ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 7
ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - Reviews & News Thread
#150ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/3/22 at 11:23pm
EDSOSLO858 said: "Tom Kitt may just have his nextHigh Fidelity, grosses aren’t looking so good right now.
Dougal Flopguy is on speed dial."
Oh dang, I forgot he did the music for that! I never saw the show, but I did love the cast recording at the time.
I could use a prince to save me from my prince.
Jarethan
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
#151ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/3/22 at 11:25pm
In the old days, like 50 years ago, this would be posting a closing notice imminently…why lose more money if the show is never going to catch on? Sad but true. I do think the sooner the better, so addy Likes has a chance at being cast as Marty McFly. To me, he is that good.
I enjoyed this show modestly, but it is not good enough to be successful.
#152ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 8:48am
After reading these reviews, especially Jesse Green’s, I am on the fences of seeing this or not. The ticket prices are a bit ridiculous, especially after the reviews. I don’t know how long this will last. They could get a boost during the holidays, but I just cannot see audiences paying $200 for a show that didn’t get good reviews. Jordan, you said you enjoyed it. Is it really worth seeing?
The idea is to work and to experiment. Some things will be creatively successful, some things will succeed at the box office, and some things will only - which is the biggest only - teach you things that see the future. And they're probably as valuable as any of your successes. -Harold Prince
OhHiii
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/30/16
#153ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 9:03am
More and more, it seems that Next to Normal was truly an outlier for Kitt because to my knowledge he hasn’t had a score since that’s been anything better than mediocre at best.
verywellthensigh
Broadway Star Joined: 6/14/22
#154ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 9:22am
While Jesse Green's pan was harsh, it was also smart and insightful. It's nice to see a theater critic who gives a damn.
JaglinSays
Stand-by Joined: 5/22/14
#155ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 12:06pm
How does Tom Kitt keep getting hired?
Dave, Superhero, The Visitor, Flying Over Sunset and now Almost Famous. One bomb after another. 🤷🏻♂️
Thescapist29
Swing Joined: 12/9/13
#156ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 12:43pm
I think the reviews are a bit harsh. I saw the show earlier in the week and although there are certainly problems, it’s still a satisfying evening of theatre. The main issue I have with it is that it tries too hard to capture the film. The most obvious example of this is in the lack of original songs for the band Stillwater. I expected, and was even willing to forgive, the use of Tiny Dancer in the scene on the tour bus…the interpolation of around seven other previously recorded songs was a bit much. To suggest that an up and coming rock band would be performing only covers aside from their one hit is ridiculous. It also robs the show of a chance at giving us deeper insight into the characters. Why aren’t we hearing songs Russel has written that express his feelings about his ex, Penny, his role in the band?
mess I entertained? Yes. Do I think this show could have used a little more time in development? Absolutely.
BETTY22
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/29/13
#157ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 12:48pm
With very little advance and almost no reserve cash - it's difficult seeing this show making it into the new year.
I saw it and am afraid to report that the NYT is right. Too sad. Loved the movie
#158ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 1:37pm
Interesting that everyone keeps saying Likes should play Marty McFly. The guy who did it in London has already been announced for the Broadway production, but I'm glad Likes is maybe the one person who is getting a career boost from this production. We have a lot of mutual friends on FB so I almost feel like I know him, ha ha. The theatre community in Phoenix is really excited for his success. He has a couple movies coming out too, so when this inevitably closes in a couple months, he will likely focus on film for a while.
Sutton Ross
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
#159ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 1:38pm
Nope, completely untrue. There is no casting announcement for Marty on Broadway.
JSquared2
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/23/17
#160ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 1:40pm
The Distinctive Baritone said: "Interesting that everyone keeps saying Likes should play Marty McFly. The guy who did it in London has already been announced for the Broadway production, but I'm glad Likes is maybe the one person who is getting a career boost from this production.
No I don't believe that's correct. The only Broadway cast announced is Roger Bart as Doc Brown and Hugh Coles as GEORGE McFly. The rest of the NY cast remains TBA.
EllieRose2
Broadway Star Joined: 11/22/17
#161ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 1:46pm
so when this inevitably closes in a couple months....
To assume that is foolish and negative. People go to shows for many reasons, and what the critics say about it is very low on the list. It just opened and I'm sure it will get a holiday boost.
