BAT OUT OF HELL [Professional] Reviews.

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 8/8/19 at 7:57pm

Hope it's okay to launch this review thread for BOOH. Please post links or full reviews as they become available.

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/8/19 at 9:10pm

A positive review from Theatermania. I see it this weekend and this review describes exactly what I am expecting and can't wait to see!

 

https://www.theatermania.com/off-broadway/reviews/bat-out-of-hell-is-this-summers-craziest-musical_89490.html

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 8/8/19 at 9:42pm

Howard Miller at Talkin' Broadway

https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/ob/08_08_19.html

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 8/8/19 at 9:48pm

New York Post ...two stars

https://nypost.com/2019/08/08/review-bat-out-of-hell-the-musical-pummels-the-senses/

[Sauja]

Posted: 8/8/19 at 9:56pm

Time Out NY "[It] may be a fail, but at least it's an epic one."

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/bat-out-of-hell-review-musical-jim-steinman

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 8/8/19 at 10:02pm

BWW now has the reviews clustered:

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-BAT-OUT-OF-HELL-Opens-At-City-Center-Read-The-Reviews-20190808

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 8/8/19 at 10:08pm

In his review in The Wrap, Robert Hofler calls BOOH "long-touring". It has never toured and that is very much a part of its history. Someone needs to be schooled in Musical-Comedy History 101.

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/8/19 at 10:25pm

Sho-Tunes-R-Us said: "In his review in The Wrap, Robert Hofler calls BOOH "long-touring". It has never toured and that is very much a part of its history. Someone needs to be schooled in Musical-Comedy History 101."

Actually, it did tour before arriving here. And the set is the touring set. It has been talked about here on the boards.

 

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 8/8/19 at 10:31pm

uncageg said: "Sho-Tunes-R-Us said: "In his review in The Wrap, Robert Hofler calls BOOH "long-touring". It has never toured and that is very much a part of its history. Someone needs to be schooled in Musical-Comedy History 101."

Actually, it did tour before arriving here. And the set is the touring set. It has been talked about here on the boards.

"

I'm given to understand that it played London and Toronto.  Does that constitute a tour?  The big scandal was that US was cancelled mere days before beginning.  

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/8/19 at 10:34pm

A mini tour then! Didn't it return to London after Toronto?

Updated On: 8/8/19 at 10:34 PM

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 8/8/19 at 10:44pm

I’d say these reviews are 💯 spot on. Totally crazy and campy but fun.

[ggersten]

Posted: 8/8/19 at 11:10pm

uncageg said: "A mini tour then! Didn't it return to London after Toronto?"

No. The show closed January 5, 2019.  And The Dominion still is an empty theatre.

It initially played in Manchester then the London Coliseum. I don't recall where it went then, but it  may have been Toronto and then returned to the Dominion in London where We Will Rock You played forever. 

 

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/8/19 at 11:29pm

I think it was Toronto then back to London. That is what I read.

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 8/9/19 at 12:20am

uncageg said: "A mini tour then! Didn't it return to London after Toronto?"

London, Toronto, London, (sit down or limited season), Toronto (when tour was to launched, but was scrapped).  This City Center engagement was supposed to be another tour stop.  I'm pretty certain that the producers are testing the waters for a resurrected tour.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 8/9/19 at 12:48am

This is the end.

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 8/9/19 at 2:31am

SouthernCakes said: "This is the end. "

Of civilization...or just this thread?  

Sorry.  Couldn't resist.  

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 8/9/19 at 2:37am

The NY Times was not very good.

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 8/9/19 at 2:49am

SmoothLover said: "The NY Times was not very good."

Doubt it matters for this show, but we'll see shortly if there is an uptick in sales due to reviews and/or word-of-mouth.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 8/9/19 at 12:05pm

The show started life in Manchester, England with the major London set. It was the shows out of town try out.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/9/19 at 1:41pm

I actually thought the New York Times review was... mixed to positive? There was definitely some harsh criticism for the book but overall I got the impression that she enjoyed the music and still had a good time? Maybe I'm wrong.

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 8/9/19 at 1:52pm

CATSNYrevival said: "I actually thought the New York Times review was... mixed to positive? There wasdefinitely some harsh criticism for the book but overall I got the impression that she enjoyed the music and still had a good time? Maybe I'm wrong."

I agree with your assessment.  Even with major caveats quite a few of the critics liked it.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 8/9/19 at 10:03pm

TL;DR: every review was mixed (either to negative or positive), and the consensus was "a hot mess, but entertaining if you like the music."

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 8/10/19 at 12:44am

Although there was a fair amount of ridicule which does not sell tickets...….Perhaps the Good Morning appearance on Monday will help sales which appear to be struggling.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 8/10/19 at 9:18am

Sho-Tunes-R-Us said: "SmoothLover said: "The NY Times was not very good."

Doubt it matters for this show, but we'll see shortly if there is an uptick in sales due to reviews and/or word-of-mouth."

These reviews aren't great, and neither is the word-of-mouth. Neither seem likely to lead to an uptick in sales. U.S. audiences just don't seem the interested in Jim Steinman's musicals. On the flip side, maybe it will reach cult status someday.

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 8/11/19 at 2:28am

And now....from BWW, right here.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-Review-Lena-Hall-and-Bradley-Dean-Devour-The-Stage-in-Jim-Steinmans-Wildly-Oddball-BAT-OUT-OF-HELL-20190810