BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY Reviews

[After Eight]

"Better than I feared they might be,"

If the show is as wonderful, and the score as glorious as people here have been telling us (repeatedly), what was there to fear?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

I'm assuming After Eight has still blocked me, but whatever. You're the one who's said multiple times that the critics are part of some big conspiracy to praise trash and trash good shows, so your comment doesn't fall in line with the ridiculous accusations you've made before.

[bstoll1]

I did not realize how important Brantley's reviews were.

I came across this sight which I found very usual. If anything it seems Brantley is usually "on the dense" with his reviews.

http://www.didhelikeit.com/shows/the-bridges-of-madison-county-reviews.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The_New_York_Times_Review_of_The_Bridges_of_Madison_County

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

It's worth noting, again, that that site is not affiliated with Brantley or The NY Times at all. So their classifications for his reviews are highly subjective.

[Mr Roxy]

To After 8

Critics have been known to be wrong too many times to count.

[tazber]

Also want to thank you WiCkED for posting all these along with the bolded assessment.

I look forward to those in every review thread.

[jayinchelsea]

After Eight, because I've been following the show since Williamstown, and no, it's not perfect, but the beauty of the performances and the score made me want the show to succeed, despite some problems with the book. If, imo, mediocre shows like ONCE and BEAUTIFUL can be so successful, then BRIDGES, which I think is better than either of those, should have a good long run.

[qolbinau]

Is the show boring? That's the worst thing a show can be to me. Still haven't decided whether to see this. I only have two slots left.

[Liza's Headband]

Mixed to Positive reviews can't help a show that isn't commercially appealing. I just don't see an audience for this show. After the first couple of months, I see it falling... hard and fast.

[Sutton Ross]

"How can After Eight see my threads if he's said he's blocked me? "

I often wonder that about Liza's Dirty Ass Headband (what up girl?). It's such a mystery unless of course, they never blocked us in the first place. Ha! Those crazies are always funny.

The show isn't boring and unless you've seen it, you can't predict a thing about the audience or about it failing HARD AND FAST in a few months. Go see it, and enjoy the beautiful score and the lovely story. Thank you Wicked for posting all these reviews! :)

[RippedMan]

A friend said it "dragged," but when I saw it I was mesmerized. Song after beautiful song happened, and I got wrapped up in the love story. I thought it was great. I highly recommend it.

I don't think the production is that great, and I think Sher misses the mark, but that said I still think it's pretty great.

[Liza's Headband]

I invite anyone who claims to be so in love with this musical to tell me what audience this will appeal to over the long run (there are only so many middle aged housewives) and how it can become commercially viable...

[dented146]

Unfortunately I think Headband is correct. Some shows start out with wider appeal than others. Rave reviews, such as the ones for Gentleman's Guide can really kick start a nice little musical and then word of mouth takes over.

I haven't seen Bridges. I look forward to hearing the score. But there is little in these reviews which would drive me to the theater. On the other hand, the score for Rocky has been described by most as mediocre yet I am fascinated to see the show on my next trip to NYC regardless of the reviews.

[trpguyy]

"and how it can become commercially viable..."

it helps that it's one of the least expensive musicals I've seen on a Broadway stage

[oasisjeff]

"it helps that it's one of the least expensive musicals I've seen on a Broadway stage"

Nothing attracts an audience more than a production that was smart about budgeting its money and didn't put it all onstage.

[trpguyy]

Not at all my point. They don't have to sell out (or even necessarily "well") to maintain their nut, which is half of the "commercially viable" equation.

[tazber]

Don't underestimate the fan base nor the appeal of a romantic musical.

There certainly have been harder sells that have been very successful.

[Rob120]

@Liza's Headband. Keep in mind that middle aged housewives are the key demographic that buys full priced theatre tickets. Just sayin'

[After Eight]

"Is the show boring?"

Fairly. The music certainly is. If there are more attractive options open to you, I'd say go with those.

[After Eight]

""How can After Eight see my threads if he's said he's blocked me?

This comment was cited --- for what reason I have no idea, nor do I want to --in a post above by Sutton Ross, whom I have not blocked--- at least not yet.

It appears people are having a conversation about me behind my back. Not nice. But then, the people I've blocked are anything but nice. That's why I blocked them. In any case, to answer the blockee's query, the answer to which is obvious to anyone with a smidgen of grey matter, I can't. And happily.

[best12bars]

I'm just glad it isn't yet another kiddie musical, thinly disguised as family entertainment.

That's something to be grateful for, these days, on Broadway. A little variety even if it's not perfect.

[Stevie72]

I do not see this getting TONY nominated when After Midnight and Gentleman's Guide getting better reviews

[Kad]

Reviews do not equal nominations. The critics don't nominate the shows.

[tazber]

It's far too early to predict whether it will get a nomination or not.

I'm inclined to think it will, but there are still 4 major musicals left to open.

And I'm not counting Violet because I'm not sure if it's going to be considered a revival. If not, then 5.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

The following new musicals left to open:
*Rocky
*Aladdin
*If/Then
*Bullets Over Broadway

Revivals:
*Les Miserables
*Violet
*Hedwig & the Angry Inch
*Cabaret

[Patash]

"Critics have been known to be wrong too many times to count."

I'm not sure what this means exactly. Do you mean when a critic says something like "this will run for years" and it closes in a few months? Yes, then he'd have been wrong, but generally critics are giving their opinions of the show itself and there is no "right" or "wrong" with any of that. When a critic dislikes a show and many people love it, that still doesn't mean the critic is "wrong" in his opinion -- his opinion is simply different.