FINDING NEVERLAND Reviews- Page 7

[Annetteiago]

Posted: 4/16/15 at 6:01pm

"Honestly (and I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist) but to me the theatre critics have it out for Weinstein. Sure, I'd be willing to accept that it's not a great show but I think Weinstein's presence and reputation have pushed the reviews into pan (no pun intended) territory."

 

I think he is a dick (Weinstein) who is very money orientated  and does not care about well anyone or anything. He keeps stunt casting to maximize the money he earns. 

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/16/15 at 6:07pm

"Sidetrack, a little: Can anyone weigh in on Row A (or B) of the Rear Mezz and what the view is like from there for this show? 
If anyone is wondering, I'm looking into tickets for May and they seem so scarce. I don't know how it's happening, but it's happening. "

 Saw it from Rear Mezz, Row C on the center aisle.  VERY good seat.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 4/16/15 at 9:16pm

"I saw the show and I can tell you those comments about Morrison and Grammar are RIGHT ON! Esp when compared to Jordan and McGrath "

 

Ok, I did not see it so I will not try to change your mind. My daughters did see "Finding Neverland" last week and loved the show and Morrison.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 4/16/15 at 9:29pm

What Addams Family had that Neverland doesn't is Nathan Lane, who managed to make hits out of not only that but The Odd Couple and It's Only a Play despite dismal reviews.  No correlation.

[Princeton Returns]

Posted: 4/17/15 at 8:44am

And this show has Matthew Morrison and Kelsey Grammer, when I was there it certainly seemed the majority of the audience were there for them. 

I can see this having a similar run to The Addams Family, I dont think it will be an immediate flop but may not survive much past cast change

Personally I think it deserved its reviews, such a wasted opportunity.

[Patash]

Posted: 4/17/15 at 12:17pm

"I have no interest in this show, regardless of reviews, but the fairy line, seriously? Ugh. What a terrible (and slightly homophobic) joke. I'm glad the show is getting called out on it."

 

Sorry, I'm gay and have been in theatre all my life. I found the line very funny and incredibly true.  Sometimes we "fairies" need to laugh at ourselves.  When the shoe fits, wear it, but wear it with a smile. 

[Jay94]

Posted: 4/17/15 at 12:34pm

This show will benefit from stunt casting. We will see whether Weinstein has the ability to wrangle some big names that will keep the show afloat.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 4/17/15 at 12:39pm

Beyond the fact that fairy has often been used as a derogatory way of referring to gay men, the line is terrible because it's a cheap and ****ty joke. If you're going to make a joke out of sexuality, at least try to make it one that wouldn't have been easy back in 1952. 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 4/17/15 at 12:45pm

"Sorry, I'm gay and have been in theatre all my life. I found the line very funny and incredibly true.  Sometimes we "fairies" need to laugh at ourselves.  When the shoe fits, wear it, but wear it with a smile."

Is not context relevant here?  You honestly believe that this glib remark made in a show celebrating only hetero normative love and sexuality doesn't  marginalize and thus minimize gay people? Especially those in the audience?  Especially gay children, many of whom are already tormented by stereotypical put-downs?  This is, after all, a family show. But before I'm accused of being "too PC", folks, bottom line: this ain't "The Producers."  Even more to the point, who the hell thought this hoary pre-"Boys In the Band" era one-liner was truly amusing in 2015?      

[MorningGlow2]

Posted: 4/17/15 at 1:28pm

Now that I've had the time to think this over a bit, I came to three conclusions.

1. Bad seat - I was sitting in front row mezz far house left. Although I "saw" everything happening on stage, I thought many of the theatrical design elements and blocking catered very strongly to center orchestra viewing and couldn't appreciate this fully from where I was sitting. I guess you could call this a poor design choice, but then again I've just been spoiled by Fun Home's in-the-round.

2. Potential - I was distracted the entire time thinking of how great this production could have been. I found most of the cast (the main roles anyway) very good and the story had some good material. What ruined it for me were the songs (not memorable at all - I can't hum a single tune), design (found many things over-designed and in a way that doesn't work well together), and execution (really Diane, what happened? Harvey get in the way?).

3. Audience - Perhaps one of the biggest detractors was the audience. Many there were not your usual theater goers, from never ending photo taking to constant chatter (there was an entire thread dedicated to this), and I found this lack of appreciation to the craft very frustrating more than anything else. Most of the people sitting around me were there only for Matthew Morrison and confused parents who bought tickets hoping to show their kids Peter Pan.

 

If there's one analogy I can make to wrap this up, the production felt like an over budget ride in an amusement park. I personally like theme parks better.

 

-----

Now that I wrote this down, not sure if any of this makes any sense lol. Apologies to you dear reader.

