Choir Boy Reviews

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 7:49pm

Its opening night! Other thread seems to be messed up so lets post em here.

[musikman]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 7:58pm

Hoping for great reviews on this one.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 7:58pm

May catch this next week, eager to hear the reviews!

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 8:35pm

Talkin’ Broadway is mixed:

https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/world/ChoirBoy2019.html

[l0l]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 8:56pm

Just left A Bands Visit which is right next to Choir Boy. There were two ambulances and a police car. Not sure whats up.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 8:57pm

Hollywood Reporter is mostly positive:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hollywoodreporter.com/amp/review/choir-boy-theater-review-1173472

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 9:01pm

4 stars from Time Out although so far there seems to be agreement that the changes made since the off-Broadway run are not necessarily improvements:

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/choir-boy-1?ez_cid=CLIENT_ID(AMP_ECID_EZOIC)

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 9:04pm

AM New York is positive:

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 9:05pm

AM New York is positive:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.amny.com/amp/entertainment/choir-boy-review-1.25701466

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 9:17pm

l0l said: "Just left A Bands Visit which is right next to Choir Boy. There were two ambulances and a police car. Not sure whats up."

oh no! 

 

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 9:18pm

Miles2Go2 said: "4 stars from Time Out although so far there seems to be agreement that the changes made since the off-Broadway run are not necessarily improvements:

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/choir-boy-1?ez_cid=CLIENT_ID(AMP_ECID_EZOIC)"

 

How did they change the ending. Interesting that this is mentioned as I felt the final moment to almost be is weakest.

 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 9:24pm

The 4 star Guardian review reflects another theme in the reviews: the production is strongest when the boys sing, less effective when they aren’t:

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/jan/08/chair-boy-review-broadway-tarell-alvin-mccraney?ez_cid=CLIENT_ID(AMP_ECID_EZOIC)

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 9:40pm

Critic's Pick from Jesse Green

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/08/theater/choir-boy-review.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Farts&action=click&contentCollection=arts&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront

[natashalost]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 9:57pm

Miles2Go2 said: “...the production is strongest when the boys sing, less effective when they aren’t..."

I did think they could make this into a full-fledged musical. I doubt that would ever happen but if the right person did it, it could be phenomenal. 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 10:09pm

My friend just got out of Waitress and confirmed that the ambulances are still there. Is this typical for opening night as far as precautions?

Meanwhile, Im still undecided about whether this should make the cut for my work trip next month. Its either this or revisiting The Bands Visit or Dear Evan Hansen (if its on TKTS or if I...ha...win the lottery) or seeing The Cher show or if I can stretch my audience rewards points enough to see To Kill a Mockingbird.

Im trying to see a show each of my five nights and the other 4 nights (Fiddler; Network; Kiss Me, Kate; and The Ferryman) are almost certainly taken.

As a gay man, I feel like I should see Choir Boy....and its closing in March so thats does add some urgency over the others...

[l0l]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 10:20pm

Miles2Go2 said: "My friend just got out of Waitress and confirmed that the ambulances are still there. Is this typical for opening night as far as precautions?

I heard the Clintons were in attendance at opening night, so maybe it’s a security precaution for them. Then again, the police car and ambulances all had their lights flashing, so that seems a bit odd. They passed right as Band’s Visit was letting out, the flashing red lights were neatly projected on the now empty stage.

 

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 10:21pm

Fordham2015 said: "Critic's Pick from Jesse Green

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/08/theater/choir-boy-review.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Farts&action=click&contentCollection=arts®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront"

He pretty much ripped it apart. I saw the play and he just didn't get it. This play is going to hit people in different ways. I honestly feel that it is the older black and black gay male community that it will really hit and who will relate to it the most. I was an emotional wreck.

 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 10:36pm

I enjoyed it and supported it, but I wasnt shocked or taken with it the way some people did. It kind of went down a predictable road and I thought the singing interludes just felt like padding. Pendleton gave some of the best, natural acting Ive ever seen. He felt like he was in a totally different play and just wandered on stage. But in a good way. The direction felt similar to things Ive seen before. It felt like it was trying to be this big, heavy handed thing but it never got me. I wouldnt steer anyone away from it, but not sure its a must see.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 10:37pm

Uncageg, thanks for this. This makes me more inclined to want to see it. I saw five shows this last weekend and my favorite was The Waverly Gallery even more than Torch Song. I had to try to muffle my sobs during Act 2 (I failed). It hit really close to home. One of my friends likes to say that I cry at everything I see (not true! I didnt cry at The Lifespan of a Fact. Lol). So tears dont frighten me.

Of the contenders I listed above, would you recommend this over them?
 

Updated On: 1/8/19 at 10:37 PM

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 10:43pm

The app keeps crashing on me but it appears rest of reviews are positive.

Posted: 1/8/19 at 10:54pm

The Clintons still have a full secret service detail...and travel with that team. I don't think that they go most places with cop cars and ambulances, but given how crowded Times Sq is - it might be there just as a precaution...but more likely there was a problem at one of the theaters on that street.  

 

Edit:  I checked w my source. The city would have a detail (cops/ambulance) stationed outside the theater ..but it is not part of the standard detail (i.e. the ambulance wouldn't be part of the motorcade on the way back to Chappaqua).

Updated On: 1/9/19 at 10:54 PM

[Sauja]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 11:02pm

Green managed to write a critics pick review that feels like it will make people want to skip the showa shame as I found this tremendously moving. The faults that some reviewers seem to be finding didnt occur to me as faults. No, we dont get to know the secondary characters that well. But the play is never about them.

In any case, its a rich piece, and while not McCraneys very best (The Brother/Sister Plays will be tough to beat), its still one of the strongest and most enjoyable shows to open this season.

Miles, I similarly adored The Waverly Gallery and was left a little cool by Torch Song. Of the shows you mention, i do recommend trying to squeeze this in over Mockingbird or seeing something for a second time. Id also include it over Network which was a shocking disappointment for me as I love Van Hoves work and the original movie so much. Id swap Network out and fit in Choir Boy and Cher which is great fun if not great theater.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 11:13pm

Miles2Go2 said: "Uncageg, thanks for this. This makes me more inclined to want to see it. I saw five shows this last weekend and my favorite was The Waverly Gallery even more than Torch Song. I had to try to muffle my sobs during Act 2 (I failed). It hit really close to home. What am I friends likes to say that I cry at everything I see (not true! I didnt cry at The Lifespan of a Fact. Lol). So tears dont frighten me.

Of the contenders I listed above, would you recommend this over them? "

 

I haven't seen much this year on Broadway. This was one of the few shows that were must see for me. What I can say is that it totally met my expectations!

 

 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 11:20pm

Sauja said: "Green managed to write a critics pick review that feels like it will make people want to skip the showa shame as I found this tremendously moving. The faults that some reviewers seem to be finding didnt occur to me as faults. No, we dont get to know the secondary characters that well. But the play is never about them.

In any case, its a rich piece, and while not McCraneys very best (The Brother/Sister Plays will be tough to beat), its still one of the strongest and most enjoyable shows to open this season.

Miles, I similarly adored The Waverly Gallery and was left a little cool by Torch Song. Of the shows you mention, i do recommend trying to squeeze this in over Mockingbird or seeing something for a second time. Id also include it over Network which was a shocking disappointment for me as I love Van Hoves work and the original movie so much. Id swap Network out and fit in Choir Boy and Cher which is great fun if not great theater. "

So you don’t think Network is worth seeing even just for seeing Cranston’s performance. 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 1/8/19 at 11:40pm

@Miles2Go2 Unless they extended, it's a limited run through February 17 so that urgency is even more urgent.