rip-roaring comedy that will have you logging on for more.
  — Katie Eatinger, Centreville High School

• New goals and hopes for the technological future…. showing that if you try hard enough you can really achieve what you want. After all, "...if they can do that, and that, and that, we can do this."
  — Katie Franger, West Potomac High School

• A fantastic evening of song and dance.…. hilarious….
  — Cieran Rockwell, George Mason High School

• With tango, swing, and step, the show mesmerizes the audience with each number….
  — Mina Karimi, St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School

• If you like a good long laugh and good music, stop and go see this…
  — Jennifer Cooney, George Mason High School

• A variety of music with something for everyone, from rap to country to a "Power Triangle Tango!"…
  — Emilie Sutterlin, Thomas Jefferson High School

• Everything is novel and new…. Innovation and creativity surround many of the musical numbers. They ring a familiar tune as the voice of a new generation….
  — Tracey Vaccarella, Hayfield Secondary School

• One of the most exciting things about this musical is how it appeals to all types of people because it incorporates many different genres of music. From the soul version of "We Can Do This" to the 1930's-styled "Alpha Male" and "Couch Potato," a hoe-down country piece, the audience can relate to the music….
  — Stacey McKoy, Herndon High School

• Questionable technology, delicious scandal, hilarious combat, a heck of a lot of politics.… Throw in some teenage clichés and a huge generation gap, and what do you get? The story of the 21st century, yes, but also a magnificently entertaining musical…. The generation gap is an issue to which everyone can relate….
  — Nina Walter, Westfield High School

• Politics at its best, with little twists and turns to keep you guessing.
  — Loren Charde Bray, Duke Ellington School

• Every so often a musical comes along and perfectly captures the wrongs and rights of American culture. This is one such musical….
  — James Anderson, Park View High School

• A poignant musical…. An absolute gem, because the characters are original….
  — Mina Karimi, St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School

• It displays everything today's society is about -- from hardworking students and honest teachers all the way down to mendacious lobbyists….
  — Julia Shebalkin, Woodson High School

• Few plays shed a good light on teenagers, but this one does.
  — Erin Anderson, Park View High School

• A new musical that anyone who has ever picked up a newspaper and glanced at the news would enjoy.
  — Jessica Menter, W.T. Woodson High School

• Anyone who declares that scandal and politicians are not entertaining is a good enough liar to be one.
  — Nina Walter, Westfield High School

• A modern, down-to-earth musical…. A zestful look at politics and conflicts between teenagers and adults….
  — Raul Bilecky, Duke Ellington School of the Arts

• Sure to bring out the patriot in everyone…a musical full of characters who believe strongly in what they are fighting for.
  — Emily Hawe, St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School

• A dash of modern technology, a pinch of currentevents and a full cup of attitude….
  — Leila M. Kalil, Hayfield Secondary School

• A show that breathes new life into the world of political satire and maybe even politics itself.
  — Cieran Rockwell, George Mason High School

• A remarkable show by the co-founder of the Capitol Steps.…
  — Crystal Munson, Chantilly High School

• What an evening!
  — Jessica Schmitt, Centreville High School

• An unexpected pleasure….
  — Michelle White, Park View High School

• Clever and witty.… I would definitely see it again.
  — Kathy Acosta, Duke Ellington School of the Arts

• Finally! A scandal in the Washington area that's worth watching!… A thoroughly enjoyable show.
  — Roxanne Paris, Chantilly High School

• Definitely worth checking out….
  — Kenny Hicks, Centreville High School

• A tale of clashing technologies and ideals…. enthralling plot, catchy numbers….
  — Jesse Robinson, West Potomac High School

• A musical for the new millennium….
  — Katy Hershberger, Park View High School

• A hard drive full of great sound bytes….
  — Autumn Brown, West Potomac High School

• This new musical is going to be a huge success.
  — Amelia Kallman, Chantilly High School