DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES - Opening Night Critics' Reviews

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 1/26/24 at 11:15am

Kelli O’Hara and Brian d’Arcy James star in a searing new musical about a couple falling in love in 1950s New York and struggling against themselves to build their family. The New York Times calls Days of Wine and Roses “a jazzy, aching new musical with wells of compassion!” (Critic’s Pick) and The Washington Post raves, “Kelli O’Hara and Brian d’Arcy James soar! One of the best new musicals this year.”

Adapted from JP Miller’s 1962 film and original 1958 teleplay, composer & lyricist Adam Guettel (Floyd Collins) and playwright Craig Lucas (An American in Paris) reunite in their first collaboration since their acclaimed The Light in the Piazza. Directed by Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal, RENT).

The Broadway musical, a transfer of the acclaimed Atlantic Theater Company production, opens on Sunday, January 28, 2024 at Studio 54.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 10:37am

I’ll be very curious about tonight’s reviews. I haven’t really read the Previews thread because I wanted to wait until I had a chance to see the show, which I finally caught on a quick weekend trip last week. Not quite sure where this sits on the “Tony season” gauge, but it was riveting and Kelli was heartbreaking, and I love a well-crafted “artisan”/“prestige” score that’s not so dependent on commercial bops, as it were. I also caught Here We Are the day after and it was nice to see the other side of the “movies to musicals” spectrum with two cerebral and provocative (by today’s pop standards) pieces of dramatic/dark comedy musical theatre. 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 11:17am

It was truly a remarkable production. I definitely think this will get nods for Kelli and Brian as well as Score, and maybe add Direction and Book. Not sure if it will get a Best Musical nod (even though I hope it does ngl). This is a very underrated musical, in my opinion, and I hope it can find an audience during its run. Don't know if it will extend, but if you get the chance to see it, please do!

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 11:21am

My appreciation and love of this show only grew upon seeing it on Broadway after seeing it ATC last year. Two phenomenal performances from Kelli and Brian who really bring this show to life and rip your heart out. Simply stunning.

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 11:53am

I completely agree with that. I like it even more now from listening to the cast recording. I need to see it again. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 11:59am

As someone who respected and liked it at the Atlantic but developed a much greater appreciation after listening to the album (haven't seen it on Bway yet), I wonder if some of teh critics will be even more effusive on Broadway.

And, will those effusive notices make any significant mark on its ticket sales?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 2:09pm

This could very likely get near-universal raves and end up winning best musical, since that now has minimal effect on ticket sales or staying open. 

Updated On: 1/28/24 at 02:09 PM

[BETTY22]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 4:10pm

Given J Green relationship with the composers mother, will someone else review it from NYT?

I'm hoping for Elizabeth. 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 4:13pm

Laura Collins-Hughes reviewed it Off-Broadway and gave it a Critic’s Pick.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 7:04pm

A number of people have spoken about appreciating the show more after seeing it again or listening to the score a bunch of times.  That is fine for the people on this board, who see things multiple, in some case many, times.  (I am not talking about super-long runs either).

The average theatregoer does not do that.  I have four friends in the NYC area who, having seen it this early, mainly because they like Kellie O'Hara so much, were emphatic in telling me not to buy tickets when I make my Spring trip. They cited non-stop dreariness and a score so lacking in musicality (their words) that they could not imagine what it took for the leads to learn the songs.  I am expecting this show to get excellent reviews, but not appeal to 'the masses', which will be required to sustain a run (and maybe even make it to the scheduled closing date).

I know that people who have not seen a show should really not comment on it; I am not discussing its quality, simply sharing the reactions of people I know well, who are not in the habit of seeing things more than once if they dislike a lot / hate it the first time.  Bottom line: I am not sure that reviews are going to matter at all for this one.

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 7:20pm

I don’t think anyone here said they disliked it the first time, and then liked it the second time. We enjoyed it the first time, and like it even more now.  In my reaction after seeing, I said he’s no Richard Rodgers but I still enjoyed the score. Now I actually love it. Everyone should see it and decide for themselves what they think. And it’s absolutely not dreary. The last half of the show is all about finding Jesus and being sober. 

[theatergoer3]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 7:47pm

I saw this yesterday and admired it more than liked it. O'Hara and D'Arcy were incredible. 

I did hear complaints on the way out about it's tone and being too depressing so I wonder if that pops up in any reviews. I assume not and this will be a critical darling with mixed audience reviews. 

Updated On: 1/28/24 at 07:47 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 8:30pm

I haven't rooted for a show on this board for a few years, but this is one that I'm pulling for. It's haunted me since I saw it ten days ago, my full immersion into the world-building of the meticulously specific, evocative score enabled a full experience, one that I can't shake. I'm hoping for some career high notices for Guettel. And for my money, there aren't enough prizes to award O'Hara. It's the role of her career, and a performance that folds everything she does, masterfully, into an hour and forty-five minutes. It's thrilling, inspiring, and deserves to be honored. And seen.    

Updated On: 1/28/24 at 08:30 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 8:46pm

Theatermania's review is up:

 

https://www.theatermania.com/news/review-kelli-ohara-and-brian-darcy-james-tear-our-hearts-out-in-days-of-wine-and-roses_1727508/?fbclid=IwAR0Zy3QfOjX2grON6Pd317VFlInBzTCuPHiikzVh0cNqelqnGhq897nt4ik

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 9:07pm

Critic’s Pick

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/28/theater/days-of-wine-and-roses-review-broadway.html

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 9:15pm

As always, Sara Holdren creepts into my head and steals my thoughts more perfectly than I could ever articulate them. Very mixed from Vulture. Dont have a gift link to share.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 9:16pm

Four Stars from Time Out

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 9:29pm

DTLI Consensus: Raise your glass to the best new musical of the Broadway season, bar none.

9 positive (including the NYT), 1 mixed.

https://didtheylikeit.com/shows/days-of-wine-and-roses/

 

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 1/28/24 at 11:09pm

Honestly what did I miss? 
This should have been something I enjoyed. 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 1/29/24 at 7:30am

rosscoe(au) said: "Honestly what did I miss? This should have been something I enjoyed."

And it's okay if you didn't. There is nothing wrong with that. This show was not your cup of tea...or glass of scotch. It happens. 


 

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/29/24 at 1:03pm

I don't think I've ever enjoyed a post from you more. 

[BETTY22]

Posted: 1/29/24 at 1:10pm

Hoping these reviews make a big difference at the box office.

This show has been struggling during previews - hopefully, more people will see it. 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 1/30/24 at 10:19am

I don't think we can realistically expect the reviews to have much of an impact at the box office.I think we can be appreciative that such an adult, sophisticated musical is being offered on Broaday from a team that clearly are presenting it despite knowing it's unlikely to be a financial success.  The show will be rewarded with many Tony nominations, partly as a show of appreciation for it helping to keep Broadway from descending purely into mindless commercial entertainment. This is the definition of a prestige production.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 1/30/24 at 10:22am

Also -- they have got to figure out some better marketing approach on this show. In a recent interview, the ever opiniated Patti LuPone took aim at the marketing teams for Broadway shows that seem to have no idea how to sell their products. Of course, she is right, and while the subject matter for Wine and Roses is especially challenging, the marketing for the production is almost comedically inept and misleading.

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 1/30/24 at 10:35am

For an adult musical, the book feels eerily childish for the theme it depicts barring the motel scene, which I think is the highlight of the production. For what it is now, it feels rushed and more like connectors between songs than an organic component of the show.