 

[LIOAVNE]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 1:55am

Lol...

http://www.didhelikeit.com/shows/finding-neverland-review.html

[rcwr]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 4:54pm

BWW: Finding Neverland Best Left Undiscovered

Updated On: 4/18/15 at 04:54 PM

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 4:57pm

Ha! And this guy has given good reviews to almost everything else that's opened since he's been here. I think the only thing I remember him disliking was Les Mis when it opened.

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 5:02pm

I was expecting mixed reviews but the critics really slaughtered this show.

[ukactor19842]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 5:13pm

I got a really feeling of mixed reviews from this message board pre-opening which made me want to go and discover this show myself but now I'm hearing such negative things. It's a shame but it just sounds like that every aspect of the musical was misaligned with the others and it completely lacked cohesion.

Disappointing as I was looking forward to seeing this. Looks like The King and I or An American In Paris now... I'd see Fun Home but I don't think my other half would enjoy it.

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 5:21pm

The reviews wouldn't have been half as bad if Harvey Weinstein wasn't producing it. Not all but some of the reviews reeked of bitter anger for him.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 5:24pm

"I was expecting mixed reviews but the critics really slaughtered this show."

Well, the grosses over the next few weeks will determine that.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 5:27pm

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this show. I am bummed about the critical reception it has received.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 5:28pm

Screw the reviewers, and screw the folks on this board. If it sounded like something you would have wanted to see before, make up your own mind and go anyway.

I'm impossible to please (see my Grumpy McGrumperson review over on the SOMETHING ROTTEN thread), and I had a great time at FINDING NEVERLAND. There's brilliance and great stagecraft in that show that should absolutely be seen. And the score has great beauty, which sets it apart from several other new shows of the season (FUN HOME excepted).

Even FUN HOME has its faults. AAIP is my absolute favorite of the season, and it too has major missteps in Act II. Musicals are hard. But this one really shines.

[ukactor19842]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 5:34pm

"Screw the reviewers, and screw the folks on this board. If it sounded like something you would have wanted to see before, make up your own mind and go anyway.
I'm impossible to please (see my Grumpy McGrumperson review over on the SOMETHING ROTTEN thread), and I had a great time at FINDING NEVERLAND. There's brilliance and great stagecraft in that show that should absolutely be seen. And the score has great beauty, which sets it apart from several other new shows of the season (FUN HOME excepted).
Even FUN HOME has its faults. AAIP is my absolute favorite of the season, and it too has major missteps in Act II. Musicals are hard. But this one really shines."

It seems people love or hate this show and there's not much middle ground. Can I ask you to give your top shows you've seen if FN is included in them?

I agree it's very important to make ones own mind up. My challenge is that I have limited time and tickets are expensive. If I could I'd happily sit through every show - I like to see anything faults and all to form my own opinion. I can only see 4 shows hence why I've been assessing everything so closely... Unfortunately with limited time and budget others opinions is all you can go on.

 

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 5:42pm

Actually it would more helpful to us to know YOUR favorite shows. That would tell us if Finding Neverland would be worth your while.

The shows playing right now that made me smile the most are, in order:

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS

ON THE TOWN

FUN HOME

ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

FINDING NEVERLAND

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN NIGHT-TIME

Following those might be a tie between THE KING AND I and John Cameron Mitchell's HEDWIG.

 

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 5:44pm

It's not a perfect show but I enjoyed it when I saw a really early preview and am seeing it again next week to see the finished product. Most people that I know who saw it enjoyed the show.

I think reviews and reviewers are not necessarily what I first consider when picking out what to see..especially if your options are limited. I personally would rather go on twitter/facebook/various websites/etc..and see what the people leaving the show are saying.

I find I often like things that critics hated and hate things that critics love. What does that say about me? Not sure...but I have been to enough theater over the years to trust my own opinion on what to see. If I make a bad choice, oh well.

[ukactor19842]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 5:47pm

Far enough. I tend to like new shows and new material. Especially being from the UK i enjoy seeing shows that I may not see there hence why FN peeked my interest.

Thus far I'm seeing Aladdin, Something Rotten, Gentlemans Guide.

Fun Home I'd like to see but not sure if my partner would be keen on it.

I think for me it's looking between The king and I or finding Neverland as my 4th show.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 6:02pm

Hmmm-- you may find the way Americans are portraying Britishers in SOMETHING ROTTEN, GENTLEMEN'S GUIDE, THE KING AND I, and FINDING NEVERLAND all rather suspect.

Godawful accents abound in each of those shows (except King and I) where they're even attempted at all (Something Rotten).

Much as I love FN, I'd recommend FUN HOME just to have some relief from the faux-British musical comedy lineup you've booked so far.

Updated On: 4/18/15 at 06:02 PM

[Back Row]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 6:04pm

If I was in your shoes, I would take the opportunity to see this production of The King and I, and gamble that Finding Neverland will be around the next time you visit New York. Regardless of what anyone may think of the show, there's no doubt that Weinstein has pushed all the right buttons to make it a commercial success, so it will be around for awhile.