The Post is mixed with **1/2 stars out of ****. Another rave for Butz.
"The big idea in Terrence McNally's book is to tell the story as a '60s-style TV variety show. As in those programs, the orchestra sits onstage, which limits the options of director Jack O'Brien and choreographer Jerry Mitchell.
The latter's style feels particularly cramped. For each winning number -- "Doctor's Orders" brings on the sex-ay -- there's a perfunctory one like "(Our) Family Tree," in which dancers bafflingly affix ribbons to the stage.
It's hard to build momentum anyway, because every time Marc Shaiman's playful pop score threatens to take off, a character starts blathering on. Less talking, more singing, please!" Full review
Joel Grey is a legend, but he doesn't deserve a nomination for Anything Goes. If we're going to nominate anyone from that show in featured, it should be Adam Godley or John McMartin, both of whom give funnier and more memorable performances than Grey.
"Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos."-Stephen Sondheim
I wonder if the Best Musical race here is still between Catch Me and Book of Mormon...or if Priscilla Queen of the Desert is going to be the other front runner maybe?
I wonder if the Best Musical race here is still between Catch Me and Book of Mormon...or if Priscilla Queen of the Desert is going to be the other front runner maybe?
I think the general consensus is that SISTER ACT is going to get mixed to positive reviews, and if that's right, the closest threat BOOK OF MORMON will see is probably SISTER ACT. But it really doesn't matter because nothing can topple MORMON at this point in the game.
I'd say PRICILLA's reviews were pretty in line with the one's we're seeing for CATCH ME. I agree with WiCkEDrOcKS that SISTER ACT poses the biggest threat to MORMON right now. I'd also be willing to bet they snub PRICILLA for CATCH ME and THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
I was expecting even worse reviews, I wish they had asked me before making a musical out of this story. I'd have told them "Don't do it!!!", this musical is a waste of talent.
Bwahahaha! Love, the only thing anyone would ever ask you for is directions to the bath house.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
I still think it's gonna be SISTER ACT, PRISCILLA, CATCH ME, and MORMON. Predictable and safe.
Unless they do decide to substitute CATCH ME or PRISCILLA for SCOTTSBORO, which would be very exciting. I have yet to see PRISCILLA or SISTER ACT (I see the latter the first week in May), but SCOTTSBORO is neck-and-neck with MORMON for the best musical of this season. At least in my mind.
I don't know, the Tony nominators have a habit of ignoring highly anticipated shows that disappoint in favor of something that merely wasn't quite as bad as people were expecting. Such as Million Dollar Quartet over The Addams Family last year, Rock of Ages over 9 to 5 in 2009, or Cry-Baby over A Catered Affair in 2008.
But the difference is that A CATERED AFFAIR, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, and 9 TO 5 all got worse reviews than CATCH ME. At least they were all panned in the only publication that holds any clout as far as theater goes, The Times. CATCH ME's review is not great, that's for sure, but he does have some positive things to say about it, mostly in reference to Butz. But at least it's something.
Yikes! The current aggregated grade on Stagegrade is a C-! I wasn't expecting the reviews to be that bad. Not all of the reviews the site uses to calculate the grade have come in, but I doubt the grade will shift drastically.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
The Tony committee meets soon. And, yes, you are right Curtainpulldowner...they could petition for featured. It will be interesting to see what happens.
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
"Dear BWW photographer from the red carpet. Edit, edit, edit. Sometimes the zoom lens isn't necessary"
Can I add: Just because you took it doesn't mean it needs to be posted.
CurtainPullDowner, I don't think many of the bloggers gushing over Aaron Tveit are necessarily concerned with a Tony-worthy musical theatre performance.
Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never
knowing how
"Dear BWW photographer from the red carpet. Edit, edit, edit. Sometimes the zoom lens isn't necessary."
You can always spot a photo by Walter McBride. His "push in on the pimple" approach to photography rarely makes anyone look good. I'm surprised BWW still continues to use him.