Only those have been written by members of this board. A search should reveal a number of them.
None up yet...I imagine they should start appearing in a few hours...Talkin Broadway is usually the first to post from my experience...Or maybe George Bush is trying to pass legislature to prevent positive reviews of this show from coming out...
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/16/04
Beat me to it, pab. But there won't be any real reviews until tomorrow, probably, since opening night is tonight.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
The AP, Newsday, Talkin Broadway and Broadway.com are usually up around the time the opening night curtain goes up (6:30?). Theatremania is sometimes out a little after that. Brantley's should be online around 11-ish. Occasionally USA Today also pops up by midnight.
If this show doesn't receive extremely positive reviews all around, I will have lost all faith in humanity.
Oh good, glad to have the USA today review so I can line my cat's litter box with it.
Early review posted on an English Arts web site.
http://arts.monstersandcritics.com/reviews/article_2850.php/Review_of_La_Cage_aux_Folles
"No one, especially not a musical can change peoples minds, but it would be nice if everyone would realize that family values are created by families and not by the politicians who claim they are protecting them."
Not only is that statement grammatically challenged but it makes broad assumptions about musical theatre, and it's ablility to change a point of view. Wow, ignorance is all over the internet today.
http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=503644
Ken Mandelbaum's review.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
"Even the most convention-bound theatergoers won't need to fortify themselves with alcohol to remain shock-free through this alternately garish and pallid production of "La Cage aux Folles,"
Ben Brantley from the Times
That's about what I expected from Brantley.
Oh, well.
keeping my eyes peeled for that John Simon review
"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/04
Are reviews based on the critic's opening night experience, or what they saw through previews?
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
Simon's out next Monday.
a lot (not sure if all) critics review the show a night or two before the actual opening. that way they can get it published within a few hours after the show ends opening night.
"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/04
But can't they sometimes make changes right up to Opening? Is it fair?
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
No, it's usually frozen by the time critics come. This has been an accepted practice for years.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
For a couple of decades, critics have attended one of several "critics previews" (which are designated by each show's press agents) during the week before opening night (most of the major critics went to La Cage this past Tuesday and Wednesday). The show is completely frozen at that point anyway and it gives them the time to write a well-considered critique rather than having to scribble out something rushed in an hour or two to make deadline. Critics haven't attended opening nights since the early 80s.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
USA Today gives it three-and-a-half stars:
USA Today
it's gotta be easier to look at a show more objectively without all the excitement that would surround them attending opening night.
"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/04
Thanks - that makes sense, Margo!
So all the pressure is off for the performers 'cos opening night is just an excuse to get dolled up?
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
Kuchwara of the AP is mostly positive:
"If the sell is a little harder this time around, no matter. There's still its warmhearted, if jokey story (adapted by Harvey Fierstein), composer Jerry Herman's tuneful, Gallic-flavored melodies and some spiffy, athletic production numbers to remind audiences what originally caused all the fuss."
AP Review
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
Ellie,
EXACTLY! Opening night is just a big party for the cast, crew, producers and everyone associated with the show, their friends, spouses, significant others etc..... That's why the curtain is at 6:30 rather than 8 -- it gives everyone plenty of time to get to the after party, celebrate, blow off steam and have a good time (with nary a critic in sight). They're having a blast as we speak (except for maybe a couple of the producers and press agents) and they'll all have plenty of time to think about the reviews, good or bad, tomorrow.
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