Finding Neverland at ART -- Reviews & Thoughts- Page 10

[mikey2573]

Posted: 8/15/14 at 4:36pm

Curious what people are liking about the set? As I recall, it was a "decoupage" like backdrop with a clock and some other random stuff. I would call the set "serviceable" but not sure why anyone would point to it as an area of distinction for this show.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 8/15/14 at 4:38pm

I thinking knowing that a show is an out-of-town tryout (and that the show is a work in progress) can be two-fold for how critics review it: in one sense, they may be easier on it, knowing that changes can still be made. However, I also think this lends toward many reviewers heading into a pre-Broadway tryout looking for things they want changed (especially if they believe their critiques may have an actual effect on what changes get made) as opposed to sitting back and taking in the show as is. I think this focus on what the reviewers think should be changed to the show can sometimes lend to these reviews coming off more negative than intended or, like people are mentioning, faulting a show for not being the show the reviewers would create. I think it’s a fine line to walk; these reviews should serve as a guide for the production team looking to better their show, so it’s great when reviewers’ give specific comments on changes that could be made. But, I also think many reviewers are anxious to get their opinions heard on what direction they want the show to go in as opposed to offering suggestions based off of the direction the creators have decided to go (resulting in reviews that can sometimes seem like reviewers are comparing the show they saw onstage to an entirely different show that the reviewers have written in their minds).

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 8/15/14 at 11:59pm

Throughly enjoyed the show. Utterly entertained and quite moved in Act 2.. Great songs, brilliant innovative direction, performances anchored with humanity and truth and just a wonderful night at the theater. Both leads were terrific.

A reminder, a beautiful reminder, of why we all started our collective love for theater in the first place

Congrats this is a hit.

Huge standing ovation tonight.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/16/14 at 4:59am

Remember when NY critics didn't review out of town tryouts? You know, the polite thing to do.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/16/14 at 6:31am

The same could be said of patrons not discussing preview performances. Things change.

[chellylovesrent2]

Posted: 8/16/14 at 8:42am

I saw the show in July and I was blown away. It is such a creative show, and much better than I anticipated it to be. I wasn't a fan of the song "Better", but after the song and when J.M. Barrie met the family the energy picked up.
Mia Michael's choreography is brilliant, and I hope she'll be nominated and win a Tony.
Hopefully this show will last at least a few years on Broadway. It's a great show for families.
When the show opens on Broadway, I'm curious as to what changes they will have made.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 8/20/14 at 9:53am

http://nypost.com/2014/08/20/weinsteins-peter-pan-musical-may-never-land/

Well…..crap….good thing I'm seeing it next week.

Updated On: 8/20/14 at 09:53 AM

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 8/20/14 at 10:02am

I don't think Weinstein is going to give up so easily.

[newintown]

Posted: 8/20/14 at 10:07am

Two thoughts about some arguments here:

1) If the Times and other reviewers choose to travel to a city and review a ticket-selling show, what's wrong with that? If the local reviewers get to express their opinion in print, why not others? If the show then comes to another town, and the reviewers there think that the material has changed for the better or worse, then they can write about their new opinion. This idea that everyone has to "play nice" is distinctly American, suburban, and bourgeois. Which leads to -

2) In America, we are so incredibly horrified by the idea of "failure," many people can't even acknowledge that it exists. And so a new show that's receiving distinctly mixed reactions is still heralded as a success and it's going on to take Broadway by storm! (Even if it's rather clear that it'll probably do nothing of the kind without significant overhaul - the kind that takes more than 6 months to implement). Of course, if producers and their investors really want to pursue the folly of supporting commercial ventures that show no sign of succeeding, it's their choice - and no one is advocating any restrictions upon that choice. But cooler heads are also welcome to acknowledge the string of poor choices made by the teams of shows that pursue this course (like Chaplin, whose fate it doesn't seem improbable to predict Neverland could easily share).

[The Pud]

Posted: 8/22/14 at 11:06am

I wonder who will be flying into the Lunt Fontanne next year?

[mzk2004]

Posted: 8/22/14 at 12:26pm

Chaplin...and Wicked. Imagine if they'd listened to Variety.

[newintown]

Posted: 8/22/14 at 12:31pm

I don't remember Wicked getting entirely negative reviews from all its initial productions. Weren't they mixed, with praise and criticism?

[Princeton Returns]

Posted: 8/22/14 at 12:38pm

The fact that any review describes the show as twee worries me greatly. I'm a big fan of the film and it's not twee and not really a family friendly type of show

[Up In One]

Posted: 8/22/14 at 1:27pm

As it stands now the musical is a kids show with adult bits that don't belong. It would be far easier to keep going in that direction because making this adaptation come remotely close to the tone of the film would require wholesale rewriting and new creatives. But if they want want a family friendly - special effects driven - bland musical that wont offend anyone, even while talking about death and adultery, they are on the right track and can probably get there by the spring.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/22/14 at 1:32pm

No matter what, it will run for awhile as Harvey W has deep pockets. How deep they are and how far he is willing to dig into them will probably determined how long it will last.

[mzk2004]

Posted: 8/22/14 at 1:50pm

Wicked SF Variety review: http://variety.com/2003/legit/reviews/wicked-8-1200541131/

Not that I'm defending this show, but I'm unclear why everyone is getting so hung-up on reviews. The longest running shows on Broadway have not historically gotten high praise (Wicked, Mamma Mia, Phantom, Cats...)



