Girl From the North Country Broadway Reviews

[squip]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 3:23pm

Happy opening to Girl From the North Country! This will be the space to discuss reviews.

Here is one from the Wall Street Journal: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wsj.com/amp/articles/girl-from-the-north-country-review-back-home-again-on-desolation-row-11583437370

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 6:32pm

I know opinions on this one are mixed (to say the least) but I adored it and think it might just be my favorite musical of the season. I'm hoping for raves, especially for Mare Winningham who deserves 10 Tony Awards for her performance. 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 6:52pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I know opinions on this one are mixed (to say the least) but I adored it and think it might just be my favorite musical of the season. I'm hoping for raves, especially for Mare Winningham who deserves 10 Tony Awards for her performance."

100% agreed, Jordan!

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 7:36pm

Jordan, I loved it also and hoping for raves also.

[broadway86]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 7:56pm

Definitely my favorite new musical of the season so far. Saw it over a week ago, and I’m still thinking about it. 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 8:12pm

David Cote wasn't a fan.
http://theaternewsonline.com/NYTheaterReviews/DEPRESSINGDYLAN.cfm

Matt Windman gives it 4 stars.
https://www.amny.com/news/arts-entertainment/theater/review-girl-from-the-north-country-is-a-genuinely-soulful-and-cathartic-experience/

[Tom-497]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 9:07pm

David Rooney in the Hollywood Reporter is very positive: "a rapturous act of theatrical storytelling."

Hollywood Reporter

[Tom-497]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 9:12pm

Daily Beast is very positive: "At the Public, this critic felt that—as beautifully sung, staged, and played as his music is—Bob Dylan can feel a little in the way of the drama in Girl From the North Country. His songs did not add to what we saw in front of us. No longer. Everything in this exquisite Broadway transfer is in perfectly rendered unison."

 

Daily Beast

 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 9:27pm

Robert Hofler was pretty mixed on it.
https://www.thewrap.com/girl-from-the-north-country-broadway-review-bob-dylan-conor-mcpherson-mare-winningham/

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 9:44pm

Chris Jones was quite fond of it.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/broadway/ct-ent-girl-north-country-broadway-review-0306-20200306-7gibw4k3vratfl5eijjamjzwua-story.html

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 9:48pm

Alexis Soloski gives it 4 out of 5 stars.
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2020/mar/05/girl-from-north-country-review-conor-mcpherson-bob-dylan-musical-belasco-theater-new-york?CMP=twt_a-culture_b-gdnculture

[Tom-497]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 9:52pm

Ben did not change his mind -- he still loves it.

NYT

 

[Tom-497]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 10:02pm

The NY Post is negative, with some good words for the music (2 out of 4 stars).

NY Post

[Tom-497]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 10:04pm

Financial Times is 4 out of 5 stars: 

You may often find yourself at a loss to say exactly what is going on. But Dylan’s songs have the same effect. And Simon Hale’s jaunty arrangements, performed by a small onstage band, bring out the music’s roots in prewar folk and country so that even the 1970s protest song “Hurricane” sounds oddly at home here. Despite all the broken dreams, Girl ends up resembling a joyously messy party that you wouldn’t want to miss.

FT

[BenElliott]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 10:13pm

Shocked that these reviews are so positive. I was expecting them to be lukewarm. I now know ten people that have seen it and every single one of them said the exact same thing. Everyone felt that it was a trope-ridden, depressing show with some beautifully sung Bob Dylan songs shoved in with a brilliant performance from Mare Winningham. None of us hated it, but all of us felt that it was an extremely flawed show. I was surprised that the opinion among my friends was so unanimous. We rarely agree like that on a show. I was expecting a lot of 3/5's for this.

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 10:18pm

BenElliott said: "Shocked that these reviews are so positive. I was expecting them to be lukewarm. I now know ten people that have seen it and every single one of them said the exact same thing. Everyone felt that it was a trope-ridden, depressing show with some beautifully sung Bob Dylan songs shoved in with a brilliant performance from Mare Winningham. None of us hated it, but all of us felt that it was an extremely flawed show. I was surprised that the opinion among my friends was so unanimous. We rarely agree like that on a show. I was expecting a lot of 3/5's for this."

And I know more than 10 that loved it.

 

[BenElliott]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 10:22pm

uncageg said: "BenElliott said: "Shocked that these reviews are so positive. I was expecting them to be lukewarm. I now know ten people that have seen it and every single one of them said the exact same thing. Everyone felt that it was a trope-ridden, depressing show with some beautifully sung Bob Dylan songs shoved in with a brilliant performance from Mare Winningham. None of us hated it, but all of us felt that it was an extremely flawed show. I was surprised that the opinion among my friends was so unanimous. We rarely agree like that on a show. I was expecting a lot of 3/5's for this."

And I know more than 10 that loved it.

"

This show is really dividing people.  Leaving the theater, I heard a lot of people saying that it just didn't work and a lot of people also in tears.  I haven't heard anyone say that it's "bad" because it isn't.  There's a lot about it that's really phenomenal, but it just doesn't come together to create a good musical.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 10:28pm

“ There's a lot about it that's really phenomenal, but it just doesn't come together to create a good musical.”

Except it does.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 10:36pm

Jordan Catalano said: "“ There's a lot about it that's really phenomenal, but it just doesn't come together to create a good musical.”

Except it does. "

Well. That’s an opinion. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 10:39pm

My opinion was in response to another opinion

[VotePeron]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 11:24pm

Also really shocked at these positive reviews. Hopefully they sell some tickets? Maybe it’ll go viral on TikTok?

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 3/6/20 at 12:04am

this was horrible but good for this incredible cast getting some legs under their show. and i too hope Mare Winningham gets a Tony, a rare bright spot in a dismal production.

Helen Shaw nails it: https://www.vulture.com/2020/03/review-why-girl-from-the-north-country-sinks-like-a-stone.html

Updated On: 3/6/20 at 12:04 AM

[devonian.t]

Posted: 3/6/20 at 3:36am

I was drawn into its spell and found the show intensely moving.  I'm glad it's getting such good reviews.

Seems like the "succes d'estime" of this season.

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/6/20 at 8:03am

I was completely drawn into it and want to see it again - soon! With all these deserved raves it might be hard to get the tickets I want.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 3/6/20 at 8:47am

I saw the production with what was considered the "West End Revival" cast when they came over to Toronto. (I wonder if casting had anything to do with it...the OBC are all fantastic performers that I would love to see) Personally, I think the show is a flaming mound of garbage. I usually try to get a show I didn't care for (Once or Cats) a second chance, but with this one, my self essteem isn't that low that I'd put myself through it again.

Although, to each their own. Congratulations on the reviews. Let's see how it plays out.