West-coast premiere director Bill English describes the music as "odd," with pieces ending in the middles of phrases.

[7] The original production's cast was similarly unconventional, with 55-year-old Jayne Houdyshell as nine-year-old Coraline and librettist David Greenspan as the Other Mother.

[5] The West Coast premiere of Coraline played from November 16, 2010 to January 15, 2011 in San Francisco, produced by The SF Playhouse.

[10] MCC Theater[2] San Francisco Playhouse[8] Edmonton Fringe[10] City Lit Theater[9] Francis Jue, January LaVoy, Elliot Vallar, William Youmans Suso Damilano, Jackson Davis, Maureen McVerry, Brian Degan Scott Rebecca Merkley, Darcy Robinson, Adam Sanders Jennifer T. Grubb, Caitlin Jackson, Justin Kimrey Many critics found the show lacked suspense and affect.

Robert Hurwitt wrote in the San Francisco Chronicle, "Greenspan's make-believe approach undercuts the tale's suspense.

"[12] Kerry Reid wrote in the Chicago Tribune, "There needs to be a greater sense of clammy danger... as the shadows fall over the world...

Noting the strength of Gaiman's novel, Greenspan's inventive theatrical work, and Merritt's quirky, esoteric musicianship, David Rooney wrote in Variety, "Whether or not the musical-theater crowd warms to this wildly unconventional piece, it succeeds fully in harnessing the essence of three distinctive talents.