Bull Durham at Paper Mill- Page 2

[Jmuep2]

Posted: 10/10/25 at 4:17pm

I saw this yesterday and was pretty disappointed. I was bored senseless in Act One. Act Two was a little better. It gave me a couple of songs I didn't instantly forget. Overall, I was really unclear what the leads wanted till way too late. And I just kept thinking "this worked better as a movie." Definite can't see this transferring in this state. But the choreography worked and really made the thing not suck like it could have. 

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 10/12/25 at 12:10am

"I saw this yesterday and was pretty disappointed. I was bored senseless in Act One. Act Two was a little better. It gave me a couple of songs I didn't instantly forget. Overall, I was really unclear what the leads wanted till way too late. And I just kept thinking "this worked better as a movie." 

I was wondering if this musical concentrated more on the sexual part of the movie or the baseball story. I am guessing this was more about "Annie" and who she would "hook" up with during the baseball season. The funniest and IMO best scenes in the movie were the baseball bits between Costner and Robbins. I have not seen the show, but I did not see this being a musical based on a movie that would work well.

[always bway]

Posted: 10/12/25 at 10:58am

Saw this last week. It plays like a copy of a copy of a copy of a musical. Songs all sound like something you have heard before, but can't really place, jokes are middling at best, Bruni's direction is simple and bland, and choreography can be exchanged for any number of Bergasse's other male heavy numbers. Same moves over and over again in every show. 

Nothing additive or theatrical from the original material. Go watch the movie- much better acting and at least you watch it knowing it was done in the 80's. In 2025, to not approach the misogyny in a more palatable or creative way, seems a huge mistake.

[KrupYou]

Posted: 10/12/25 at 12:11pm

Bull Durham at Paper Mill feels like a tired echo of better musicals — familiar tunes, weak jokes, and direction so bland it barely registers.

Marc Bruni’s staging lacks imagination, while Joshua Bergasse’s choreography recycles the same macho moves he’s used in show after show.

Nothing fresh or theatrical emerges from the beloved 1988 film; instead, this revival exposes how outdated the material feels. Worst of all, it ignores the story’s glaring misogyny, offering no modern insight or clever twist.

In 2025, that’s not nostalgia — it’s negligence. Skip it and rewatch the movie.

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 10/13/25 at 10:30am

"Nothing fresh or theatrical emerges from the beloved 1988 film; instead, this revival exposes how outdated the material feels. Worst of all, it ignores the story’s glaring misogyny, offering no modern insight or clever twist.

In 2025, that’s not nostalgia — it’s negligence. Skip it and rewatch the movie."

I don't understand why producers try to do Broadway musical about sports. You cannot portray action on the field well and that is the essential part of shows about sports. Few can succeed if they take place mostly outside the playing field, example is the locker room. Sports movies do work at times because you actually see the game being played and if actors can look like they know how to play the game. Best a musical can do is some fancy dance moves that look nothing like actually playing the sport.

Did you see the tennis movie "Challengers" last year starring Zendaya? Big part of the plot is love triangle between three tennis players. She actually makes the two male tennis players play a match to decide who she will finally stay with in a relationship. Is that the kind of insight or clever twist you were looking for in "Bull Durham"?

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 10/13/25 at 11:25am

Zeppie2022 said: ""Nothing fresh or theatrical emerges from the beloved 1988 film; instead, this revival exposes how outdated the material feels. Worst of all, it ignores the story’s glaring misogyny, offering no modern insight or clever twist.

In 2025, that’s not nostalgia — it’s negligence. Skip it and rewatch the movie."

I don't understand why producers try to do Broadway musical about sports. You cannot portray action on the field well and that is the essential part of showsabout sports. Few can succeed if they take place mostly outside the playing field, example is the locker room. Sports movies do work at timesbecause you actually see the game being played and if actors can look like they know how to play the game. Best a musical can do is some fancy dance moves that look nothing like actually playing the sport.

Did you see the tennis movie "Challengers" last year starring Zendaya? Big part of the plot is love triangle between three tennis players. She actually makes the two male tennis players play a match to decide who she will finally stay with in a relationship. Is that the kind of insight or clever twist you were looking for in "Bull Durham"?"

Is this from a review?

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/13/25 at 12:06pm

I caught this this weekend and was surprised by how misogynistic the entire premise is. Granted, I do not know the movie... but there's only two female characters and their whole existence in the story is to sleep with members of the team. It's a hard sell for a family musical that has the line "You know how a woman's hair 'down there' is shaped like a triangle? They call it the bermuda triangle on account of a man can get lost down there" ... but then clarifies that that's supposed to be a compliment. This just wasn't for me. It was all about sex. Maybe if I knew the plot going in I wouldn't have been as shocked, but...

What gave you the impression that BULL DURHAM was family entertainment? Not everything is geared toward the Disney crowd. I haven't seen the show, so I can't comment on its merits, but there is nothing wrong with a show that is written for adults.

[1 Minute Critic]

Posted: 10/13/25 at 12:34pm

1 Minute Critic Review: 2 stars

While Major League Baseball winds down with the World Series just weeks away, Paper Mill Playhouse hopes to heat things up with its season opener, a musical version of the 1988 film Bull Durham. Unfortunately, it barely reaches a simmer and leaves audiences asking themselves, “Did this need to be a musical?” The hugely talented cast is stuck in a show with pacing more akin to golf than that of the great American pastime.

