ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - Reviews & News Thread — Page 5

I was there last nite. The only 2 understudies were for minor roles.

It’s a totally solid, enjoyable musical! Middle to end of act 1 drags a bit, but it’s a good show. It would be an easy rec for audiences of all ages.

It’s got a couple of nice songs for Solea, who is so magnetic as Penny Lane, though certainly not the “star is born” performance that her agents are pitching this to be. Not much for the mother to do, which should be a plum role. Casey Likes is just okay — he’s no Casey Love. Killer band & guitar parts.

My main issue with the show is that it’s uniformly GOOD, but rarely GREAT. It’s a “should-see” but not a “must-see.” Reminded me a lot of A BRONX TALE or BONNIE & CLYDE or SISTER ACT: a decently good time and the type of show we’ll see at Encores in 30 years. (Musically quite different than those comparisons of course.) Maaaaybe it can run a year and then tour like Bronx Tale if it can attract a suburban audience, but I don’t know.

Updated On: 10/20/22 at 04:38 PM

I’ve seen this and although I didn’t love it I have to disagree with Jimmyb1969 about the cast. I think the show is perfectly cast. The score is flawlessly sung and everyone has really captured the essence of the era and their parts. The script lets them down but they are delivering with what they are given. It’s not necessarily a show I would recommend but it’s unfair to say the cast is terrible.

TamzBway said: "Has anyone tried lotto or rush lately? Seat locations? Thanks so much!"

For whatever reason, there was no lotto available today. Guess I’m going to have to get up and rush it tomorrow! So I’ll let you know.

I saw this yesterday afternoon. I enjoyed the first act and the second half of the second act. Thought the first half of Act 2 dragged a lot. I don't regret seeing it -- as a Thursday afternoon performance, I didn't see this instead of anything -- but felt that I would not have been happy if I had driven in from NJ (where I once lived), paid $15 for the tunnel, endured the horrible traffic, paid another $50 for parking, etc. It just wasn't good enough.

What was good? The performances of the 4 leads were all very strong. Anika Larsen made me remember Frances MacDormand...in a good way. Don't have my playbill in front of me, so I will simply say that the young man in the lead was TERRIFIC...lots of charisma, great voice, good at comedy. CAST HIM AS MARTY McFLY ASAP. The performers who played Russell and Penny were also very good, as was most of the cast, although I did not love Drew Gehling's performance...he just didn't seem right for the role. I kept on seeing Dr. Pomater and Dave. Maybe he was just a tad too old.

I thought that several of the new songs were good, including the opening number, one sung by Penny and one sang by the mother, but a lot of the others made no impression.

So, it definitely was not bad -- I have seen a lot of bad and very bad musicals - it just isn't exciting enough. Ultimately, I think the music let it down, because I thought the book was solid.

Saw both Tom Kitt and Cameron Crowe in the audience. Crowe seemed to know an awful lot of the attendees.

How was the rush experience? How were the partial view seats?

I played lottery yesterday for today's matinee and "won" mezzanine G side. I'm not happy with the location of the seat and wonder if they will trade for a better location? It's not sold out.

Everybody is so good, Chris looks so much like Billy with the hair and blue shirt, especially his profile. Last night not a single cell phone went off or was taken out. It's just a great time.

Dupe delete

Updated On: 10/29/22 at 11:19 PM

Chris Wood was out of both shows today.

rachelfran said: "I played lottery yesterday for today's matinee and "won" mezzanine G side. I'm not happy with the location of the seat and wonder if they will trade for a better location? It's not sold out."



FYI the box office offered to upgrade at a surcharge and moved me to the same seat 20 but row E in the orchestra.... Much closer and I think the only thing I couldn't see was the left side elevated platform. I think Penny starts one of her songs there.



I found it overall enjoyable but way too long. Chris Wood was out and his sub, Van Hughes, had no chemistry with penny and wasn't handsome enough as the script seems to need him to be. I really enjoyed Casey Likes. He was terrific throughout and his songs were great. His mom was no frances mcdormand but i liked her songs too. I wasn't a huge fan of the original group numbers - they felt a little high school to me and the wigs were terrible. Maybe because I was so close, I found them so distracting. Simple Man, Tiny Dancer, River -- easily stood out among the rest, imo. It made me want to see the movie again.

Sutton Ross said: "When I saw it on Friday night, Chris seemed to be struggling slightly with the higher notes and at the end (Feverdog) he stood way in the back, bowed, but left the stage quickly and didn't look good. Perhaps he wanted to rest up before opening (is that today?).

I don't think Van has ever went on for him but there's a reason they put Chris and Solea together. The chemistry is off the charts hot, just like the two of them."

Opening night is this Thursday, November 3.

I really had no interest because I HATED the movie, but I went last night and it was actually pretty fun. The theater was full, it was Velvet Goldmine meets Hair meets Rock of Ages. A fun time, that's all. Great talent on stage.