If/then Reviews

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 4:04pm

AMNY gives it 3 out of 4 stars

As one of the few new musicals not based on a familiar film or pop song catalog (or anything else for that matter), "If/Then" certainly is a breath of fresh air. And despite nagging issues with its overall concept and divided story lines, it is a smart, romantic piece with a well-crafted soft rock score and great performances all around.

http://www.amny.com/entertainment/theater-review-if-then-3-stars-1.7550787

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 04:04 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 4:16pm

I missed the earlier thread, sorry.

[EvanK]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 6:06pm

Well since this is the only thread with a review in it, let's go with this!!

Not the best review of a show in terms of the writing or depth, but a good start for If/Then

[Simon Damon]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 6:10pm

okay fair enough LOL

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 6:17pm

What are we expecting for this show? Positive to mixed? Haven't been keeping up with it during previews.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 6:21pm

I feel like every reaction to this show I've heard of has been respectable, but weirdly grey and tepid.

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 06:21 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 6:25pm

It will not matter until God posts his review.

[NewYorkTheater]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 6:27pm

Only one review so far (positive) but the link shows 12 production photographs
If/Then Reviews: Idina Menzel Returns to Broadway

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 6:28pm

"I feel like every reaction to this show I've heard of has been respectable, but weirdly grey and tepid."

Agreed. Everyone loves the fact that it's an original score and no one can deny that every person has been singing their face off and acting incredible, but I think it's grey in the area of the actual book and storyline. I'm super interested in these reviews!

[SomeOtherMe]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 6:28pm

I'd imagine it will receive mostly mixed to positive reviews. I can't imagine this getting completely panned but realistically, I doubt it will get raves across the board. We'll see. I'm hoping for the best.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 6:29pm

Matthew is mixed to negative Like his own life.

It’s no great secret that, of the many choices we encounter during our everyday lives, some are monumental, some are miniscule, and it’s often all but impossible to tell which are which. So why does If/Then, which just opened at the Richard Rodgers, behave as though this is the most profound revelation of our age? If Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey’s new musical spent as much time breaking new ground as it does pacing about the familiar, this impressively average show could be very good indeed.

https://www.talkinbroadway.com/world/index.html

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 06:29 PM

[ShakinBaconGirl]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 6:30pm

I'm Predicting a Rave from THE TIMES but ultimately Mixed reviews, except for Idina who will get mostly Raves.

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 06:30 PM

[Simon Damon]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 6:33pm

I just wonder if they took it to another out of town engagement what would of happened

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 6:33pm

I'm Predicting a Rave from THE TIMES but ultimately Mixed reviews, except for Idina who will get mostly Raves.

Ok, you go girl.

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 06:33 PM

[jdrye222]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 6:45pm

I saw the show... and I think the reviews will be completely negative, with exceptions to the performances of LaChanze and Menzel.
I thought it was some of the worst directing I've ever seen... and the show has no emotional core. The score, also, is just nothing. I saw it a week after seeing BRIDGES and it was just a different league of songwriting talent. I couldn't believe how boring and tuneless the songs were. And pointless - they never landed at moments that emotionally required a song.
I can't see how this will get good reviews.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 6:47pm

I wonder if the perception of the show may break down a bit by gender lines?

[djdan1079]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 7:00pm

YouWantItWhen- I mentioned as much in my observations on another thread. My female friend who was at the show with me loved it. I was just left cold by the whole thing. The women in the audience when I was there seemed to "get it"

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 7:02pm

^I'm a super emotional female (I cry at ANYTHING) but I didn't get teary eyed ONCE during If/Then (both times I saw it). There was no connection to ANY character for me and I felt like the writing didn't let you get involved with the characters at all. I hate this whole "gender" thing (I'm a psych/sociology major). That being said, people get emotionally involved with things mostly from their own experiences, and I simply could not identify with any of them.

[SarahNYC]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 7:03pm

Based on Brantley's facial reactions and general discomfort at the performance I was at (he was seated directly in my eye-line) I would be SHOCKED if it was a rave. It's not going to be a good review or, if it is, then I will say that he has the best poker face I've ever seen in my life!!!!

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 7:05pm

Promises, I feel exactly the same way. It was choppy, confusing, and I felt no connection to any character. But maybe it's better now since the first preview when I saw it.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 7:05pm

Oh Oh.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 7:06pm

I have heard a few songs and loved them. I will be seeing it in May hopefully. But, the one thing I have uniformly heard through previews is that Idina is selling this show. I hope she somehow negotiated some percentage of the BO (if that is even possible in theater). Because, if the reviews are not great, she will be the selling point.

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 07:06 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 7:08pm

I think she's always been the selling point, and will continue to be, despite the reviews.

[jdrye222]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 7:08pm

Yes that is certainly possible in theater --- many "stars" negotiate a weekly guaranteed salary (sometimes considerably lower than what they might ask without a box office percentage) and a profit share from box office. This is usually preferred for producers because it can prevent them from having a star salary sink a show that isn't doing so great.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 7:10pm

I think she's always been the selling point, and will continue to be, despite the reviews.

They still need the reviews and awards, unless she expects to be there for a long long time.