Updated On: 8/22/14 at 01:50 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/22/14 at 2:00pm

Many worthy shows got bad reviews and closed prematurely. It goes both ways.

I am astonished at the success of Cats and Wicked. Many more worthy shows died before their time.

If Lord Brantley gives you a thumbs down, you might as well fold up your tent and steal away into the night.

Updated On: 8/22/14 at 02:00 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/25/14 at 8:09am

Can anyone that's been there recently, give me a current running time? TIA

[Junior Babcock]

Posted: 8/25/14 at 3:15pm

Two hours thirty minutes Saturday night.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/28/14 at 6:04pm

Ugh. They're recording a concept album of pop covers of songs from the show. Does this mean we won't get a Broadway cast album?

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Jessie-J-Will-Record-Song-for-FINDING-NEVERLAND-Concept-Album-20140828#.U_-nT5K9LCQ

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/29/14 at 6:07am

^the idea of a concept album has been out there for a while. Seems odd to me, too, since they've already announced Broadway.

Caught the show a second time. Definitely tighter, and some nice changes have occurred.

I thought front row, while interesting for a second viewing, was not the best for a first. There were a few things you miss out on being that close, most notable the Act I finale.

My dd wanted to stage door, as she's a huge Jeremy Jordan fan. Not only were he actors out incredibly fast, but it was civilized and even mellow -- maybe due to the fact it was inside. Just about everyone came out (we didn't trick around to the end) and were friendly and chatty. And I don't mind saying, Melanie Moore (SYTYCD, Peter Pan) was a pleasure for me to meet. I was a big fan of hers from SYTYCD, and was equally entranced by her onstage. I

[binau]

Posted: 8/29/14 at 6:57am

If the show is financially successful I am sure they will do an OBC (and maybe even if not). But I bet the strategy behind the concept album with pop songs is to get the music out there, for it to become known, maybe get some airplay all to potentially increase audience etc.

[downhillskier]

Posted: 8/29/14 at 8:28am

Saw the preview w/ my husband from the first row. Loved the opportunity to be so close to such wonderful talent. I felt more connected to the actors and saw real chemistry between Jeremy & Laura. I agree that we missed a lot of the total production, especially the Act I finale. In previews, the first act definately dragged, but that was forgotten when we were blown away by the second act.

Saw it again last week w/ my 27 year old niece that has dance training from row H. She was in heaven! Enjoyed the choreography and overall production much more, though didn't feel as connected to the actors. Two extremely different experiences, from different vantage points. Both enjoyable in their own way.

I felt the production was tightened up significantly since the preview, Does anyone know if it was frozen after opening night, or is it continuing to change throughout the ART run?

The autograph line was an unforgettable experience w/ my niece. We have never done stage door before. ART made it easy. Civilized, organized and so much fun!. I cannot say enough about how wonderful the interactions with the entire cast was. They all expressed warmth, friendliness and appreciation of the fans. We have to thank Jeremy & Laura for taking the time to pose w/ us and chat! We loved talking to them as well as Melanie, Jenna and Carolee, as well as the everyone else that we felt bad we did not know all their names. They all made the evening so special.

[downhillskier]

Posted: 8/29/14 at 8:30am

Also, would much rather have an original cast album than a concept album, though I can see the marketing behind it. Jennifer Hudson makes for enjoyable "American Idol" type entertainment.
Neverland was much more moving though, sung by the original cast. would like to have heard it again as a final encore at the end.


Updated On: 8/29/14 at 08:30 AM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 9/7/14 at 10:15pm

I made the trip to Boston to see this yesterday I thought it was near terrible. I can barely think of a single good thing to say about it except the singing was in tune (save for young Peter, whose voice appears to be changing).

The score was laughably bad, especially the soon to be camp classic "Circus of Your Mind," which was The Board of Governors and half of Wonderland rolled into one. That's even without mentioning the dancing mirror costumes which would have felt at home in Prince of Central Park or Into the Light!

The songs (and HORRID orchestrations) felt so out of place with the setting, time period, etc. Many felt like cut songs from The Pirate Queen and the others would have played well on Barney or Yo Gabba Gabba; the song for the four boys in act two was just too much.

The characters weren't all that developed and it never felt like there was much conflict or tension in the plot. Barrie is in a creative slump, but he sure gets over that quickly. The producer and actors have some doubts about the new play, but nothing is taken very seriously and you certainly aren't worried they're not going to pull it off.

When Sylvia begins coughing I thought, "well sure you're out of breath- you just led the whole town in a call and response Irish jig at the local pub. Who wouldn't be a little spent!?" Her fate comes out of nowhere, as does Carolee's last minute change of heart. Talk about an unearned character shift.

The choreography had a cohesive style, but I found it to be rather distracting, especially when the servants were dancing. Reminded me of the Death Takes a Holiday servants on speed.

Diane Paulus was the biggest letdown for me though. After being so wowed by Pippin there was just no magic here- only the effect with glitter impressed. I guess you can only do so much with this material, but she took flawed shows like Hair and Pippin and transformed them into something special. She needs to dig deeper and find some new ways to gild this turd.