SOUL OF SHAOLIN Reviews
SOUL OF SHAOLIN Reviews
#1SOUL OF SHAOLIN Reviews
Posted: 1/15/09 at 6:14pm
AM New York gives the show 2 Stars out of 4:
'The eye-catching skills on display include iron body techniques (i.e. breaking objects on someone’s head or abs), wall scaling, pole leaping and nerve manipulation. At our performance, all of these merited generous applause from most of the audience. But for those uninterested in action-packed spectacle, these tricks feel dull and repetitive pretty quickly.
Constant blackouts and an unnecessary intermission interrupt what should have probably been a seamless display of movement. Though no dialogue is spoken, narrations are occasionally blasted from the loudspeakers. Its pre-recorded musical score, which aims for sweeping quality, instead sounds canned and synthesized.'
http://weblogs.amny.com/entertainment/stage/blog/2009/01/theater_review_of_soul_of_shao.html
"Y'know, I think Bertolt Brecht was rolling in his grave."
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
#2re: SOUL OF SHAOLIN Reviews
Posted: 1/15/09 at 8:54pm
Variety - with Sam Thielman reviewing - is Mixed-to-Negative:
'In the show's second act, it becomes apparent that "Soul of Shaolin," fresh from the 2008 Olympics, moved into its brief Broadway engagement at the Marquis (through Jan. 31) with relatively short notice. The hypnotic synchronization of the first act returns only in fits and starts, and more than once a performer has a look in his eyes that says unmistakably, "Where am I supposed to be standing, again?"
There are other amateurish mistakes, too, including notably loud backstage chatter that overpowers the piped-in score in the final moments. That would be less of a loss if the show's credo wasn't discipline, discipline, discipline.'
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117939341.html?categoryid=33&cs=1
"Y'know, I think Bertolt Brecht was rolling in his grave."
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
Updated On: 1/15/09 at 08:54 PM
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
#2re: SOUL OF SHAOLIN Reviews
Posted: 1/15/09 at 9:13pm
The Associated Press is Very Positive:
'...Subtlety is not apparent in the musical soundtrack either, an odd mixture of soupy Hollywood-style movie music — that telegraphs emotions — mixed with more traditional Chinese sounds.
Yet it is the demanding physicality in the show that counts. That movement celebrates an intense kind of discipline that borders on the spiritual and proves to be surprisingly sturdy Broadway entertainment.'
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090115/ap_en_re/theater_review_soul_of_shaolin
"Y'know, I think Bertolt Brecht was rolling in his grave."
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
#3re: SOUL OF SHAOLIN Reviews
Posted: 1/15/09 at 9:24pm
Backstage is Mixed-to-Negative:
'With the current economic downturn shuttering Broadway shows left and right, we can expect to see more attractions like Soul of Shaolin, a martial-arts spectacular more suited to a theme park in Shanghai than the Great White Way. This kung fu fest is booked into the Marquis Theatre between the holiday engagement of Irving Berlin's White Christmas and the open run of 9 to 5 in the spring. Long on acrobatics and short on story line, Soul of Shaolin is a moderately entertaining evening on its own terms, but if your soul craves more than kicks and chops, it leaves you hungry before the final curtain.'
http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/nyc/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003931179
"Y'know, I think Bertolt Brecht was rolling in his grave."
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
#4re: SOUL OF SHAOLIN Reviews
Posted: 1/15/09 at 10:26pm
The New York Times - with Charles Isherwood reviewing - is Mixed-to-Negative:
'Unfortunately for the makers of “Soul of Shaolin” (the choreography and direction are by Liu Tongbiao), the innumerable Cirque du Soleil shows have set a far higher standard in terms of stagecraft. And they have plenty of contortionists, too. Watching someone fling his leg behind his head as if merely scratching an elbow is not the wince-inspiring feat it once was, thanks to those enterprising French Canadians and their hordes of international performers. (I suspect even Madonna can perform that trick these days.)
“Soul of Shaolin” is being presented on Broadway by Nederlander Worldwide Productions, a joint venture between the producer Robert Nederlander Jr. and Chinese partners. It is produced by China on Broadway, “established by Nederlander Worldwide to bring the best of Chinese culture to Broadway.”
I seriously doubt “Soul of Shaolin” represents the best of Chinese culture. Then again, the shows Nederlander Worldwide is bringing to China include the musicals “Aida,” “42nd Street” and “Fame” — hardly the best of American culture, either. All things considered I’d much rather see “Soul of Shaolin” again than “Aida.” And I’d happily be hoisted aloft on metal spears rather than endure once more the wretched “Fame.” But maybe it’s better in Mandarin?'
http://theater2.nytimes.com/2009/01/16/theater/reviews/16shao.html
"Y'know, I think Bertolt Brecht was rolling in his grave."
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
Updated On: 1/15/09 at 10:26 PM
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
#5re: SOUL OF SHAOLIN Reviews
Posted: 1/15/09 at 11:32pmThe AP review seems weird considering the other ones seem to be in agreement.
"Rather than ignore those who choose to publish their opinions without actually talking to me, I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love."
-Neil Patrick Harris
#6re: SOUL OF SHAOLIN Reviews
Posted: 1/15/09 at 11:55pm
Michael Kuchwara tends to like most shows. Which is somewhat scary, given that he is being picked up by more and more newspapers, given that he is now more likely to be the guy people go to for a "second opinion," after the New York Times.
Well, at least he's likeable.
"Y'know, I think Bertolt Brecht was rolling in his grave."
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
Updated On: 1/15/09 at 11:55 PM
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
#7re: SOUL OF SHAOLIN Reviews
Posted: 1/16/09 at 9:01am
I personally enjoyed it. I didn't go in thinking I was going to see Cats, Contact or anything with a remotely interesting story line, but more of the "Superstars of Dance" competition on NBC.
For me, it was Cirque du Soleil meets Jackie Chan.
I once heard someone describe her (Ruthie Henshall) singing as sounding as though she's trying to swallow a whole meatball slightly larger than her windpipe. (The same person compared Michael Ball's singing to sounding as though he's sitting on a washing machine on spin cycle and Colm Wilkinson's to a man with a paralyzed lip trying to eat cottage cheese.) --- Schmerg_The_Impaler
#8re: SOUL OF SHAOLIN Reviews
Posted: 1/16/09 at 11:50am
The New York Daily News gives the show 2 out of 5 Stars:
'...Unfortunately, cheesy sets and choppy staging choices undermine the highs. Lights and piped-in music don't seamlessly fade and bridge scenes. They slam off, like someone hitting the brakes to avoid a car crash.
If you love martial arts and think "Kill Bill" is high art, you might not mind. And you'll delight when the adorable Wang Sen, who plays Hui Guang as a boy, amazes with effortless head springs. Yu Fei, as the adult Hui, is another standout whose daring split has got to hurt.
Others impress less. What to say about a monk who gets a yellow bowl to stick to his stomach as others try to pull it off? A neat Tupperware party trick. But on stage, it's just kung phooey.'
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/arts/2009/01/16/2009-01-16_highflying_soul_of_shaolin_a_missed_chop-1.html
"Y'know, I think Bertolt Brecht was rolling in his grave."
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
