FRANKIE & JOHNNY Reviews

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 9:59am

Post 'em here!

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 10:14am

It actually opened last night. The wrong date was published.

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 10:16am

It is having 2 opening nights.  The one last night was the red carpet and after party, the one tonight is the official press opening night and when all the reviews will be posted.

[Daniel M]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 11:26am

After reading a few mixed-to-negative reviews in the previews thread I suppose I had lowered expectations, but I attended last night’s red carpet opening and really enjoyed it. I agree that some scenes had pacing issues in act two but McDonald and Shannon gave outstanding performances throughout (a feat considering the length of the show).

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 11:58am

Daniel M said: "After reading a few mixed-to-negative reviews in the previews thread I suppose I had lowered expectations, but I attended last night’s red carpet opening and really enjoyed it. I agree that some scenes had pacing issues in act two but McDonald and Shannon gave outstanding performances throughout (a feat considering the length of the show)."

Just so it’s clear, there also many absolute raves in this thread. But I find it’s always better to go into a show with lower expectations and then be pleasantly surprised.

it will be interesting to see what the critics think tonight  I have no predictions either way, though I suspect we’ll see both ends of the spectrum  

 

 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 9:16pm

There’s an updating link to the reviews:

http://www.playbill.com/article/read-reviews-for-frankie-and-johnny-in-the-clair-de-lune-on-broadway

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 9:28pm

The Hollywood Reporter and Observer both to varying degrees acknowledge the criticisms on this thread, but ultimately are mostly positive about the production. Sadly, I can’t read the WSJ review because I don’t have a subscription.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 9:32pm

AM NY: Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune' review: Stellar cast lifts flimsy production

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.amny.com/amp/entertainment/frankie-and-johnny-in-the-clair-de-lune-review-1.31763434

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 9:36pm

Entertainment Weekly: Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon breathe fresh air into Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune: EW review

https://www.google.com/amp/s/ew.com/theater-reviews/2019/05/30/frankie-and-johnny-revival-review/amp/

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 9:40pm

Chicago Tribune: Frankie and Johnny' on Broadway is a beautiful balance between Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/sc-ent-frankie-johnny-broadway-review-0603-story,amp.html

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 9:44pm

New York Stage Review (Steven Suskin): 4 stars

http://nystagereview.com/2019/05/30/frankie-and-johnny-in-the-clair-de-lune-acting-brilliance-in-the-light-of-the-moon/

New York Stage Review (Jesse Oxfeld): 3 stars

http://nystagereview.com/2019/05/30/frankie-and-johnny-in-the-clare-de-lune-love-among-the-glamorous-downtrodden/

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 10:13pm

Jesse Green is a fan:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/30/theater/frankie-and-johnny-review-audra-mcdonald.html

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 10:14pm

Critic's Pick from Jesse Green

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/30/theater/frankie-and-johnny-review-audra-mcdonald.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Farts&action=click&contentCollection=arts&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 10:36pm

https://www.vulture.com/2019/05/theater-imperfection-and-sincerity-in-frankie-and-johnny.html

Mixed to positive from Sara Holdren. She points out the flaws in the script but applauds its sincerity and the amazing duo. 

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 10:51pm

I find myself repeatedly impressed by Sara Holdren’s reviews. They are well thought out and give a critical perspective that is vastly underrepresented in theatrical criticism.

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 5/31/19 at 12:50am

Hamilfan2 said: "It is having 2 opening nights. The one last night was the red carpet and after party, the one tonight is the official press opening night and when all the reviews will be posted."

Last night was the opening night. I was there tonight and there was absolutely no sign anywhere of it being an opening night, no stickers on the playbills, no nothing related to normal opening night activities. Disappointed cause I had never been to an opening night before and specifically chose this performance cause everything had May 30th listed as opening. As far as the show, I felt the AMNY review captured it for me. Both actors are supremely talented and giving masterful, nuanced performances but there's just not that much to the story. Waiting for the twist or big moment that kind of never came but a touching story nonetheless about two people who've both been thru life's ringer searching for a connection.

[bear88]

Posted: 5/31/19 at 3:52am

These are good reviews, but Sara Holdren - in her excellent review that I happen to agree with (funny how that happens) - does pinpoint a problem someone mentioned in the previews thread. It's an actors' showcase, and Shannon and McDonald are both very good actors. But the underlying premise of the play is a problem, despite the many lines and moments that work well as you're watching it.

I don't know if the largely positive notices will be enough to change the play's poor box office. May is just a very difficult time to open a new play, I think. There are too many other choices right now.

[astorian_ofthe_heart]

Posted: 5/31/19 at 9:58am

InTheBathroom1 said: "I find myself repeatedly impressed by Sara Holdren’s reviews. They are well thought out and give a critical perspective that is vastly underrepresented in theatrical criticism."

I completely agree. I find Sara Holdren's reviews best represent my feelings on the shows she writes about.

The show really is just an overstretched one-act. That's definitely a flaw in the script, but I tend to find Terrence McNally's scripts particularly long-winded and tiring. It really is a showcase for two show-stopping talents, and Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon really knock it out of the park. There's just a dated quality to the show itself that just doesn't work today. Shannon does his best to make the character more aloof than creepy, but the script just doesn't do him any favors. McDonald is just mind-blowing.

