If/then Reviews- Page 3

[blaxx]

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

That Variety review is negative with praise for Menzel.

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 09:09 PM

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:11pm

Well, at least I will not have a problem getting tickets when I am in NY in May.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:12pm

The Hollywood Reporter (posted by Lostintranslation) is also negative with praise for Menzel.

But the musical is really all about the blazing supernova at its center, Menzel, who may not scream vulnerability, but she has the spirit and charisma to carry even weak material. When she unleashes that industrial-strength lung power as Elizabeth takes the plunge with Josh in "Here I Go," or in her closing number, "Always Starting Over," her admirers ("Fanzels," if we absolutely must call them that) get what they came for. Too bad she's not in a show worthy of her talents.

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 09:12 PM

[haterobics]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:21pm

"Well, at least I will not have a problem getting tickets when I am in NY in May."

I wouldn't wait too long on those. The show has been selling strongly through previews, often with people holding signs hoping to get tickets outside the theater. Even looking into May, a good chunk of the orchestra is already sold for most performances, and the current discount code expires May 11 (which isn't to say they won't issue another one). Unless you're planning to try the lottery and slingshot into rear mezz if you lose, in which case no pre-planning is required. There are a lot of Idina fans, and they are buying tickets so far...

[LostinTranslation]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:22pm

Again, mixed....
The Wrap

[theatregoer3]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:24pm

Glad to see James Snyder is getting some credit in these reviews. He did very well despite playing a shallow role. Happy to see praise given where it's due.

[jdrye222]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:32pm

That Variety review is spot on.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:32pm

I am probably buying tickets within the next week, once my travel plans get firmed up. And, I would be coming after the 11th, so I hope they extend the discount offer.

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 09:32 PM

[jkstheatrescene]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:35pm

Well, here is the review I posted. I liked it. Grade: A

http://bit.ly/1jp7kiG

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:39pm

WSJ is more of the same.
Review: Menzel shines but 'If/Then' too sloppy

[GatorNY]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:40pm

The VARIETY review says
"And here comes the spoiler for anyone wondering which life Elizabeth chooses to live: did you really think it would be the feminist career woman who betrays her husband, has an abortion, and climbs to the top of her profession? If you do, then I have this bridge to Brooklyn you might want to buy."
That's not what I took from the show. I thought that she didn't really choose one life or another. They showed us both stories.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:42pm

The WSJ (AP) is also negative with extra pressure added to Menzel to save the evening from its poorly conceived structure.

The new musical "If/Then" is all about imagining different scenarios, so let's get straight to it: If you love Idina Menzel, then go see it — she tears the rafters off the theater while going through a mid-life crisis. But if you like smooth, tight shows, then find something else to do.

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 09:42 PM

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:44pm

I am surprised that they had this big of a misfire after N2N. The only person coming out consistently positive in the reviews is Menzel.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:45pm

The show itself is getting a pretty harsh beating.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:47pm

"Find something else to do? " Harsh as f*ck.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:48pm

Yep. I would say mixed would be generous at this point (for the show).

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:53pm

Not much love for Tony winner La Chanze either. She is getting completely lost in the Idina love fest.

What a strange career move.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:54pm

NM

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 09:54 PM

[BroadwayFan12]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:55pm

You're correct, GatorNYC. I enjoyed the show and found it pretty easy to follow, but it was a letdown compared to next to normal.

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 09:55 PM

[Steve721]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:57pm

In terms of reviews, Idina seems to be doing about as well as Kelli, but I think Bridges has better reviews for the show. And people seem not to like the If/Then score at all. JRB may well win his second Tony.

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 09:57 PM

[morosco]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:58pm

All the time they spent out of town and all the previews and the creative team still couldn't fix what was wrong or (worse) they couldn't see that something was wrong??!?!

[haterobics]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:58pm

"Like choosing this show instead of a night in front of "The Good Wife.""

This doesn't make sense. If/Then doesn't have a Sunday night performance.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:59pm

Newsday is positive

We are meant to feel a bit off-balance, a little disoriented, maybe even confused in parts of "If/Then" -- and that's the sharp point. In this intelligent, surprising, altogether original new musical

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/theater/if-then-review-idina-menzel-back-on-broadway-in-fork-in-the-road-musical-1.7551210

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 09:59 PM

[haterobics]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:59pm

Yeah, she doesn't choose either life. Both happen, and continue to happen.

[Goldenboy2]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:59pm

I'm really shocked that this musical is taking this kind of a beating. The Best Musical category just got a lot simpler.