TORCH SONG (2018) Reviews

[LimelightMike]

[BroadwayConcierge]

I expect positive reviews across the board. I can't really imagine how anybody could criticize this production. One of the highlights of the season for me.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Agreed, Concierge. Truly one of my favorite theater experiences, both off-Broadway and on. I feel so lucky to have seen one of my favorite plays back on a Broadway.

In related news - Michael Urie designed a Torch Song bow tie for Tie the Knot! I love the result. $20 of every purchase (the bow tie is $25) goes to the Tie the Knot organization. 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Michael-Urie-Designs-Special-TORCH-SONG-Bow-Tie-for-Jesse-Tyler-Fergusons-Charity-20181101

It can be purchased at the theater or online, link below!

https://www.thetiebar.com/product/BT252ST

[musikman]

Hoping for good reviews as well.  Was incredibly moved by this production

[BroadwayConcierge]

Terry Teachout thinks Michael Urie is miscast??? K, between this and his Hello Dolly review, Teachout now officially has zero legitimacy.

[Bettyboy72]

Ive never seen Bob's Burgers but my friend said Urie sounded like the mom from Bob's Burgers and it distracted him. It didnt bother me.Ive never seen that show though. 

[LesWickedly]

A Critics Pick from Brantley! Hopefully this picks up ticket sales. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/01/theater/torch-song-review.html

[bekk99]

What a great review of a great production.

[wolfwriter]

Surprised at some of the criticisms from the reviews. I haven't read them all, yet, but, this is one of those times I'm scratching my head wondering if the critics saw the same play I did. Their love for The Ferryman is baffling, but their lack of unqualified raves for this is also baffling.

I've seen it twice in the last two weeks and looking to go back again. I took a friend who refuses to sit through long plays and even he loved it and wants to return.

So far, this and Elaine May's performance are my favorite things of the season. I'm glad Brantley's review was so good.

[givesmevoice]

Bettyboy72 said: "Ive never seen Bob's Burgers but my friend said Urie sounded like the mom from Bob's Burgers and it distracted him. It didnt bother me.Ive never seen that show though."

First of all, you should watch Bob’s Burgers. Second of all, that comment is pretty accurate, but makes sense because that voice is based on John Roberts’ impression of his mother who is, I believe, from Bensonhurst. 

[KitKatBoy24]

I have to say that I agree with some of these mixed reviews. I saw the show on Tuesday and Urie is incredible, but it was awkward when they would reference the character as heavier set and unnattractice. Urie is trim and gorgeous... I do think he is miscast. They should’ve cut the lines in the script about his size and stuff.

[GeorgeandDot]

Urie is miscast, but still gives a great performance, in my opinion. He just isn't really what the play describes him as at all.

[RippedMan]

So then should we complain about the casting director?

[HogansHero]

I am surprised here, as I was before, at these "miscast" reactions. In some cases it seems folks are holding on tightly to words and failing to heed the prologue to Henry V. In others, it seems that they are looking for a Harvey lookalike when that was not the aim. (Harvey certainly did not seek out Michael expecting him to "play" him.) Urie is creating his own Arnold up there. No one has to like but I don't think miscast is the right complaint. Also, while you may look at Urie and see one thing, that does not mean that he sees that. There is a whole disorder centered on freakishly thin people who think they are fat. et cetera.

[quizking101]

According to the most recent episode of “Show People”, Michael Urie actually brought up that Harvey was heavily resistant to a revival for many, many years because he didn’t know who could actually tackle the role of Arnold without a sense of impersonation of Harvey.

Then Urie came along and the rest is herstory...

That being said, when I saw it on Halloween, I thought his voice was a little more all over the place than when I saw it last year. My friend who saw it the day before also pulled up the Linda Belcher reference and I heard that more than I did the Snagglepuss I heard off Broadway. The show is gorgeous and solid though, and the audience is VERY reactive to what’s on stage (and I seldom ever have seen that - though I did again when I saw American Son that night)

[missjulie2]

Does anyone know what recordings of torch songs they play at the start and end of scenes?  It wasn't listed in the program and I was so curious who the singers were.