FLYING OVER SUNSET Reviews — Page 3

“Boring” is the last word I’d use to describe this.

RippedMan said: "Not sure this show would have benefited as much from an out-of-town as the space is so unique and it was clearly designed for that specific space.

So, now that everyone's saying it's a snooze. Is the technical production worth seeing? Does the set do anything cool? Is the space used in an interesting way? This was high on my list for a trip in Jan but now I'm not sure."

Whatever you do, buy a discounted ticked if you decide to go. You should be able to get something for 29 dollars.

What’s funny is how I said it’s the last word that I would use. Not you.

I weighed in several times on the show, initially with "the glass is half full." But the reviews were decidedly of a piece, a fairly unified dissection of what went wrong -- let's reductively say, act 2 is the tent pole here -- and not the "all over the map" prognosis that some predicted. About 3 of the reviews weighted the positives more than the negative, and many critics touted the show's ambitions. But I've yet to read a major outlier that seemed to see a different piece in the Beaumont.

Now what? Are there subscribers to carry the show through January - February? I got TDF on a Monday for a Wednesday afternoon and ended up in 3 house seats, Row K center. I don't know anyone who paid full price. Clearly, the show will run through the first week of January. But are there advance sales? Did anything in the press give them a shot? I imagine we'll see an ad campaign. The pull quotes for the company are stellar. But. But. A crushing disappointment, considering the collaborators. But the subject, and even the log line summary, always made it a tricky show commercially.

Updated On: 12/15/21 at 08:23 AM

Luscious said: "gibsons2 said: "And those reviews cemented my decision not to see this show... I love bizarre and different new material, especially if a great talent is involved, but I can't do boring. I kind of suspected it was. Glad I saved my time and didn't go."

A perfect example of what I refuse to allow any critic, professional or otherwise, to rob me of. Sorry some found it boring. For my theatre date and I, the time flew by and we didn’t want it to end. We were never bored. Far from it. For us, it was positively enchanting! Sadly, the majority of these reviews won’t put asses in seats. But on the bright side, it won’t be difficult or costly to find good seats to see the show again before the end of its run."

I never allow a critic's review to rob me of a show that I feel is worthy of seeing. I actually think most of the critics are despicable grumps who even managed to crap on Company which is a genuis perfection of a show. Diana and Mrs. Doubtfire both had awful reviews but high praise from the actual audience members on social media. I went based on that response and loved both shows. When both, social media and critics agree that the show is a bore, I'm not sure that even an easy $29 ticket would lure me in. I might be mistaken, some people loved this show. Every show finds its audience one way or another.

" Meaning they knew it was a turkey."

That's a pretty extreme characterization and inference. it is just as likely they knew it was a show with limited audience appeal and that an extension would likely not be required.

Not only does it make sense, it is empirical. Name me a show that was announced for the Beaumont—and then had the following show announced for performances beginning one month after the first one closed. Hint: never.

If it had been successful they could have transferred it to another house. L c t is associated with other shows that are not appearing in their home theatre structure. I also think they were taking covid into account when they did the scheduling because they knew theaters would not be overflowing with patrons.

LTC committing to the entire originally scheduled run hadn't crossed my mind, but historically, they haven't closed their shows based on critical reception {The Frogs ran despite pretty indifferent press; but of course the composer and star were factors.)

Are the subscriptions mostly after opening night? Would that provide LTC with not a sellout but enough audience? I'm wondering if the low attendance in previews (I saw a Wednesday matinee about 45% full) was due to the subscribers holding tickets after 12/13. I'm not savvy about subscriptions, obviously, at least not for B'way houses.

Auggie27 said: "LTC committing to the entire originally scheduled run hadn't crossed my mind, but historically, they haven't closed their shows based on critical reception {The Frogs ran despite pretty indifferent press; but of course the composer and star were factors.)

Are the subscriptions mostly after opening night? Would that provide LTC with not a sellout but enough audience? I'm wondering if the low attendance in previews (I saw a Wednesday matinee about 45% full) was due to the subscribers holding tickets after 12/13. I'm not savvy about subscriptions, obviously, at least not for B'way houses."

LCT is the most deep-pocketed nonprofit producing on Broadway, and in a typical year (ie: not this one) only a bit more than half of their revenue comes from ticket sales, so I think it's fair to say they don't really need the money to keep this one open.

Updated On: 12/16/21 at 02:43 PM

SmoothLover said: "It is not very flattering that everyone seems to comment on the the tap dance number as a highlight. Even though it was well done, it set itself apart from the rest of the material and illuminated its failures.

The NY Times review is as long winded as the 3 hour musical."

lol @ long winded.

Re Jesse Green’s opening gambit “nothing is as mystifying as another person’s high” I say: Party Pooper, you’re bringing me down lol!

Having now seen the official critical reaction, I’m putting Flying Over Sunset in the same category as Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Both Lincoln Center productions that I ADORED that were critical and commercial disappointments. Alas.

Updated On: 12/16/21 at 04:18 PM

Sutton Ross said: "What's funny was you calling this a "musical for adults" after the first preview.

I'm just curious, why is that funny? Would you recommend it to kids?

"

Acting like this show is some mature work that's only for those with refined tastes is hilarious.

"Acting like this show is some mature work that's only for those with refined tastes is hilarious."

The poster said it was musical for adults, there was no mention that the show was for people with "refined" tastes. The show is about famous people and their LSD trips so I think it is safe to say it is not for anybody under 21.