Review Roundup: DONNY & MARIE- A BROADWAY CHRISTMAS

By: Dec. 14, 2010
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Donny & Marie - A Broadway Christmas, a new holiday production starring America's favorite sibling entertainers, has extended for two performances, now ending on January 2, 2010. The production had been once extended through December 30, 2010.  Productions on December 31 and January 2nd have now been added due to demand.  

In the holiday tradition of the "Osmond Family Christmas" television specials, Donny & Marie invite you and your family to join them to celebrate the joy of the season in true Osmond fashion, in person, as the pair share a Broadway stage for the first time. With their trademark show-stopping Christmas production numbers, Donny & Marie - A Broadway Christmas features your favorite hits mixed with the irresistible chemistry that made them international stars. Donny & Marie - A Broadway Christmas is produced by Greg Young, Jon B. Platt and Magic Arts & Entertainment in association with Eric Gardner and Greg Sperry.

Charles Isherwood, NY Times: Although they were never the most distinctive entertainers, the Osmonds are skilled, old-fashioned troupers who have managed to capitalize on their early fame without overtaxing their talents or despoiling them. This in itself is impressive. And despite the snazzy set and the sequins and the screaming guitar riffs, Mr. and Ms. Osmond exude a cozy warmth that never feels forced or artificial. Like it or not, they still seem wholesome to the core.

Matt Windman, amNY: Simply put, this is a show meant mainly for those who miss watching the "Osmond Family Christmas" television specials. Who needs The Rockettes when you can have both country and rock 'n' roll?

Mark Kennedy, Associated Press: Donny and Marie try frantically to show off their musical range. They toothily get down to "Dancing in the Street" and "Rock This Town," sing along with their younger selves by way of video screens to moldy hits such as "Puppy Love" and "Paper Roses," belt out show tunes from their previous stage work, relive each of their triumphs on "Dancing With the Stars" and joke around on stools in a canned routine that might make your head hurt. This is a show with sparkles, dimples and impressive dental work.

Michael Sommers, NJ Newsroom: In spite of its title, there's really not much Broadway and surprisingly even less Christmas material in their show, but for sure there's plenty of Donny and Marie.

David Rooney, Reuters: I'm confessing nothing, but don't be surprised if you find yourself singing along to "Leaving It All Up to You" and scurrying to YouTube to binge on vintage Donny & Marie clips.

Elisabeth Vincentelli, NY Post: No matter: The siblings' holiday concert at the Marquis delivers everything you'd expect, and does it at breakneck speed. From their 1970s hits to their TV specials and talk shows down to their "Dancing With the Stars" appearances, "A Broadway Christmas" is a frenzied crash course in five decades of family-friendly entertainment.

Joe Dziemianowicz, NY Daily News: Having worked together for more than 45 years, Donny and Marie have an appealing chemistry that makes you feel at home - laughing with them and even sometimes at them. What more could you ask of your holiday hosts?

Philip Boroff, Bloomberg News: Although the nine-piece band is too loud, the musical selections go down easy. There are Christmas songs, Osmond past hits ("Puppy Love," "A Little Bit Country, a Little Bit Rock 'n Roll"), a silly Broadway medley and oldies that lend themselves to big numbers, such as "Dance to the Music," and "Dancing in the Streets."


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