It is hysterical watching all the naysayers scramble to find excuses why this show will still fail as all these great reviews roll in.....and people going so far as to say Brantley was paid off to write a good review need psychological assistance.
The review from Brantley seems fairly favorable. He likes the score better than the book, and he likes the first act better than the second, but he has very nice things to say about everything else. That's the most competent review I've read from him in a while.
I am so happy to all those involved for these great reviews - having followed this show since Chicago's invited dress. I have always thought that this show, while very flawed, has a lot of heart. More importantly, Jerry Mitchell knows how to create showstoppers, and he does just that at just the right times to great effect, as evident when I saw this again in NY to a largely tourist audience that LOVED it. Several of the reviews say, "yes there are so many things off but, why fight it. . . " and I think that is the key to this show's success. The average theatre goer will have a great time. Here's to a long run.
"Observe how bravely I conceal this dreadful dreadful shame I feel."
I think this show will win the Tony for best musical. It was amazing.
"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one".
-Felicia Finley-
I cannot believe the number of people on this board who were chomping at the bit waiting to read negative reviews for this show so they could justify their disdain for it.
This mock disbelief and catty comments like: "Who paid him to write that" are disturbing, as if your negative opinions were the only ones that mattered.
This was my favorite show that I saw last week during my trip to NY, so I'm thrilled with the largely positive reviews! I haven't been able to get the songs out of my head! I definitely think it's between this and MATILDA for Best Musical. Congrats to the cast and crew of KINKY BOOTS!!! Here's to a healthy run on Broadway!
I have no "disdain" for this show, on the contrary, I really wanted it to succeed, and I would certainly champion it over most of the big, bland, family-type shows. But it should have been better; the leads were not strong enough to overcome the weak book and songs; even Brantley commented on how the finale was the same HAIRSPRAY number (and yeah, I liked it again too).
As someone who deals with the public, I am at a loss this season. I recommend and buy a great many theatre tickets for out-of-towners, and I don't know what to recommend. Yes, the preview audience certainly liked KB, but will the average out-of-town theatergoer feel the same? MATILDA has already peaked with my buyers, but if it gets raves, I suppose it will be the most-requested show. It's just tough to recommend shows that I know aren't that good, and then to apologize to people for sending them to shows that I don't even like.
Why is it so hard to understand why someone would send others to a show he doesn't personally like? Perhaps he can understand that not everyone has the same taste he has? Isn't that just logical?
On the simplest level, if he's getting tickets for a bunch of 12 year olds, it is extremely likely he'll find a show that they'd like a whole lot more than he does.
Not unlike restaurants. I happen to hate Carmine's, but if a fairly large group of high schoolers were looking for a place before theatre, I can't think of a better place to send them.
I hae been chomping at the bit to see this since it was in Chicago! It's always been a favorite movie of mine and this show just looks so damn fun! Personally, of all the much hyped aboout shows opening this season this is the one I have most been looking forward to seeing! May 4 get here now!
I am so glad for the positive reviews. I saw it first week of previews and found it highly entertaining--more so than Matilda. I already have tickets to see it again later this month.
Congrats to the cast & crew on the positive reviews!
I am a bit surprised by the Chris Jones review, in respect to this quote:
“Much crucial work has been done since the Chicago tryout, successful as it was. Most important, the world of the show is now far more consistent and truthful, with prior campy excesses tamed, most contrivances softened and various inauthentic elements shorn (or at least made more credibly British).”
I saw the show in Chicago and, from most reviews on here and everything that I have heard, not much seems to have been changed from the Chicago run, so I was surprised to read this from Chris Jones. I thought his review of the Chicago tryout was really well written and, quite specifically, detailed what he felt should be done to improve the show. So, it’s odd to me that he seems to gloss over and generalize how it has improved. I would love to know what was done to the show to make him feel like it’s more consistent and truthful (especially as I haven’t heard of almost any changes). That was my biggest issue with the show when I saw it (other than Porter, which I seem to be in the minority disliking his performance) - all fluff and no depth or truthfulness. Which would be completely fine, except it was clear that this show wanted to say something more. I would love to know how (if) things were reworked to remedy that problem (as Chris Jones clearly feels like it has been).
Anyone who saw it both in Chicago and NYC have any insight to this?
Did anyone here see the Chicago out of town preview and again see previews in New York. Chris Jone's review hints they improved it but didn't give many specifics.
I don't want to spend money on this again if the more problematic moments (Charlie's sudden nastiness, the ludicrousness of the Paris fashion show, among other Act 2 descents into stupidity). I was worried when in Chicago I heard they threw out one of the better numbers (Charlie's Superhero song) when there were SO MANY worse songs to kick to the curb. Yet I liked enough of the show to be curious if it truly has improved...
"Hollis (@hollisst) 4/5/13, 2:34 AM The LA Times can kneel down, open its online mouth & suck my ****ing cock. A critic in need of a serious snogging. #PointsIfUGetTheReference"