#162ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 1:52pm
Unfortunately, this show has no buzz and the negative reviews don't help. I take it the Shubert's are securing a new show for the spring for the Jacobs!
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
BorisTomashevsky
Broadway Star Joined: 4/30/22
#163ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 1:56pm
Pull a Merrick and close the thing.
Updated On: 11/4/22 at 01:56 PM
#164ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 1:59pm
EllieRose2 said: "so when this inevitably closes in a couple months....
To assume that is foolish and negative. People go to shows for many reasons, and what the critics say about it is very low on the list. It just opened and I'm sure it will get a holiday boost."
The show has not been selling particularly well and has lackluster word of mouth- without the support of positive reviews, it has little going for it in terms of moving tickets. To acknowledge this is not foolish or negative- it is what it is. It is very, very hard for a show to turn itself around without something driving ticket sales, whether it be a star name, great word of mouth among people who actually buy tickets, or a ton of press. This show has none.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Updated On: 11/4/22 at 01:59 PM
#165ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 2:00pm
JaglinSays said: "How does Tom Kitt keep getting hired?
Dave, Superhero, The Visitor, Flying Over Sunset and now Almost Famous. One bomb after another. ??♂️"
I get the sense that Tom Kitt is a safe pair of hands to create a score that resonates with modern/pop sensibilities (see also: SpongeBob and Jagged Little Pill). While sometimes I do think it can come across as a little generic, I do think he often can find magic too. I am particularly enjoying the release of 'No Friends' from the show. He also has shown through Flying Over Sunset that he can be quite versatile to create sounds in non-pop styles too. And I think that score has its magical moments (e.g. 'Flying Over Sunset' and 'How?'
. So I can see why he still gets hired. And I would still see anything he has written.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
CChang 2
Swing Joined: 10/4/22
#166ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 2:19pm
EllieRose2 said: "so when this inevitably closes in a couple months....
To assume that is foolish and negative. People go to shows for many reasons, and what the critics say about it is very low on the list. It just opened and I'm sure it will get a holiday boost."
I agree wholeheartedly with your opinion.
#167ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 2:32pm
The Producers and Marketing dept., among others, can not be happy this morning and certainly have a major uphill battle in getting people to buy tickets. This needed great reviews to generate more interest. This one is going to struggle. It’ll be interesting to see what “pull quotes” they are able to use.
RW3
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
#168ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 2:58pm
Bill Snibson said: "The Producers and Marketing dept., among others, can not be happy this morning and certainly have a major uphill battle in getting people to buy tickets. This needed great reviews to generate more interest. This one is going to struggle. It’ll be interesting to see what “pull quotes” they are able to use."
As of 2:58pm, there are no new pull quotes on the show's website.
#169ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 3:05pm
Eeek! You can’t really run with “Casey Likes is appealing” I suppose.
Updated On: 11/4/22 at 03:05 PM
#170ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 3:55pm
At least I know it’s not me after reading these reviews. The show isn’t horrible but not really good either. Will ppl spend $100’s for a mediocre show? At least they have a few weeks till SLIT opens and it gets compared to another movie to musical transfer, but done right.
rachelfran
Stand-by Joined: 8/24/17
#171ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 4:14pm
BuddyStarr said: "At least I know it’s not me after reading these reviews. The show isn’t horrible but not really good either. Will ppl spend $100’s for a mediocre show? At least they have a few weeks till SLIT opens and it gets compared to another movie to musical transfer, but done right."
Yes if nothing else I was relieved that my negative review wasn't an outlier. I think with the size of this cast the costs - unless sales pick up dramatically, it's not going to last very long. Glad to read that Casey has other things going on.
Luscious
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/20/05
#172ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 8:51pm
If it makes it through the holidays and closes after the new year, I can see PARADE transferring in the spring.
#173ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 9:03pm
I hear ya but even with rave reviews Parade is such a tough sell and a risk for a Producer
#174ALMOST FAMOUS On Broadway - P/reviews Thread
Posted: 11/4/22 at 9:07pm
Jeez, I don’t WANT the show to close, but as someone pointed out, fifty years ago - actually, even twenty years ago - any show that got a pan like that from both NYT and Variety would typically post a closing notice within a couple of weeks unless audience response was wildly different…which based on this thread doesn’t seem to be the case. Pointing out how dire the situation for this show isn’t “foolish,” it’s stating the obvious. Maybe I’m wrong. I hope I am.
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