BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY Reviews

[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.

[Liza's Headband]

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

I definitely don't dispute that. My point was that compared to tourists and families, it's a much more limited demographic. That's all. I don't doubt a fan base.. But it's a moot point if that fan base is not large enough to consistently purchase tickets to keep the show open. We'll just have to wait and see. Nonetheless, kudos to BRIDGES on the mixed-to-positive reviews.

[Kad]

Judging by its numbers, I can't see this lasting past the summer. I doubt its mixed-positive reviews will see a massive jump in box office numbers. It would have to net some awards to generate a lot of interest.

[goldenboy]

Yet I think these reviews are fantastic considering its really just a musical soap opera
with lush music and strong lead performances. If I were a producer on this, I'd be thrilled! I see these as very positive reviews. What happens at the box office remains to be seen.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Wall Street Journal is mixed to positive: http://stream.wsj.com/story/latest-headlines/SS-2-63399/SS-2-461881/

The Record is positive: http://www.northjersey.com/arts_entertainment/theater/246480511_Theater_review___The_Bridges_of_Madison_County_.html?page=all

NY1 is positive: http://www.ny1.com/content/lifestyles/theater_reviews/204000/ny1-theater-review---the-bridges-of-madison-county-

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Wow, that Brantley review really comes off extremely, extremely positively. An ending sentence talking about how the audience “can get lost in ecstasy” is a pretty great note to leave off on.

Yes, if you give close attention to every point he makes in the review he does pick out quite a few missteps of the production, but I get the feeling that casual readers who are looking for a general recommendation or not will read this review as enough of a rave for the lead that the show is worth seeing.

It will be interesting to see how the grosses develop as we approach the summer. I don’t think this will ever get to a point of being a huge seller, but I could see it holding steady for a little while.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Time Magazine is positive, though he gives the ending way in the first paragraph: http://entertainment.time.com/2014/02/21/bridges-of-madison-county-musical-broadway/

NJ Newsroom is positive: http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/movies/the-bridges-of-madison-county-broadway-review-romance-in-the-heartland

[Steve721]

O'Hara has pretty much gotten raves across the board. I would think that while she's in it, the producers should be able to at least fill enough seats to avoid closing. And the show should also get several Tony noms--musical (probably, depending upon how the competition stacks up), score, leading actress, leading actor (probably), orchestration (iffy), direction (very iffy), lighting design, and sound design--which will help.

[bwayphreak234]

I could see this taking an upswing a la Gentleman's Guide in terms of grosses.

[ARTc3]

I hope so... There is a lot going for The Bridges of Madison County. Its source material is very popular with one of the largest Broadway demographics - middle aged women. With these reviews, I think it just might find its audience.

[TheatreKid3]

They have completely redesigned all the marketing for the show, so there's that. It's predominately navy now. I kind of miss the orange.

[Sutton Ross]

I agree Art, the majority of people who buy tickets are middle aged women from out of town, so I think it's going to be successful. It's really beautiful and I hope thousands of people enjoy the hell out of it.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Being "successful" and having a decent run are two completely different things, though. I think it'll have an okay run, but I highly doubt it will be successful, in terms of making a profit. That only really happens to shows with brand names, big stars, or feverishly hot word of mouth/reviews anymore. I wish them the best though. It's a lovely show and these are, overall, a very respectable batch of notices. I hope to see it again soon.

[Bettyboy72]

This sounds a lot like "Far From Heaven"-pretty, perfectly sung banal music. Grey Gardens was an amazing show, gorgeous score, two Tony winning performances and couldnt find an audience. I dont see this show lasting.

[ljay889]

Although unsuccessful, Grey Gardens managed to stay afloat for 8 months. Hopefully BRIDGES can make it until Tony time, as O'Hara likely has a great chance of winning.

[bwayphreak234]

I can easily see this making it to Tony time. Its running costs are probably fairly low, and with these reviews I would expect to see a slight bump in grosses.

[ARTc3]

Bettyboy72, did you see, The Bridges of Madison County? Everyone is entitled to their opinion and some here have commented that they didn't like the music, but most people - including the critics - loved the score. Of course, if you've seen the show, you are more than entitled to think the music "banal", and I would respect your opinion, but if you didn't you might find yourself surprised by how gorgeous the music is. Personally, I thought the music anything but "banal".

[Sutton Ross]

I sincerely don't think BettyBoy saw Bridges, considering they said "this sounds like Far From Heaven". It's nothing like that. The music is amazing, and unless you have seen it and listened to the score, can't really comment on it. It really is great, though.

[ljay889]

Have they actually recorded a cast recording yet? Or are those full tracks coming from a demo/promo recording?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

I'm pretty sure they're from a demo recording. They're beautiful though, I can't stop listening. This is one cast album I can't wait for.

[Broadway Joe]

I saw this tonight and couldn't wait to get out of the theatre. I didn't care for the lyrics of the songs or the way the majority of them were sung. I was just completely bored. I don't check reviews until after I see a show and was surprised to not see more bad reviews of this one.

The female neighbor was the best part of the show.

[loliveve]

ljay- the cast recorded the music on Dec. 27th, and the album is to be released by Sh-K-Boom Records. The date is TBA.


Cast recording announcement

[LimelightMike]

So, I *FINALLY* saw the show last night.
For those wondering, I ended up booking B-2.
THOROUGHLY enraptured the entire evening!
=)

[ModernMillie3]

So, the session in December was just a few demos. They are recording it this Monday!


http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/02-2014/the-bridges-of-madison-county-to-record-two-disc-c_67688.html?cid=article-flyover

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Stage Grade gives it a median grade of A-, which seems a bit generous, but whatever: http://stagegrade.com/productions/1374

[Mr Roxy]

Playbill website says it will be 2 CD'S. I assume besides dialog a lot of cut material should be on it (maybe including some of the demos)