BRIGHT STAR Reviews

[LimelightMike]

Making it OFFICIAL!

Today is Thursday, March 24, marking the official opening night performance for Steve Martin and Edie Brickell's BRIGHT STAR! Post 'em here, kids!

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

To everyone else on these boards, please wait and see if Limelight Mike posts these threads on Opening Night. If he doesn't, then post your own.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Really hoping this gets some good notices tonight (Carmen Cusack especially).

[10086sunset]

Thanks Limelight, nice to see you back where you belong!

Would love to see this show receive some great reviews. 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

The first two reviews are in...

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-BRIGHT-STAR-Opens-on-Broadway-Updating-LIVE-20160324

[GreasedLightning]

Ouch. 

[smidge]

Yep, I thought they would be a little more positive.  There's a great deal of talent in this show. I hope it still has a good run

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Terry Teachout just chimed in, and his review ain't pretty...

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-BRIGHT-STAR-Opens-on-Broadway-Updating-LIVE-20160324

[uncageg]

Was afraid of these reviews. A few are good so far. One suggests you just get the So Familiar cd.  A number of the songs on the cd are in the show.

 

I loved it. The story is not complcated, the music is nice and it is just an enjoyable show. I also think they are quite aware of what info is given away by intermission. I had no problem with that as I wanted to find out the reveal. It made me want to get back to my seat after intermission. And maybe that is what they were going for with the book.  JMO

 

I hope this show lasts a while. It truly deserves to.

[LostinTranslation]

The reviews seem to be more about what the show isn't than what it is.  Since the reviewers don't accept the throwback contrivances of an old fashioned, sentimental musical, they cast it aside.

[uncageg]

^^^thank you!

[newintown]

I only saw the first act, but I have to agree with these; it seemed to be a stultifying bowl of cold moldy cornpone and hokum. And I just couldn't take a second act of such trite nonsense.

[bjh2114]

Well then you missed out because Act 2 is lovely.

[Dancingthrulife2]

"Sunlight Without Warmth..." Ouch... 

[newintown]

Act 2 could be the Second Coming, and I still wouldn't sit through Act 1 again to see it.

[mc1227]

I anticipated the reviews would be mixed and the simplicity of this show would be the target of critics stings.  However, I found the show very enjoyable and beautifully expressed.  Some people will say corney or hokey or whatever, but in this complicated and terribly angry world, to be in the 2.5 hour world of hokey was quite wonderful.  It was actually a breath of fresh air..

[bjh2114]

Well Isherwood is very positive. He makes it a Critic's Pick.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/25/theater/review-bright-star-beams-nostalgia-underscored-by-fiddles-and-banjos.html?_r=0

[Call_me_jorge]

Dancingthrulife2 said: ""Sunlight Without Warmth..." Ouch... "

Such a great pull quote!

[laughingplace]

Call_me_jorge said: "Dancingthrulife2 said: ""Sunlight Without Warmth..." Ouch... "

Such a great pull quote!

BULLSH*T REVIEW FROM NYT

 

[bjh2114]

"Bull****" because you don't agree? OK then.

[Dancingthrulife2]

bjh2114 said: "Well Isherwood is very positive. He makes it a Critic's Pick.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/25/theater/review-bright-star-beams-nostalgia-underscored-by-fiddles-and-banjos.html?_r=0

 

"

Though I love Bright Stars, I can't ignore the fact that the "critic's pick" comes from the same person who gives the same accolade to Disaster!.

[TFMH18]

A bonafide RAVE from the Times. Well, I'm thrilled! And couldn't agree more. Simplicity does not equate to subpar art

[10086sunset]

The critic's pick has become somewhat of a joke lately. 

I hope the show is able to last for a while. 

[Cupid Boy2]

Dancingthrulife2 said: "Though I love Bright Stars, I can't ignore the fact that the "critic's pick" comes from the same person who gives the same accolade to Disaster!."

In the other thread, you stated that you hoped it didn't get "slayed" by the critics. The Times gave it a wonderful review. What did you want? 

 

[massofmen]

I love that the.nytimes has no more real power. From lauding over honeymoon in Vegas to loving disaster to now this is just hilarious. I'm sure there are many others that I am forgetting. 

 

The nytimes used to be the thing that would kill or save a show. It would be the paper that everyone would race to see to see if their show would survive. Now it makes no difference what the times says.  Their days of power are over and it's wonderful to watch the demise happen.