ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 6

[flord10]

Posted: 11/2/22 at 10:41am

Wish they had performed an original song…

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 10:13am

How do we think reviews will pan out?

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 10:44am

Jimmy Fallon to Reprise His ‘Almost Famous’ Role on Broadway
 

The title of this article makes it seem more of a sure thing than the actual body of the article does. At least the way I read it, but if true it can’t be a good sign that they’re already looking to stunt casting while still in previews. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 11:40am

They aren't looking to stunt cast anyone. They were on his show, asked to be on his show, and Cameron wanted to get some excitement and applause. Jimmy wasn't going to say no, so yeah maybe it happens once and the man who actually plays him on Broadway still gets paid for that night. It's not big news nor it is actually confirmed.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 11:52am

It's a very "This could maybe one day hopefully if then maybe" kind of moment. 

And I'd expect the reviews to all be mixed. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 11:55am

RippedMan said: "It's a very "This could maybe one day hopefully if then maybe" kind of moment.

Exactly. The term "stunt casting" doesn't apply. 

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 11:55am

Saw the matinee yesterday.  Wasn’t expecting much and it delivered on not exceeding expectations.  Didn’t know anything about the cast (until I read it here).  So Van Hughes went on for Russell.  I thought he was fine, as all the actors, didn’t have a clue that he wasn’t the regular lead.  The music was unmemorable.  Very different vibe watching this show after seeing “Some Like It Hot” the night before.

Cases Likes was good as William, like an earlier poster stated, sign him for Back to the Future (it needs all the help it can get).  I liked the mother, although she reminded me of Ellen Page.  Like others have posted.  It’s ok, not groundbreaking.  I thought it was more like DEH but without the memorable music and angst with a dash of Rock of Ages.

I had gotten TDF tickets and had great seats, Row G orch center.  I started to fall asleep in the later half of the first act.  Too many bland ballads mostly sung by Penny Lane.

I guess it might do well?  Hard to say, I heard ppl walking out saying “It was the BEST” and wondered if we saw the same show.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 11:57am

Imagine what Jakeim Hart is thinking after hearing Jimmy Fallon might take over his role at random perfs. Probably not how he imagined his Broadway debut to go. 

[dan94]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 5:35pm

I saw this last night. Unfortunately can't say I enjoyed it. 

The show banks on you having a connection to the movie and to cultural references from the time period. I hadn't seen the movie. The plot is easy to follow but the character development is pretty non-existent. The book is slim, it feels like there are 5 lines and a song, 5 lines and a song, repeat for 2.5 hours. The characters can't develop in the book because of how little book there is, and in the score they are stuck repeating "I'm not here to make friends" 50x.

It's not sung through but there are endless songs (the Playbill lists 17 in Act One and 15 in Act Two). Because there are so many songs no song is given the chance to make an impression. Or, there was so much singing that in effect nothing was sung.

I found it to be extremely repetitive, which also manifested visually. 90% of the action during Act One seemed to be staged on a 4 foot strip that runs up and down center stage. Act Two was still very center stage focused, but there were a couple of scenes stage right/stage left which at least gave the eye somewhere different to look.

I'm very interested in what the critics will make of the show. I will remember this one for a long time, and not for good reasons.

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 6:46pm

"It's a very "This could maybe one day hopefully if then maybe" kind of moment.

"And I'd expect the reviews to all be mixed."

I agree, I can't see this show getting "raves" but also don't think it will get "trashed". I would like to see it but can't get to NYC until after the holidays. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 9:33pm

Mixed would be a blessing now. Haven't read one good review for this show yet.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 9:35pm

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/03/theater/almost-famous-review.html

"In ‘Almost Famous,’ the Heart of Rock ’n’ Roll Flatlines

Cameron Crowe’s 2000 film, set in the world of bands and groupies, does not survive its Broadway musical transplant."

Ouch.

[pethian]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 9:38pm

As I read these bleak reviews I cannot help but wonder about why the reviews for the show were so rapturous when it was on the West Coast. I've seen this happen before and often. West Coast raves, East Coast pans...and vice versa. What is that about?

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 9:42pm

New Yorkers are harsher. It's a fun show, a replica of the movie, and it does not reinvent the wheel. I think it will do alright honestly, critics opinions are becoming increasingly less important to ticket buyers. 

[DaveyG]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 9:46pm

pethian said: "As I read these bleak reviews I cannot help but wonder about why the reviews for the show were so rapturous when it was on the West Coast. I've seen this happen before and often. West Coast raves, East Coast pans...and vice versa. What is that about?"

Charles McNulty knows absolutely nothing about musicals. Never has, never will.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 9:48pm

The box office isn’t exactly… on fire… 

And it’s really not about audiences but about critics. They want to be the one to give the glowing reviews to the next big hit Broadway show. It seems most out of town tryouts get decent to positive reviews. (which made something like Devil Wears Prada even juicer). 
 

Any movie to musical adaption is going to be an uphill battle. Why would I spend $100+ for something I can see on Netflix? 

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 9:51pm

Yikes.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 9:54pm

“Almost.”

Fixed it. 

Updated On: 11/3/22 at 09:54 PM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 10:05pm

DTLI Consensus: It’s not happening - at least, not on Broadway. 

7 negative (including the NYT), 5 mixed, 2 positive.

 https://didtheylikeit.com/shows/almost-famous/

 

Updated On: 11/3/22 at 10:05 PM

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 11:01pm

I find it amusing that all three reviews I’ve read so far described Casey Likes’ performance as “appealing.”

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 11:06pm

i agree that reviews dont dictate success the way they used to, but i cant remember the last time a poorly reviewed show, without a wow factor built-in sell (like MJ's music, like Hugh Jackman) took off. Maybe I'm misremembering. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 11:12pm

Those aren't great. About as middling as you can get, with the NYT negativity tipping the scale down. Indifference won't sell tickets, and this is a show that needed strong reviews. Depending on the ad campaign they have planned and money in the bank, this could be gone in January. $575K last week is not a good start, assuming it costs somewhere in the 650 range or higher to just break even.

It's an entertaining show with some nice tunes and performances.

Updated On: 11/4/22 at 11:12 PM

[barcelona20]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 11:13pm

Disappointed to read these reviews. Was hoping this show would be great given the talents involved. Can't see this lasting into 2023 now.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 11:13pm

Ouch. Well, I love this show. I’ve seen it three times so far and will go back again in a few weeks. I can’t see it lasting a long time now which I think is a shame. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/3/22 at 11:17pm

Tom Kitt may just have his next High Fidelity, grosses aren’t looking so good right now. 
Dougal Flopguy is on speed dial.