Ain't Too Proud the next Jersey Boys?

The original pre-Broadway staging at Berkeley Rep was VERY Jersey Boys. Des McAnuff directed both pieces and the staging/production design mimicked JB considerably. The book was close to JB as well, but constructed very piecemeal by comparison. The musical numbers and the performers shown very brightly throughout. Audiences of a certain age should eat it up.

Theatrefanboy1 said: "I sure hope it doesn’t out perform the Cher show. Friends in Toronto went to see it and weren’t too impressed they thought it was more a Jersey boys lite. And a been there done that type of show"

I tend to agree with your assessment, but think it will have a healthy run. Out-of-towners will love it and locals will probably tolerate it because of the Motown catalog and the [possible] star-making turn from one of the actors. Can't speculate how The Cher Show will stand up to it box office-wise.

"I tend to agree with your assessment, but think it will have a healthy run. Out-of-towners will love it and locals will probably tolerate it because of the Motown catalog and the [possible] star-making turn from one of the actor."

I am personally sick of every pop star basically having a Broadway show but agree with you on this show for the reasons you stated.

I give it less than a year. Saw it in DC and it could not have been blander.

Booking the Imperial wasn't the best move either. The show isn't that big.

I disagree with the opinion of the poster above who saw it in DC and thought it bland. I also saw it in DC and thought it to be incredibly entertaining. The music was, of course, great as was the choreography. And it broke box office records at the Eisenhower Theater. But one’s opinion is one’s opinion.

I saw it in Los Angeles and thought it was probably the worst thing I’ve seen in the last five years it made SUMMER look like Shaw. I would never call it bland though. It was offensively bad. Bland would’ve been an upgrade.

which probably means it will be a hit







msac0904 said: "RaisedOnMusicals said: "I disagree with the opinion of the poster above who saw it in DC and thought it bland. I also saw it in DC and thought it to be incredibly entertaining. The music was, of course, great as was the choreography. And it broke box office records at the Eisenhower Theater. But one’s opinion is one’s opinion."

I'm glad to hear that. I was surprised and disappointed when I read that initial review from the DC show. With the music alone I definitely can't see this being bland but of course opinions will vary. Thanks for the feedback.

"

Saw it in LA and was throughly impressed with the production, the book, the performances and of course the songs.

This has the makings of a huge heartfelt hit

South Fl Marc said: "VernonGersch said: "Saw it in LA and was throughly impressed with the production, the book, the performances and of course the songs.

This has the makings of a huge heartfelt hit"

^ I saw the shown in DC. It was boring and bland. Sure, it could be a hit on broadway for all the wrong reasons. Pure jukebox crap.

"

You understand people have different opinions correct? You're stating it as fact, and it seems like you're correcting him. You don't seem to like jukebox musicals so I'm not sure why you would even see this then

You understand people have different opinions correct? You're stating it as fact, and it seems like you're correcting him.

Do YOU understand people have different opinions? Because every single poster can write down whatever opinion they want and press "post message". You don't get to monitor how opinions are expressed.

I am stating this as my truth: It was GARBAGE. Have a good day!

I am personally sick of every pop star basically having a Broadway show but agree with you on this show for the reasons you stated.

Because there are only about a dozen pop stars?

bwayphreak234 said: "I saw this last night, andI already said this in the first preview thread, but I just do not understand how this show has had four long out of town tryouts and is still so bad. If I hadn't known better, I would have assumed that the show was opening cold on Broadway. One thing is for sure though, Jersey Boys this ain't!"

It's been pretty clear for a while that you don't think much of this show which is fine. No criticism intended. But what about the show seems to make it so appealing to audiences. The show has broken box office records everywhere it's played. And the reviews haven't been that bad either. (The one I'm thinking of was Peter Marks in the WAPO). And here's a quote from the LA Times review:

The show, which opened Friday at the Ahmanson Theatre under the propulsive direction of Des McAnuff, is better at conveying the band’s story through the music than through Dominique Morisseau’s book. The narrative is loose and conventional, but nothing can get in the way of the production’s vibrancy when the actors are grooving at full tilt.

I'm not expecting very good reviews in NY where the critics are pretty much done with jukebox musicals. But something about the show seems to resonate in a positive way.