Bull Durham reminds us that musicals often spend years in the minor leagues. With Damn Yankees waiting in the wings at Arena Stage, Broadway may get its baseball musical this season after all. FULL REVIEW HERE
 

 

 

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 10/13/25 at 2:39pm

GottaGettaGimmick - This is not from a review. This is my response to poster who recently saw the show.

[Marcus Lycus]

Posted: 10/18/25 at 10:11pm

I’m selling three tickets to the show 40 bucks each.  I have a subscription, so I can change the date you want for any weekday or Sunday evening. Message me

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 10/22/25 at 9:56am

I don't often enjoy Laura Collins-Hughes' reviews and find her a very bland writer, but this was actually very well-written and a good read.

‘Bull Durham’ Review: This Musical Version Is a Bunt

Adapted for the stage, the baseball rom-com is now less sexy and sophisticated than the ’80s classic.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/theater/bull-durham-review-stage-musical.html

 

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 10/22/25 at 10:40am

MemorableUserName said: "I don't often enjoy Laura Collins-Hughes' reviews and find her a very bland writer, but this was actually verywell-written and a good read.

‘Bull Durham’ Review: This Musical Version Is a Bunt

Adapted for the stage, the baseball rom-com is now less sexy and sophisticated than the ’80s classic.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/theater/bull-durham-review-stage-musical.html

"

Anyone have an unlock code?

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/22/25 at 11:56am

Another fairly negative review, from TheaterMania:

At the risk of bludgeoning a metaphor, Bull Durham feels like minor league entertainment at major league prices. Content to coast on nostalgia, it’s largely forgotten by the time you reach the parking lot. After a decade in development, it still doesn’t seem ready for The Show.

Bull Durham Swings and Misses

[The Bandstand]

Posted: 10/22/25 at 1:17pm

If anyone needs tickets, I got you covered. Message me

[MezzA101]

Posted: 10/22/25 at 4:52pm

GottaGetAGimmick420 said: "MemorableUserName said: "I don't often enjoy Laura Collins-Hughes' reviews and find her a very bland writer, but this was actually verywell-written and a good read.

‘Bull Durham’ Review: This Musical Version Is a Bunt

Adapted for the stage, the baseball rom-com is now less sexy and sophisticated than the ’80s classic.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/theater/bull-durham-review-stage-musical.html

"

Anyone have an unlock code?"

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/theater/bull-durham-review-stage-musical.html?unlocked_article_code=1.vU8.VRlP.eVMP6NcQh4Ux&smid=nytcore-android-share

[KrupYou]

Posted: 10/22/25 at 5:07pm

Will the awful NYT review kill any chance of coming to Broadweay?

 

 

[The Bandstand]

Posted: 10/22/25 at 5:12pm

People are complaining Carmen is too old for this role.  I’m hearing they will go back into development and hire a whole new cast

[DaveyG]

Posted: 10/22/25 at 5:14pm

KrupYou said: "Will the awful NYT review kill any chance of coming to Broadweay?"

Probably. It's very difficult to raise tens of millions of dollars when the Times hates you. 

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/22/25 at 5:52pm

This show has been kicking around for a decade and doesn't seem to be in any better shape than what was on display in Atlanta. I saw the show a week ago and I literally can't remember a single song. At this point, the best move would be to throw everything out and start fresh. 

[violetsandroses]

Posted: 10/22/25 at 6:21pm

Frankly if the show isn't good after 10+ years of work....just let it go. Don't waste more money on something that won't ever get better. A newer, younger cast will NOT make up for deficiencies in material. 

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 10/22/25 at 6:31pm

"People are complaining Carmen is too old for this role.  I’m hearing they will go back into development and hire a whole new cast"

Carmen is about 10 years older than Sarandon was when she did "Bull Durham". Does it really show that much on stage? In SMASH (Broadway), Robyn Hurder was about 13 years older than Megan Hilty was when she played "Ivy Lynn" on TV series.

[Kad]

Posted: 10/22/25 at 6:42pm

Nobody is actually complaining about Cusack's age. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/22/25 at 6:49pm

DaveyG said: "KrupYou said: "Will the awful NYT review kill any chance of coming to Broadweay?"

Probably. It's very difficult to raise tens of millions of dollars when the Times hates you."

Especially in the current climate we're in, and how shy producers are about investing in new musicals. This has been in development forever and it's never been good. They've tried in multiple cities to middling reviews. Like horrible shows like Millions or Joy, it's best to let it go. 

Updated On: 10/22/25 at 06:49 PM

[seussical93]

Posted: 10/25/25 at 3:58pm

The Bandstand said: "If anyone needs tickets, I got you covered. Message me"

just messaged you - thanks!

[musicthatmakesmedance]

Posted: 10/26/25 at 10:34am

This was a chore to sit through. Carmen and Nik do what they can with weak material -- 2.5 hours of sex jokes. The choreography is strong, but as others have said, it's Joshua Bergasse on autopilot.