BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY Reviews

[iluvtheatertrash]

The show will be closed before Easter.

[LYLS3637]

^ Based on what factual information?

[oasisjeff]

"I have to say that the more of the other Broadway offerings I see this season, the more I LIKE Bridges."

This confuses me. I really enjoyed Bridges, but I don't change how much I liked it based on other shows I see.

It is the same show. I may like it more when I get the cast recording and give it additional listens, or if I saw it again before it closed too soon. But otherwise, I have a positive opinion of it, but the same positive opinion I had before attending subsequent shows.

Why make everything a competition? If my favorite show doesn't win a Tony, it will still be my favorite, so who cares?

[promisespromises2]

^ I think they were just stating how impressed they were with the show compared to their expectations from the other ones they have seen. Of course people are going to compare. You've never said "I liked this show better than that show"?

I'm really hoping to see this again if everyone's predictions are true. First I fall in love with Big Fish and it closes. Hopefully it won't happen with this one anytime soon!

[aasjb4ever]

I have it on very reliable sources that an announcement will be coming very soon.

[oasisjeff]

"You've never said "I liked this show better than that show"?"

If someone was trying to figure out what show to see, I might suggest one over another, or give them things to consider to help them decide. Or if you said, which do you like better, A or B, I'd likely reply with a preference.

But, I really don't try and think that way.

I saw Les Miz, Bridges, Gentleman's Guide and Cabaret on subsequent nights last week, and enjoyed them all. But they are all so different... why would I try to put them in some ranking order? I enjoyed Heathers last night, as well, so how would you rank Les Miz and Heathers against one another?! One had better melodies, but the other had a father singing about his dead gay son...

I don't make lists. I don't vote for Tonys. So, why rank them?

I don't even join in the tony nomination speculation thread on here for the same reason. I do realize I am the odd man out here, and I did cultivate this mindset intentionally.

[hanabana]

I hope any sources and rumors about this show closing are wrong... Saw this show last month and absolutely loved it. The score is beyond amazing, and the cast, I wouldn't even know where to begin, the cast is nothing short of marvelous! Kelli O'Hara and Steven Pasquale are stunning to see on stage, and I thought that their performances are among the best and most memorable ones I have seen in live theater. They took my breath away when they sang One Second and A Million Miles together, it was absolutely glorious. This show is simply beautiful, and it definitely stayed with me even after I saw it. I wish it can find its audience, it would be a true shame for people to miss this beautiful production.

[Sutton Ross]

Im so bummed out by the week's grosses. This show is so beautiful, the score is gorgeous and the performances are incredible and heartbreaking. I don't understand why people aren't seeing it. Do people really need shiny dance numbers and comedy all the time? Kinky Boots and Mormon come to mind. It doesn't explain how Once is still successful then. Here is a Groupon discount for April if anyone interested. Sigh.

http://www.groupon.com/deals/gl-the-bridges-of-madison-county-9

[valeposh]

I'm so worried now. I'm supposed to see the show the second week of April, either the 9th or the 12th. Soooo worried I won't make it in time.
Thanks for the groupon link!

[Sutton Ross]

You should be fine, Big Fish announced it was closing seven weeks before it actually did. They won't just announce it, and then have it close the same week.

[neonlightsxo]

Sutton, I think it's a problem with the marketing and advertising. Once is sold as a love story. They changed their strategy for Bridges a few weeks in and it's better, but it's not being sold as the romance that it is.

Once has that great tag line- His music needed one thing. Her. Bridges doesn't have that.

[barcelona20]

Winning the Tony award for Best Musical also really helped out Once. Given the critics reviews so far, BOMC is at the top, and if it could somehow win, then their entire fortune would change. Unfortunately it's many weeks away...

[valeposh]

Sutton Ross- thanks! You're right, when I saw Big Fish the news of the closing had been out for at least 3-4 weeks.
The groupon is for rows P–S of the side orchestra. Being Schoenfeld a small theater, I assume these are nice enough seats?

[avyrocks]

I've sat in Row P center before. It's a small theater. I've also sat in Row C center before. I'd much rather be closer to the stage since it is a pretty intimate show. Personally, I'd just buy a ticket closer to the stage off of Telecharge.

[oasisjeff]

I did seat B-1, which was great to take in the show up close and personal (and that seat often comes up with discount codes).

If you want to have SP enter and exit right past you, B-2 would be good. If you want to see a lot of Kelly, B-1 it is (I did not know that when I bought my ticket, heh).

[Sutton Ross]

valeposh, yes the theater is small and those are good seats. I sat front row and it was much too close for me. Sitting further away will give you a nice view of the stage. Everyone support this show!

[barcelona20]

Does Kelli go the full monty?

[oasisjeff]

Kindasorta

[barcelona20]

Wow in that case, why aren't they promoting that more!

[oasisjeff]

If you can't get people to pony up for a classy, beautiful show, they aren't going to show up just to see someone naked (unless it's a celebrity).

[Scarywarhol]

The problem is that the source material is such a punchline, such shorthand for harlequin trash, that a "highbrow" interpretation of it alienates that crowd, while the title alienates many seasoned theatre goers. The marketing certainly hasn't helped. It looks like it's a musical for nobody.

[thebeautyis3]

These rumors are very depressing to me. If the show does close before Easter, I have no way of getting to see it. Also, I assume that if the show closes that early, Kelli's Tony chances will be shot. It's a pity because she does such wonderful work, and I can't believe she hasn't won yet.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

I agree – I think the familiar title has actually been a hindrance to the show finding its audience. While many love the novel or movie, the idea of a musicalized version of what is already considered a sappy love story is not going to appeal to many. And, the originals commercials certainly didn’t help dissuade any preconceived notions of how the show would be. Which is a particular shame, because while the show is highly emotional and romantic, I actually found it quite intimate and naturalistic as opposed to the heightened melodrama I think many assume it will be going into it (I entered the theatre prepared for that and was blown away by what I actually got).

If they decide to keep the show open for a little longer (I certainly hope they will), I think their best bet, promo-wise, would be to show clips from the show itself to show how intimate and real – as opposed to melodramatic - it actually is.

I also don’t think “Bridges” closing means a for-sure loss for Kelli. Sure, it may lower her chances, but I wouldn’t say a win would be completely out of the question.

[Ftworthguy]

I saw it last week and it's haunting me. It's so beautiful and Kelli O'Hara is nothing short of perfection. I'm hoping that the show can hold out just a few short weeks for the Tony nominations. If it does well, perhaps the marketing will change and will attract more patrons. My guess is that if it doesn't win Best Musical or Best Actress, it will close right after the Tony awards, if it can last that long So sad, it's such a beautiful show.

[Sutton Ross]

I doubt it will be closed by Easter, they usually give plenty of warning before a show closes.

Maybe the soundtrack release will help sales?

A show closing before the Tonys have no bearing on the nominations. Laura Osnes was nominated for Bonnie and Clyde, which closed six months before the show.

[Liza's Headband]

"Soundtrack" release? I hope you meant Cast Recording, and the release of a Cast Recording doesn't boost ticket sales. The producers usually just end up losing more money because of it, although it eventually pays for itself in its licensing and subsidiary afterlife. Years and years later.

"I don't understand why people aren't seeing it."

I will gladly sound like a broken record and say it again: there are only so many middle aged housewives with money. It's a rather small demographic to cater to.