Kinky is so-so, but energetic; Pippin is tinsel and trappings masking a dull, banal show; Matilda is like swallowing cod liver oil to unpalatable music; Motown is not great art, but you get to hear a lot of great songs. It's a lot of money to pay to hear them, though.
If you're going to wait on the reviews of MOTOWN to decide then you might as well mark it off the list now. The critics are not going to be kind to it.
You can put me down as a vote for PIPPIN. To me it's a mix of darkness and an energetic flashy production which you'll only get either or from KINKY and MATILDA. I didn't know anything about it going in and I've seen it twice now.
"Pardon my prior Mcfee slip. I know how to spell her name. I just don't know how to type it." -Talulah
"Not really. You're bitter Drood closed and won't win Best Revival, and you won't accept that Pippin is a better production and that EVERYONE likes it better. Stop being a child."
I'm being a child? Re-read your post. I've seen almost everything this season, including things competing with Drood, and liked most of them. Just because you can't separate your childish emotions from the quality of productions you're seeing doesn't mean other people can't. EVERYONE doesn't like it better, actually, because I saw Pippin with friends and only one person of the group "got it".
No show is perfect, EVERYONE never likes something, and I've hated Pippin as a show since high school, so this production was VERY unlikely to change my mind anyway, which is a fact I've mentioned almost every time I've discussed it, which FYI I have always put a disclaimer on my reviews that it's my opinion and no one else's. I'm not sure why my disliking the show ruffles your feathers so much but it's a little sad. People have trashed shows I've LOVED on here and it doesn't make me that bitter and nasty.
So I'm only in the city for a short time and I only have time to see one show and I can tell a lot of people really like Pippin but it just doesn't seem like it'd be my kind of show. Yea I bet it's good and obviously Patina Miller would be fabulous in it but I'm really only interested in the 3 I've mentioned. I'll probably be seeing Kinky Boots because of ticket availability. Matilda will be pricy and hart to get tickets and by what it sounds like Motown may not be open by then. I appreciate all the help but keep sending suggestions especially people who've seen all 3 shows. Thanks everyone!
Okay maybe I'm wrong about Motown. But from what I've read through all these Kinky is the only one getting consistent reviews. The others have been mixed so I'll probably see Kinky.
You think MATILDA reviews have been mixed? Did you read the review thread? Also you should have asked in your original post which show had the best reviews. That's an entirely different topic.
"Pardon my prior Mcfee slip. I know how to spell her name. I just don't know how to type it." -Talulah
Yea well the New York Times review was great but what I've seen on here, and heard from friends has been a mix bag. Some said it's great, others say it's entertaining, and others say it's not that special. I'm just saying what I've heard from others.
Mike -- Enjoy Kinky Boots. Its a fun show that audiences (for the most part) have been eating up. The audience when I saw it last Saturday was one of the most energetic and appreciative houses I've seen at any b'way show.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Thanks dramamamma! I'm not completely sold on it yet but it just makes the most sense. I want to see all 3 of these shows but Matilda will be open a long time and I guess Motown will apparently. Kinky will be too but if it doesn't do well at the Tony's maybe it won't be open as long. Thanks!
Oh well from the response on here it's been almost all good and my friends are all saying it's good. Matilda is just getting mixed reviews constantly and I don't think it's worth spending the money on that yet.
And I just have to comment on the Kelly (and After Eight) vs. others (ncluding me) feud (or whatever you want to call it). I really don't think people mind that you disliked the show...as you say, it's impossible for everyone to universally like a show. That's fine. But I think what bothers people is HOW you say it. Just because you hated it doesn't mean it "should've never been dusted off and put on again," especially in light of the positive enthusiasm from many, many people. Others are really loving and being moved by this production, so it's kind of annoying that you still think it should've never been revived. It makes you seem a little selfish and not really open to other viewpoints. This is just how some of your Pippin comments read. When you explain your views in more detail, they are quite reasonable...but sometimes you sound a bit soundoffish. Just my two cents....again, I respect that you didn't like the show and I'm not trying to convince you that you should. Just trying to point out why you've been targeted with some criticism.
I think people should spend more time discussing their views on Pippin and less time discussing their views on my views on Pippin. :)
And I don't think I'm the first, last, or only person to utilize a snippy comment over a monologue on a message board. I don't need to constantly explain myself over and over again. Sorry.
This thread is so funny! I have seen three out of the four (Motown next month) and I'd rank 'em, number one, Pippin; number two, Matilda; number three, Kinky Boots.
I left Pippin floating on air, but it doesn't sound like we're able to sell you on it. Matilda got (and deserved) the best reviews of anything since Book of Mormon; just flat-out raves. And Kinky Boots was a lot of fun, but is not at the level of the other two. Motown I'm seeing for the music, because the story/book sounds pretty lame although the songs are terrific.
Matilda is one of those shows that stays with you (or at least me) long after you leave the theatre. In a good way! It's also one of those shows that would be great to say you saw the original cast.
I have not seen Kinky, but if you ever get back to NY, it looks like Matilda will be around for a while so you will probably get to see it eventually!
I saw Pippin on Saturday, and I loved it a lot, but not as much as I genuinely enjoyed Matilda and Kinky Boots. Kinky Boots left the biggest impact on me, and I was so amazingly pleased with it. Matilda is phenomenal as well. I love the music in both. I really recommend Kinky Boots, though. It is worth the viewing.
I'm probably too late to the party, but hey, another opinion never hurt anyone, right?
I ADORED Matilda. I thought it was wonderfully clever, inventively staged, beautifully performed. Just one of those shows where you feel the whole team (actors, designers, director, writers) sharing the exact same vision. And I do love my children's stories with a dash of snark.
Pippin, not among the original choices, was a delight to me. didn't know the show at all going in, but there were moments that were just so exciting, and Andrea Martin and Rachel Bay Jones were worth the price of admission alone. I did find the storytelling a little scattershot, some of the music less than wonderful, and a few of the performances strong but misguided (mostly Patina Miller who I think is amazing--just miscast here). Ultimately, it's a great time, but I found it overstaged and a touch unfocused.
Kinky Boots was also enjoyable but in a very MEH kind of way. The first 45 minutes are a slog, and other than Annaleigh Ashford in a tiny role, none of the performers really wowed me. It's fine, but not something I'd recommend if there are other options.
Motown is a hot mess. The music is wonderful, but...of course it is. I left at intermission and went home to listen to the originals. I'm not exaggerating.
Yea I appreciate all the suggestions. Motown is out of the question. The story seems good but apparently that book is dreadful. It's really between Kinky and I guess Pippin. I get it Matilda is a hit but it'll be here awhile so I don't need to see that quite yet even though it probably is one of those shows where I could say I saw the original cast but still, tickets will be too pricy and there won't be many good seats available. I appreciate the help everyone so keep sending the suggestions!
From the grosses so far it looks like you'll get into Pippin if you buy now before it opens. The others are all doing extremely well. If you want fun, heartfelt, amazing performances and an audience on fire - Kinky. If you want well crafted, brilliantly staged but cold and uninvolving - Matilda. If you havn't seen Pippin on Broadway and the idea of a circus theme excites you will have a great time there. If you saw the original Pippin I would work to get into Kinky or Matilda.
