FINDING NEVERLAND Reviews — Page 8

"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."

Did you see the show, Bilbo? If so, what did you think of it?

Your observation ties into some things I've been curious about.

Is this about a show that is just bad, or was it already doomed because of those who are involved in it and choices made in casting that people didn't agree with (Morrison over Jordan)? Had some already decided they weren't going to like it because of…fill in the blank.

Personally, I saw the show and thought it was good. I was in no way disappointed by what I saw. I really liked it and even thought it had some "wow" moments that impressed me.

It may not have the most hummable score I've experienced, but in the moment, throughout its telling of the story I found it quite nice. And the staging was beautiful.

David Cote of Time Out on NY 1 ripped Finding Neverland a big one .

Might this show be a new Legs Diamond - ripped by almost all the critics and closing after a big advance dried up?

Does anyone expect any nominations for it? By the way, before the reviews tried to get the concept album on Amazon but no record of it there.

Updated On: 4/18/15 at 11:16 PM

Ouch-- that LEGS DIAMOND line cuts me to the quick-- and I worked on that turkey for 6 months back in 1988 so I should know.

This show is nothing like that one-- FINDING NEVERLAND has an unerring capacity to bring utter delight to its audiences (including myself) despite missing with so many of the critics. Those audiences are huge (102% attendance last week) and roar their approval back at the stage. We on LEGS only wished we would have gotten the crowd reactions back at the Mark Hellinger Theater that are coming across the footlights these days at the Lunt-Fontanne.

What does 102% attendance mean?

Exactly.

I hope so too, yankeefan. I really had not one problem with it and think you'd enjoy it.

In fact, the performances, the music and the staging were really good, IMO. As I mentioned, there were even a couple of "wow" moments for me that I thought were really cool.

With regard to the critics, it can be nice when a critic does give a show you liked the thumbs up. But not because they're necessarily the "be all" and "end all" of opinions. But I've seen shows close that I thought were good. And I think it probably had to do with the fact that there are people who do listen to the critics so never even give it a chance.

I hope Neverland overcomes that hurdle, because based on what people are saying on here (largely), there seems to be a small chasm between what the critics said, and how the audiences are receiving it. That certainly was the case in the performance I saw too. The audience loved it.

Hopefully that continues.

"Saw the show tonight. Not a fan. Not at all.
"

Well, bully for you.

"With regard to the critics, it can be nice when a critic does give a show you liked the thumbs up. But not because they're necessarily the "be all" and "end all" of opinions. But I've seen shows close that I thought were good. And I think it probably had to do with the fact that there are people who do listen to the critics so never even give it a chance."

I agree and my gut feeling is "Finding Neverland" is going to get shut out during the award season which can hurt a show. IMO - this show will hang in there kind of like "If/Then" did with Idina Menzel. Once Matthew Morrison and Kelsey Grammer leave, it might be tougher for the show to survive without nominations/awards to use in advertisements. My cousin will be seeing it in early May and I will be interested in her opinion because she can be very picky - lol.

The industry grudge against this show is childish and in 10 years when we look back on this show and the "controversy" surrounding it, the industry is going to look petty and immature.

If the critics didn't like it that's fine, but you can tell there really is a political grudge against this show in the industry. Some of the reviews relished in taking jabs at Harvey.

I don't even like the show that much and still think Jeremy Jordan should have taken it to Broadway ( he clearly dodged a bullet) but come on, this is a bit much.

The problem is the Broadway industry is actually a very small industry. Everyone talks to everyone about everything. So if the means are there to really trash a show, it's not hard to do it. The show is good. Not great, but it didn't deserve the reviews it got. If Harvey wasn't producing it we wouldn't have seen the childish slaughtering of this show.

Updated On: 4/21/15 at 07:59 AM

"At the end of the day, the critics can say whatever they want, but if a show is of interest to me I will see it anyway. And sometimes I even like it. Seems to be much the same for others."

I agree. I wanted to see "Finding Neverland" because I really liked the movie and I have always wanted to see Matthew Morrison and Kelsey Grammer. My daughters saw it (previews) and loved it and they said the crowd really liked it that evening. Maybe it is not one of the top musicals this year but I really think if I get to see it I will have an enjoyable evening of theatre.

Some shows are critics' darlings. And some shows are crowd-pleasers. Based on its booming box office, 'Finding Neverland' is the latter. It's the only new Broadway musical that's been grossing over $1 million each week since it began previews. Family audiences are flocking to this show. On the awards front, it did get snubbed by the Outer Critics Circle, but it won 8 IRNE Awards (including Best Musical) for its A.R.T. production, and the Drama League nominated it for Best Musical and included Matthew Morrison and Kelsey Grammer for its list of Distinguished Performances. Most notably, with a $10 million advance, 'Neverland' isn't going anywhere soon. Harvey might get the last laugh.

Updated On: 4/23/15 at 03:11 AM