If/then Reviews- Page 2

[YouWantitWhen????]

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

Thanks. I knew it was common in movies, but not sure about theater.

[djdan1079]

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

Is Idina really on the level of getting a percentage of the weekly gross? I thought that was more reserved for the Jackmans of the world. At any rate, I'm sure she is making a decent chunk of money, and she does deserve every penny.

I've always found it interesting how great talent is able to carry a mediocre show on their back. I remember leaving "shrek" with Brian D'arcy James and Sutton thinking it was a cute show. Certainly not the best thing I ever saw, but I enjoyed it. Then I saw the show with a touring cast in San Francisco and thought it was awful. So props to Ms Dazeem. I'm not sure this show survives with another actress anchoring it.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 7:16pm

Blaxx, I agree but it may go the way of Evita, which closed when Ricky's contract ended. I'm curious to see the grosses when she goes on vacation, though.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 7:22pm

The downside to Sunday reviews, they take forever to come out.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 7:46pm

EW gives it a B-

The two scenarios unfold in consecutive scenes, sometimes shifting mid-song, which is not as confusing as it sounds given shifts in lighting, changes in our heroine's name, and Michael Greif's solid direction. But the show's exploration of fate and chance seldom rises above Hallmark-card sentimentality — and the characters have no more depth. There are also a lot of them, including Liz/Beth's kindergarten-teacher pal (LaChanze), the teacher’s lover (Jenn Colella), and the doc's gay best friend (Jason Tam); many get songs of their own, which only slows down the action.

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20364394_20801613,00.html

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 07:46 PM

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 7:47pm

And a rave for Idina. (I was just about to post this).

"But as even John Travolta must know by now, the real star here is Menzel, and she delivers a powerful bipolar performance that often masks the shallowness of the material. In her triumphant final ballad, 'Always Starting Over,' she proves she doesn't need to defy gravity to win over fans. With her feet planted on terra firma, she can shake the rafters and pierce your heart all at once."

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 8:05pm

"shallowness of the material". That's the phrase I've been looking for to describe it. And I definitely don't expect anything less than a rave for Idina!

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 8:09pm

Bridges got raves for O'hara and respectable reviews for the show and yet it is dying a slow death. If it does not get a ton of tony nods, look for a closing notice to go up soon after.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 8:16pm

^^^ thought that up all on his own

[Steve721]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 8:16pm

If/Then has been playing to 80% of potential grosses in previews, while Bridges has never come close to that. As long as Adele is in it, I think this won't close.

[BroadwayFan12]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 8:18pm

Idina is famous outside the theatre community, while Kelli, unfortunately, is not. I'm sure If/Then will be fine regardless of its reviews.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 8:23pm

Time Out is 3 stars out of 5

Menzel imbues her character with maximum pluck and vulnerabilty. But for all the charisma of the lead and ensemble, Kitt’s score blurs into similar-sounding midtempo pop ballads. Menzel carries the show but can’t force us to care about Liz/Beth’s average life choices. People are just too darn nice in If/Then’s world. We need more bitchery and satire, more injustice for our hero to fight against, to inspire an anthem as thrilling (if as slick) as “Let It Go.” Otherwise, we get a Choose Your Own Adventure that’s not really venturesome.

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/if-then

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 08:23 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 8:26pm

These are pretty mixed so far. while everyone has praise for Idina, they do not have much to praise about her character or the show itself.

To me, they read as if she should just have done a solo concert and forget about the rest.

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 08:26 PM

[SomeOtherMe]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 8:33pm

I wouldn't go that far. They do call the show a "smart, contemporary piece for adults". It's definitely not a rave but they seemed to have more or less enjoyed it.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 8:35pm

I meant in general.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 8:38pm

NBC NY is mixed

“If/Then” begins with one version of Elizabeth thinking back upon the choices that she’s made. As we watch both of Elizabeth’s paths in flashback, we inevitably spend the whole show trying to decide which version of Elizabeth we met at the beginning--Liz or Beth. In the end, Yorkey and Kitt answer that, but they want us to focus less on which path is right, instead embracing the fact that each path is, simply, different. That may be all well and good, but that point gets clouded in confusing storylines.

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/entertainment/the-scene/Review-Idina-Menzel-Shines-in-IfThen-253125321.html

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 08:38 PM

[ShakinBaconGirl]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 8:42pm

"These are pretty mixed so far. while everyone has praise for Idina"

Girl, didn't I tell you.

[LostinTranslation]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 8:44pm

My problem with the TimeOut review is that it complains that the choices Liz/Beth make are conventional. But the reality is that most folks bump through life making fairly conventional choices. Those choices may not be compelling, but they are real choices. So the question is whether it is necessary for dramatic purposes (and reviews) to put on dramatic pieces with scenarios that often have nothing to do with the bulk of society? Having seen the show in DC, I'd argue that many of the scenarios are real are relatable and compelling.

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 08:44 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 8:45pm

Clouded in confusing storylines. That's dead on.

[LostinTranslation]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 8:52pm

Oops my bad... Updated On: 3/30/14 at 08:52 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 8:54pm

This thread opens with that review and it is already re-posted twice?

[haterobics]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:03pm

""These are pretty mixed so far. while everyone has praise for Idina"

Girl, didn't I tell you."

After a month of people having mixed reviews and praise for Idina, I'm not sure you have psychic abilities.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:08pm

Variety:

In her belated return to Broadway after “Wicked,” powerhouse belter Idina Menzel is sorely misused in “If/Then.” ”Next to Normal” writing team Brian Yorkey (who bears responsibility for the pretentious book and lyrics) and Tom Kitt (who composed the flaccid music) designed this concept musical as the existential dilemma of a woman weighing her choices between living two equally boring lives. This smaller-than-life show can’t extinguish Menzel’s larger-than-life persona, but it certainly diminishes her Amazonian strengths as a performer.

The star of 'Frozen' and 'Wicked' soars in her Broadway return, but this over-intellectualized new musical from the 'Next to Normal' duo falls flat. Updated On: 3/30/14 at 09:08 PM

[ShakinBaconGirl]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:09pm

"After a month of people having mixed reviews and praise for Idina, I'm not sure you have psychic abilities."

Nope just a sense of humor....

[LostinTranslation]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:09pm

Hollywood Reporter