IN TRANSIT Reviews

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 12/11/16 at 1:21pm

The Circle in the Square's newest tenant opens tonight! Happy Opening, IN TRANSIT! Post 'email here, fam!

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 12/11/16 at 7:26pm

Robert Kahn: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/entertainment/the-scene/In-Transit-Review-Kristen-Lopez-405781835.html

Matt Windman: http://www.amny.com/entertainment/in-transit-review-broadway-s-first-a-cappella-musical-falls-short-1.12738776

Christopher Kelly: http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/12/in_transit_broadway_review_justin_guarini.html

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 12/11/16 at 7:48pm

David Cote: https://www.timeout.com/newyork/blog/broadway-review-in-transit-is-a-cute-but-unmemorable-a-cappella-journey-120916

[Clyde15]

Posted: 12/11/16 at 8:08pm

Really suprised to see some positive reviews for this show. It will be interesting to see what the Times says.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 12/11/16 at 8:32pm

Best of luck to the show.  

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 12/11/16 at 8:51pm

Jesse Green: http://www.vulture.com/2016/12/theater-review-in-transit.html

Lorraine Treanor: http://dctheatrescene.com/2016/12/11/transit-review-broadways-first-voice-orchestra/

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 12/11/16 at 8:52pm

Robert Hoffler: http://www.thewrap.com/in-transit-broadway-review-where-underground-does-not-mean-cutting-edge/

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 12/11/16 at 9:25pm

Frank Scheck: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/transit-review-955048

Linda Winer: http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/theater/in-transit-review-sanitized-subway-musical-in-a-capella-1.12740402

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 12/11/16 at 9:43pm

Breanne L. Heldman: http://www.ew.com/article/2016/12/11/in-transit-stage-review

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 12/11/16 at 9:56pm

These reviews collectively sound like it's the most average show of all time.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 12/11/16 at 10:01pm

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/11/theater/in-transit-review.html

Brantley seems to chime in that it's super average. Not negative, but not positive either.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/11/16 at 11:04pm

BroadwayConcierge said: "These reviews collectively sound like it's the most average show of all time.

 

"Actually, I can't wait to see it.

 

[SuddenlySeymour3]

Posted: 12/11/16 at 11:21pm

Here's the last line of Ben Brantley's review: 

“Shut the hell up!” she yells, and the whole world goes still. The ensuing silence makes for the show’s wittiest — and arguably most welcome — moment.

___

I think it's possible to end a lukewarm review without sounding like a self-satisfied a**hole.  Brantley may complain that the characters in this show are all clichés, but his cynical New York critic routine only confirms that he is one himself.  He's been really tiresome lately. 

Although In Transit may not win any prizes, I think it'd be a real bummer to see it close at the end of the year (as rumors say it might, if the reviews are bad). Not since Hamilton have I seen an audience rise to its feet so immediately as they did at the end of this one. And I think that speaks to the fact that people need a non-traumatizing story with a positive and pro-community message right now.  

The night I saw it, there were a lot of genuine laughs and people seemed engaged with every single storyline.  Ok, so this is not a show for urbane types craving dry irony — but why would those folk even consider seeing an a cappella musical anyway?  That said, I think there are many people out there who will forgive In Transit's saccharine elements while thoroughly enjoying a show that has its heart in the right place. 

 

Updated On: 12/11/16 at 11:21 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/12/16 at 12:56am

Yes, we might need an uplifting story, but we don't need a pandering story and we don't need a bland, unoriginal story that deals with its characters like this. It's 2016 and gay people are still portrayed like this? Yuck!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/12/16 at 5:18am

Also, Seymour, it's said that the show is heavily comped which often explains quick SO.  

 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/12/16 at 7:09am

The sort of entertainment that would've turned up at the Westside Arts or maybe De Lys, er, Lortel, back in the day. Modest, with more modest ticket prices. In any era, it's an odd choice for B'way, because of the nature of the material, its tone, and its canvas size.  It has zero elements that suggest B'way, starting with its situation comedy stylings. It's that absence of teeth, edge, whatever, that makes it so retro -- and so Off Bway. "I Love The Subway, You're Perfect, Now Change."    

[haterobics]

Posted: 12/12/16 at 8:21am

SuddenlySeymour3 said: "I think there are many people out there who will forgive In Transit's saccharine elements while thoroughly enjoying a show that has its heart in the right place."

 

Those people better be buying advance tickets this morning then...

[newintown]

Posted: 12/12/16 at 8:26am

"Ok, so this is not a show for urbane types craving dry irony — but why would those folk even consider seeing an a cappella musical anyway?"

Wow, if that doesn't encapsulate the TrumpVoter point of view perfectly - "I don't cotton to them elitist city folk who think they're so dang smart and all. Give me a string of plastic clichés over a show that's actually about something real any day. And while you're at it, pour some more melted Velveeta on my hot dog."

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 12/12/16 at 9:07am

BroadwayConcierge said: "http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/11/theater/in-transit-review.html

Brantley seems to chime in that it's super average. Not negative, but not positive either."

 

How is this not negative? It's the last line of his review = the last impression he wants to leave.

Shut the hell up!” she yells, and the whole world goes still. The ensuing silence makes for the show’s wittiest — and arguably most welcome — moment.
 

 

[newintown]

Posted: 12/12/16 at 9:10am

Some posters seem, strangely, to believe that a review is "mixed" unless the reviewer states explicitly "this is a total piece of crap."

Brantley's review is in no way positive; it's a total pan.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 12/12/16 at 9:11am

Agreed, newintown, but it seems only you and I speak Brantley.

Even Show Score has it as "mixed" when it's clearly a pan. Updated On: 12/12/16 at 09:11 AM

[newintown]

Posted: 12/12/16 at 9:46am

Show Score is an utterly insane website that makes Pollyanna look like a Norn.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 12/12/16 at 10:50am

I wrote initially that it was mixed on Brantley's part because he devotes a nice chunk of his review to the goodwill of the show's creators and seems not enter into an outright devastating rip on the show. But I'll agree now, you're right, it's ultimately quite negative.