End of the Rainbow Reviews — Page 3

It's scoring a 71 on Curtain Critic in the 15 reviews they have up there. Interesting how much disagreement there is about this show. http://www.curtaincritic.com/Shows/END_OF_THE_RAINBOW_REVIEWS-128.html

PJoey: If you wear a hoodie to RAINBOW, I gonna have you arrested.

Blogger Martha Wade Steketee provides an interesting analysis that concludes:

"...this is not Judy Garland but a fictional superficially researched version of similar character. This is one more use of the Garland persona that some will defend because it moved them, that others will defend by asserting that a fiction presenting a woman crawling on the floor is truer than the gossamer some Garland fans insist upon hearing....This may be Tracie Bennett’s diva. But there is no reason, based on available research, based on the words of the playwright himself, based on the legacy of recordings and filmed performances and conversations, that we should see this performance as Judy Garland."

http://msteketee.wordpress.com/2012/04/02/review-end-of-the-rainbow/

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"Nobody cares pj"

Yes they do: theatregoers with integrity care.

And theatregoers who've seen Tracie Bennett turn in great performances in great shows care.

The New York Daily News didn't seem to get posted last night. It's negative:

"Tribute and trash collide uneasily in “End of the Rainbow,” a jacked-up portrait of Judy Garland....It is not a pretty picture. Or an illuminating one.

Before an inevitable big meltdown, Judy drools on herself — first water, then booze — begs for pills, tosses tantrums, spews vulgarities and scratches her private parts.

Most memorably she downs tablets she pilfers from Anthony’s satchel only to learn they were for his sister’s spaniel. She scurries on all fours and cocks her leg doggy style. She finally rolls over and the piano player rubs her tummy. I, meanwhile, scratched my head — Why?"


http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/theater-review-rainbow-article-1.1054510

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No, it was not.

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For the sake of balance the NEW YORK DAILY NEWS review also said:

Bennett is something of a saving grace. She certainly gives her all. And while she doesn’t look or sound much like Judy — she is too lean and mean to suggest her frailty — she evokes the right desperation whenever she sings.

That is quite often. The story regularly shifts to the club and Judy belts hits like “Get Happy,” “Just in Time,” “You Made Me Love You” and “The Trolley Song.” These are the moments when “Rainbow” beams brightest.

Definitely worth going along to see this performance!

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For anyone that is interested there is an interesting analysis on Judy Garland, her legend and the play by Jesse Green entitled, "Does Judy Garland Still Matter?" in the April 9. 2012 issue of New York magazine.




Does Judy Garland Still Matter?

Updated On: 4/5/12 at 07:27 AM

"No, it was not"

Unless you knew her personally, how would you know?

You don't have to like the portrayal or appreciate it. But don't pretend to know her when you didn't.


EDIT: PJ, I do realize that you knew people very close to her. (So did I.) Close relatives, even. That doesn't mean the information you've been given wasn't filtered. I know that if my mother had a dark and unpleasant side, I wouldn't be talking it up every chance I got to anyone who would listen. Especially if I were extremely proud of her and loved her and her accomplishments. I would be fiercely loyal to her memory and my love for her. I would make sure that whatever "truth" I said about her, even the "bad stuff," would end in a positive light. Would I tell you or anyone else absolutely everything? Would my own mother have shown me her darkest moments? Would I even want to admit to myself that she had this uglier side. Hell no. I'm not saying that's definitely the case here. I wouldn't know either. But what I am saying is that you don't know the truth, personally, and you never will. So no use pretending. You're a second-hand witness at best. And implying otherwise only rings false on her behalf and lessens the truth, whatever that might be.

I will add that I'm personally not interested in seeing a sensational portrayal like this. It is very much a TMZ approach. But i won't tell you what is or isn't the truth, because I wasn't there. Neither were you.

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Updated On: 4/5/12 at 07:43 AM

!!!!!!

Distribute accordingly.

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I stand by what I said to Petal6 (Juggles): "No, it does not."

Getting on all fours and cocking her leg like a dog peeing was NOT Garland's sense of humor. It is Quilter's sense of humor and it is Bennett's sense of humor, but it was not Garland's. I stand by that statement.

You're a second-hand witness at best. And implying otherwise only rings false on her behalf and lessens the truth, whatever that might be.

This is exactly true--and it's the point I was making about what Petal6 (Juggles) said. Which is why I said "No, it was not."

Hard to believe, Besty ol' chap, but you're actually agreeing with me, as much as that must stick in your proverbial craw.

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Updated On: 4/5/12 at 09:17 AM

Those are not my reviews in this thread. They're the words of critics.

I see you deleted your claim to have known Garland onstage and off.

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Updated On: 4/5/12 at 05:37 PM

I do not or wish to explain myself to such people who know no better........... if you had American Talent, you wouldn't need a Brit to shake your tail feathers.......End Of Discussion !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!