Brooklyn picking up steam!

I heard that the grosses for this week are going to be be up again? I think Brooklyn is breaking past the reviews and will get the attention it deserves.

How? I don't understand! I haven't heard one good thing about it. I'm skeptical of the show, but maybe I'm just being stubborn. Is it good? And please don't say yes just because you love Eden Espinosa or something! From an unbiased standpoint, is it a quality musical?

i agree the show is very much about the visual - just listening to the cd doesn't do it justice - i mean the characters are street performers so all of the props and many of the costumes are made of things you might find on the street - which sounds gross and odd but is actually quite cool

you just have to go in with an open mind it's is very different from traditional theater but still great in its own way

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We needed some change on B'way...


BKLYN brought that

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Updated On: 1/12/05 at 11:34 PM

Brooklyn isn't the worst thing to ever happen to Broadway. But then again, it's not one of the best shows ever either. It's purely middle of the road, with a few killer moments (mainly vocally and due to Ramona Keller) but it won't be one of those shows like "A Chorus Line" that has everyone in unanimous cheers in 25 years when it gets a revival. IF it ever gets a revival.

However, with the small cast thing, it should have a long life in smaller theatre groups. Which rocks!

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I don't hate pop on principle. I just hate pop that makes Disney songs look as cynical and sophisticated as Sondheim.

BKLYN is an enjoyable night out, unlike Good Vibrations, which was a total bore, saw both of them rcently. For a different type also enjoyed Dame Edna and Mario, not so much woopi.

See BKLYN don't let other people make up you mind,with negativity/ audiences seem to be cheering.

"If you're a real theatre lover you have to go and see Brooklyn."

really??? i would think if you're a REAL theater lover, you would take a chance on the newer, better stuff off- and off-off Broadway and regional theater... Brooklyn does NOT a "real" theater lover make...

Updated On: 1/13/05 at 08:46 AM

Here is why I like Brooklyn:

It aknowledges the fact that this is a performance and that these are poor, stree folk telling the story, using what they can around them to help in setting time, place, costuming the actors, and adding other little fun things.

I feel that, with the exception of Kevin Anderson (I think that's his name, the fellow who plays Taylor Collins), the talent pool within Brooklyn is phenominal; Ramona Keller tears up all of her pieces, Eden Espinosa is a fabulous singer with an extraordinary range, Cleavante Derricks is an icon of Broadway and really shines in the production and Karen Olivia, though dreadfully underused in this production, is a really amazing performer.

I went in to Brooklyn having only heard the music samples of the four songs they put out on their website--with the old Streetsinger, before Cleavante came along. I knew that it would be something different and fresh and the show didn't disappoint. Sure, there were parts that got a little long (the whole Vietnam scene and crap with Taylor Collins), but overall I thought it was an amazing production. I honestly cried during "Raven"--the whole time.

And to make it all better, everyone was so friendly at the stage door. Ramona was a little diva-esque, but that's okay...She wasn't too bad. Everyone was so grateful that we had come to see their show--including John McDaniel. They all have such fun doing the show and they believe in it so strongly that unless you go in with a wall completely put up against the show, you can't help but believe in it as well.

But then, that's just my opinions on it. Check it out for yourself. Ticket prices are low and the theatre itself is rather intimate; not a bad seat, I don't think. Formulate your own opinion and don't base it all on the OBCR--having seen the show, I feel the OBCR does justice to the overall production, but the show really ought to be seen in person.

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Thibodeaux, I couldn't agree more. I saw "Wicked" this past Sat. evening. If you have to anazlyze every last thing you see, then this is probably not the show for you. It has it's flaws, no doubt about it. However, the performers, make up for it. Our reactions to singers and actors is subjective. Some people are going to hate vocalists who are considered brilliant, and people who are award winners are critisized by people who aren't involved in theater at all! So, everyone is not always going to agree on people on Broadway. I, however, like the style of singing that occurs in "Brooklyn." Those high belters like Eden and Romana, are amazing, in my opinion. I didn't think Kevin Anderson was that bad. Yes, that war sequence was much, much too long, but he was okay. I wasn't that impressed with Cleavante Derricks, but that's just me. Karin, yes, was underused. So, if you're looking to just sit and enjoy some good singing and a "cute" story line, you'll enjoy "Brooklyn." If you're lookin for a brilliant piece of work, probably not this show.

Now, as for the person "waiting for intermission," did you miss the MILLION signs that said "Brooklyn will be performed WITHOUT an INTERMISSION." They were plan as day, my friend.

The cast was very nice. I did get some pictures with Eden, Karen and Ramona (yes, she was the least friendly, with a little diva thing going on) but they signed and were quite humble. So, it was a nice experience for me. Not the best show I've seen, but not the worst either.

-Vincent

I agree with you, MagicToDo82! Let's not forget Kevin's Tony nomination for "Death of a Salesman" and his Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of Father Ray in "Nothing Sacred" on network TV in '97-98. He is a phenomenal actor and a terrific guy to boot! Oh, and today is his birthday so Happy Birthday, Kevin!! May we enjoy your talents for many more years to come!

they didnt have any good seats available when i tried like an hour before the show, so they cant be that bad.