Bright Star Reviews!

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 1:32am

It opens tonight (March 24)! Loved its catchy bluegrass songs and kind of cottage-by-the-sea vibe (well, not literally "by the sea" but you get what I mean). Hope it won't get slayed by critics!

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 9:07am

Oof.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 9:16am

What a bright and positive reviews thread! "Hope it doesn't get slated by critics" ??? Really? This is the type of post I'd mark offensive. 

Wheres LimelightMike when you need him... 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 9:19am

to be fair, OP said they enjoyed it and hopes it's not "slayed," not "slated."

[Broadway kid 2]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 10:30am

gypsy101 said: "to be fair, OP said they enjoyed it and hopes it's not "slayed," not "slated."

 

"

 

[TFMH18]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 11:24am

Well, since the show has already been reviewed in its out of town tryouts, I think we have a pretty good basis as to what kind of reviews we can expect. 

I predict the score will receive rapturous praise, as will the performances by Carmen Cusack, Paul Nolan and the rest of the cast. Notices for the story and book, which haven't changed considerably since their lukewarm critical reception during tryouts, will probably remain at that: lukewarm. 

I hope I am proven wrong and the show gets raves, as I do believe that would be its only real chance at catching on, but I don't see that happening, particularly with Brantley (this show so does not seem up his alley, based on what I have come to gleam about his preferences from his reviews). 

[SLSigafoos]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 11:30am

Most critics (not all) don't seem to love these happy-ending, teach-you-something-about-life kind of shows. So no, I wouldn't expect raves, even though I honestly think if you're judging the acting and singing (and musicians), then the show deserves raves. Steve Martin seems to be doing a pretty good job of being a one-man PR team and sharing all of the praise being heaped on him by social media users, and I know I've seen a few people on twitter say they saw the show based off of fan reviews posted online. Therefore, I'm hoping that even if critics aren't exactly kind to the show, the buzz generated by word of mouth of the people who HAVE seen it will help it along. Still trying to figure out why I haven't seen more ads for the show around NYC. I covered nearly 50 blocks on foot a few days ago, and didn't see anything for it anywhere. 

[haterobics]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 11:33am

SLSigafoos said: "I honestly think if you're judging the acting and singing (and musicians), then the show deserves raves."

 

So, if you care about lyrics and the book, this isn't your show?

[SLSigafoos]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 11:37am

haterobics said: "SLSigafoos said: "I honestly think if you're judging the acting and singing (and musicians), then the show deserves raves."

 

So, if you care about lyrics and the book, this isn't your show?"

 

I was generally reacting to the number of comments in the other thread, about the holes in the book and the complaints about the simplicity of the lyrics. Nothing about the lyrics bothered ME; it appears there were quite a few others who didn't love them. The book, I felt, could have been reworked in a few spots. But again, it was nothing that I thought needed a major overhaul. I felt that Act 1 was weaker than 2 and that it took a bit too long to come to the big "ah ha" moment of the story...neatly wrapping up 2.5 hours of interweaving 2 tales, in about 10 mins at the end. The big "ah ha" deserved more than what's written for the book, but I don't think they've made any changes, based off of comments of people who saw it last night and the night before.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 11:50am

Brantley will not be reviewing Bright Star. Isherwood reviewed it in the past.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/30/theater/bright-star-is-steve-martin-and-edie-brickells-new-show.html?_r=0
Updated On: 3/24/16 at 11:50 AM

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 11:52am

I so enjoyed the first preview performance I saw. I'm just a tad disappointed the production didn't change much in previews, because like so many others, I thought the plot points could have been stronger, but clearly after two out of town tryouts, what's on Broadway is the creative team's vision for this material and I wish them very well indeed.

 

 

[sklabam]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 11:53am

Some of you are such idiot catastrophe trolls. The show is considerably different than in La Jolla.

I've seen it in both. Waiting on reviews. Neither predicting gloom nor glee in the reviews thread. 

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 11:54am

haterobics said: "SLSigafoos said: "I honestly think if you're judging the acting and singing (and musicians), then the show deserves raves."


So, if you care about lyrics and the book, this isn't your show?"

 

I would agree with that assessment, haterobics. And I paid for my ticket.

 

[TFMH18]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 1:08pm

"Brantley will not be reviewing Bright Star. Isherwood reviewed it in the past."

 

This might be a dumb question, but does the out of town critic always stay with the show, reviewing it through all of its various incarnations? 

[JM226]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 1:54pm

USUALLY, YES. that is the norm.  guess not here... 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 1:58pm

^but it is following the norm, because Isherwood reviewed it out of town and will/has review(ed) it for its Broadway production.

[TFMH18]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 2:03pm

Forgive me again, if this is another dumb question: how do you know already who will be reviewing it tonight (and of course, I do mean who reviewed it some time recently and will have said review published tonight, but you know)? 

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 2:05pm

I thought this was explained upthread? Isherwood reviewed it in San Diego so presumably Isherwood will review it in New York. That's what happens 90% of the time. I don't know for a fact that that is happening.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 2:06pm

Wishing this show wonderful reviews from the theatre gods! I went to this show expecting nothing and I found it charming, well staged and  tuneful. Hope the critics agree!

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 3:28pm

Neonlightsxo is correct. Usually if Brantley or Isherwood have reviewed a show out of town or Off-Broadway, they'll re-review it if it comes to Broadway. If Isherwood has liked a show out of town, he has a history of amping up his praise when it comes to New York. It's rare to see a critic reverse himself, especially if a show has raised funds to come to Broadway, based in some measure to the favorable praise from the Times. Also, a Times critic re-reviews a show to avoid a possibly embarrassing situation: What if Isherwood gave a show a glowing or very positive review, and then it got a pan or dismissive one from Brantley? Or vice versa?

There are exceptions. Brantley wasn't crazy about ''Scottsboro Boys'' when he reviewed it at the Vineyard, so when it came to Broadway, it appears he took a pass, and let Isherwood review it.

Updated On: 3/24/16 at 03:28 PM

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 4:49pm

"Most critics (not all) don't seem to love these happy-ending, teach-you-something-about-life kind of shows."

 

Not to derail this thread, but I think the show would have worked better if it had taught you something and found a way to justify its happy ending. I'm far from the first one to advocate putting in more religion, but that's something that could have helped here.

[indytallguy]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 7:10pm

Pretty even-handed and thoughtful assessment (as you'd expect) from Jesse Green.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 7:20pm

Can we leave this thread alone and have the other be the "official" bright star review thread?