KING KONG Reviews

[LimelightMike]

The day has finally arrived! Post 'em here, so, we can discuss amongst ourselves!

[rosscoe(au)]

Have the popcorn ready , this should be a crap show of delight

[jkl2000]

I'm seeing it tomorrow night (as long as it stays open through then!), and have one question unrelated to the show itself:

I have no idea when I last saw a show at The Broadway Theater (or if ever!). Tomorrow night I'm in the first row of the Front Mezzanine. Anyone know how the legroom is there? I'm on the aisle so can try to stretch out if needed, but I've been in some bad front row balcony seats recently and am just wondering about this theater. I really don't know much about this theater, when it was built, etc., so I feel like it's a crap shoot. Hopefully the show will be entrancing enough that I won't care!

Any info appreciated, and I am now off to research the theater a bit. Will try to post a review Saturday!

[greenifyme2]

I saw the show 2 days ago in the 2nd row of the mezz and couldn’t believe how much legroom there was. My tall husband looked comfortable in a broadway seat for the first time ever. One of the most comfortable seats I’ve sat in at a show.

[Stage Door Sally]

NPR weighs in on the 2,400 pound gorilla in the room:

https://www.npr.org/2018/11/07/664740053/king-kong-on-broadway-is-the-2-400-pound-gorilla-in-the-room

 

[ucjrdude902]

Excited to see what pull quotes they get. 

[jkl2000]

greenifyme2 said: "I saw the show 2 days ago in the 2nd row of the mezz and couldn’t believe how much legroom there was. My tall husband looked comfortable in a broadway seat for the first time ever. One of the most comfortable seats I’ve sat in at a show."

Thanks, good to hear! I really don't think I've ever seen anything at this theater, though I saw a ton of show in the 1970s - 80s!

I don't want any Kong spoilers, so I'll be back here after seeing it - I'm sure to have some opinions! :)

[bk]

Stage Door Sally said: "NPR weighs in on the 2,400 pound gorilla in the room:

https://www.npr.org/2018/11/07/664740053/king-kong-on-broadway-is-the-2-400-pound-gorilla-in-the-room

"

I thought this was for reviews of the show.  This is a puff piece about the puppet.

[haterobics]

jkl2000 said: "Tomorrow night I'm in the first row of the Front Mezzanine. Anyone know how the legroom is there? I'm on the aisle so can try to stretch out if needed, but I've been in some bad front row balcony seats recently and am just wondering about this theater."

I get the concern, but there seem to be a lot of people who get concerned AFTER they already purchase a seat. Like, why not ask this before buying the ticket?!? (See also: I'm in Seat E24 way off to the side, will I miss anything?)

[Impossible2]

I would laugh my a** off if this got great reviews...

[BroadwayPrincess3]

Checking in now so I can get those sweet, sweet email reminders. I’m really interested in what the critics will have to say.

[Elegance101]

No reviews yet?

[EJ24642]

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/king-kong-theater-1159078?utm_source=twitter&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral

Hollywood Reporter is mixed, likes Kong but not much else

[GeorgeandDot]

Lol he calls it a "wretched mess." That's definitely a pan. He just likes the puppet.

[EJ24642]

https://variety.com/2018/legit/reviews/king-kong-review-broadway-1203023451/

Variety is mixed too, a fan of Kong and Christiani Pitts as Ann, but not a fan of the music or parts of the book

[EJ24642]

https://www.amny.com/entertainment/king-kong-review-1.23108331

amNY gives it two stars and the headline says it all: "Brilliant puppet can't save disappointing Broadway musical"

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Whoa, the guy who wrote Harry Potter and the Cursed Child wrote a weak book? I'm not surprised.

[songanddanceman2]

Negative (Likes Kong)
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/mashable.com/article/king-kong-musical-braodway-review.amp 

Negative
https://www.nj.com/expo/life-and-culture/erry-2018/11/8e26369fa71936/king-kong-broadway-musical-rev.html
 

[songanddanceman2]

Negative https://www.wsj.com/articles/king-kong-review-monkey-business-1541727000https://www.wsj.com/articles/king-kong-review-monkey-business-1541727000

[HogansHero]

I cannot envision a scenario in which the producers care what people think of the book music or lyrics. They just want the answer to the question "is seeing the puppet must see theatre?" to be an emphatic yes.

[haterobics]

EJ24642 said: "https://variety.com/2018/legit/reviews/king-kong-review-broadway-1203023451/"

The review says "There’s no mention of “musical” in the this musical’s marketing, which is probably a good idea."

They don't tell people they're going to a musical?!?! ... and that's a good thing?!? 

[morosco]

I think the sarcastic implication is that the music and lyrics are so bad it's best they don't get people's hopes up.

[BroadwayConcierge]

OMG. We have a dual pan from Brantley AND Green!!!

"Spirit-crushing." "Ugh." "Aaaaaaaaargh." "A car wreck of clichés." "Bad score." "Hard to believe the book is by Jack Thorne." "Escape to Margaritaville was until now was my musical theater low point of 2018. Jimmy, I take it all back."

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/08/theater/king-kong-review.html

[LesWickedly]

Well if anyone got a pull quote tonight, it's Escape to Margaritaville. That was a fun review to read. Normally I'll just skim them but the conversation was interesting to read. 

[adamgreer]

I have never seen a joint review like that before, nor have I ever laughed so much while reading a review.

That was so delightfully bitchy.