The ending seems to be pretty divisive among critics -- some of them loved it, some hated it. I actually really loved it.  Spoilers below.

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

They play the entire Clair de Lune, while sitting in almost total silence. That's 5+ minutes onstage with nothing but brushing their teeth. I found it absolutely lovely, especially given the context of the music of Clair de Lune. But I'm also a classical music junkie, and Clair de Lune is one of my all-time favorites. Overall, I thought it was a perfect ending for two characters.

The wall moving though was just unnecessary, and I literally wouldn't have noticed it had I not seen it in the previews thread here.

Great acting, beautiful production, lack-luster writing.

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/31/19 at 10:21am

UncleCharlie said: "Hamilfan2 said: "It is having 2 opening nights. The one last night was the red carpet and after party, the one tonight is the official press opening night and when all the reviews will be posted."

Last night was the opening night. I was there tonight and there was absolutely no sign anywhere of it being an opening night, no stickers on the playbills, no nothing related to normal opening night activities. Disappointed cause I had never been to an opening night before and specifically chose this performance cause everything had May 30th listed as opening. As far as the show, I felt the AMNY review captured it for me. Both actors are supremely talented and giving masterful, nuanced performances but there's just not that much to the story. Waiting for the twist or big moment that kind of never came but a touching story nonetheless about two people who've both been thru life's ringer searching for a connection."

Read Hamilfa2's comment above.

[Braniff Forever]

Posted: 5/31/19 at 1:04pm

Ugh! I couldn’t stand this show, and I had such high expectations for it, having read it in written form. But that did not translate to me when I watched it. On the positive side, the acting from both was very good. They kept my attention for the most part (although I did find myself slightly snoozing right before the first act ended. I always wish I could rewind it when that happens, lol. Luckily it doesn’t happen in most shows!) but....I found the overall play boring, boring! One of the worst shows on Broadway and I’ve seen more than 70 shows since 2015. I found even Be More Chill more entertaining than this play!! I put this play down with Wolf Hall Part 1 and The Ferryman iN plays I did not like (I know that everyone loves The Ferryman, but I found it really long and boring as well). Frankie and Johnny has nothing happening after the opening sex scene (which was well done). That’s it! For two hours they stand and sit around talking. About what? About how pathetic their lives have been? I mean, boring! The only reason to see this play is to see Audra and Michael Shannon act, although their chemistry didn’t seem that great. I guess I like plays with more than two characters, where people actually come and go and something feels like it’s happening. Not this snoozefest where nothing happens.

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 5/31/19 at 1:41pm

uncageg said: "Read Hamilfa2's comment above."

You mean the comment I reposted and specifically replied to? That comment? My point was it's ridiculous and meaningless to refer to the 30th as any sort of opening night, press or otherwise when all you're doing is posting reviews that could have easily been posted the night before when all the other activities traditionally related to opening night occurred. If, for whatever reason, they felt there was some benefit to having the reviews come out the day after opening night, fine, publish them then but don't list May 30th as "Opening Night" cause it's misleading to theatergoers.

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 5/31/19 at 1:49pm

I saw the show Tues. night- Michael Shannon told us at the stage door that for whatever reason the show is having sort of 2 opening nights so the reviews don't spoil the after party "I guess"- his words not mine.  I don't think it's industry standard and probably up to the Producers how they handle it, but for all intents and purposes of a star studded opening night celebration, that looks to have occured Wed. 

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 5/31/19 at 5:55pm

Braniff Forever said: "Ugh! I couldn’t stand this show, and I had such high expectations for it, having read it in written form. But that did not translate to me when I watched it. On the positive side, the acting from both was very good. They kept my attention for the most part (although I did find myself slightly snoozing right before the first act ended. I always wish I could rewind it when that happens, lol. Luckily it doesn’t happen in most shows!) but....I found the overall play boring, boring! One of the worst shows on Broadway and I’ve seen more than 70 shows since 2015. I found even Be More Chill more entertaining than this play!! I put this play down with Wolf Hall Part 1 and The Ferryman iN plays I did not like (I know that everyone loves The Ferryman, but I found it really long and boring as well). Frankie and Johnny has nothing happening after the opening sex scene (which was well done). That’s it! For two hours they stand and sit around talking. About what? About how pathetic their lives have been? I mean, boring! The only reason to see this play is to see Audra and Michael Shannon act, although their chemistry didn’t seem that great. I guess I like plays with more than two characters, where people actually come and go and something feels like it’s happening. Not this snoozefest where nothing happens. "

Please don’t ever watch the brilliant “Before” trilogy.

[CarmenA3]

Posted: 6/2/19 at 11:13am

If anyone is looking for a ticket, I can't use mine tonight. $48 Orch Row N just off center (got it via Audience Rewards). 

(I'm having issues posting on the sell board, so sharing here).

[BroadwayBen]

Posted: 6/2/19 at 12:25pm

I have to wonder if the timing of this show is its biggest obstacle.   There's so much hype and energy around all the Tony nominated shows, and its now summer, I don't know how they draw attention to this, even with the nice reviews.   They're sort of a "victim' of everyone else's success.  Who knew there would be so many successful plays this season?