IT'S ONLY A PLAY Reviews

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 6:49am

A star-studded ensemble takes to this McNally revisal, with updated jokes and references, taking us out of the '70s/'80s & into today! Post 'em here!

[JohnAdams]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 6:11pm

amNY - 2 out of 4 stars.

http://www.amny.com/entertainment/it-s-only-a-play-is-a-commercially-attractive-package-deal-1.9485626

"While act one offers plenty of silly, lightweight fun, the play essentially collapses in the self-indulgent, overly sentimental act two. At an overall length of close to three hours, one can't help but wonder why it wasn't seriously cut...Director Jack O'Brien could have done a better job coordinating the broad performances offered by the cast into a cohesive, farcical whole."


amNY review

[theatregeek6]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 8:04pm

Broderick has a 'labored performance that throws everyone off'. Couldn't have said it better myself. Oh wait. That is what I said. Kinder than I would have been but it is AM NY

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 8:09pm

Brodericks performance is an undiagnosed depressive Leo Bloom. The show is alot about timing and I can see it being thrown off. I enjoyed it and wanted to see the Star Quality but not one of the top 8 things playing on Broadway this season.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 8:11pm

I was invited to go with a friend so am patiently awaiting next Wednesday evening... Eager to see this if only for Lane.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 8:16pm

Looks line Broderick can stop writing his Tony acceptance speech.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 8:35pm

Another ouch for Broderick

"And then there’s Broderick, who for years has been turning in robotic, chirpy performances that have nothing to do with the character he’s playing or the show he’s in, more lifeless iterations on Leopold Bloom. Broderick doesn’t act so much as have his Madame Tussaud’s likeness wheeled onstage with hidden speakers."

I couldn't have said it better myself.
Time Out

[mc1227]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 8:56pm

Wasn't expecting raves for this but the Time Out review is ridiculous. Jack O'Brien's direction should have convinced the playwright to shorten the excessive serious dialogue but other than that, I thought the play was thoroughly enjoyable and the performances were fine for the material they were given. Much like The Odd Couple, you could hear knives being sharpened during rehearsal. Too bad, it's already a hit at the box office.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 9:26pm

^^^ I agree. Way too harsh. He seemed to have missed all the fun parts (and there were many). He just sounded extremely defensive as a reviewer like the play was attacking him personally.

Great play no...but a lot of laughs and some fun..but nothing like the train wreck he wrote about.

Updated On: 10/9/14 at 09:26 PM

[theatregeek6]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 9:41pm

Time out mirrors my thoughts if I hadn't had 2 glasses of forgiveness (wine) before curtain. Perhaps the producers should have thought of that?

[mc1227]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 9:45pm

I don't believe that critics figure in the fun component. Thankfully the audiences do.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 9:52pm

Based on the snippets that BWW has been posting in their "review roundup," it seems like most of the critics so far enjoyed themselves, despite some complaints.

[mc1227]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 10:08pm

Looks like Brantley liked it with a few minor digs at McNally.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/10/theater/matthew-broderick-nathan-lane-and-stockard-channing-in-its-only-a-play-on-broadway.html

Updated On: 10/9/14 at 10:08 PM

[Sauja]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 10:08pm

SPOT ON from Time Out. It's starts delightful and then falls to pieces. It's a chore to sit through, and it's a damn shame that it's taking in the money when almost every single other show on Broadwah right now is better. Lane works his tail off and is as genius as ever, and Stock has a grand debut, but they are thoroughly unsupported by the miserable script, lame direction, or even the other very talented but entirely miscast other actors. My biggest disappointment in the past few seasons.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 10:33pm

The nerve of them taking money from other shows.They should be thrown in jail immediately.

[Sauja]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 10:40pm

My point (riddled with typos though I now see it was) was that it's a shame that people are attending this schlock in droves when much better plays are doing a fraction of its business.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 10:45pm

"The nerve of them taking money from other shows.They should be thrown in jail immediately."

Thus sayeth the man who thinks ticket prices are the downfall of civilization.

[mc1227]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 10:49pm

People will pay to see what they want to see. There are some very good plays out there for sure. Sorry that you feel you wasted money for this show. Many do not feel that way at all. Who are we to tell others what they should see?

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 11:26pm

Audiences aren't going to care if it's good or not, they're still going to pay to see it because of the cast alone!

Though with that being said, based on the reviews, does anyone here see it getting any nominations at all come awards season? I personally don't (maybe a performance or two). Updated On: 10/9/14 at 11:26 PM

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 11:29pm

Much kinder notices than I was anticipating. But anytime someone goes to the theater and has a good time, it's good for everyone, whether or not it's a great play. The next time around they might stumble into something profound and wonderful, which will just encourage them to keep coming back.

[ajh]

Posted: 10/10/14 at 2:01am

Was pleasantly surprised by most of these reviews. I had a ball at this show, even while recognising that the piece itself is less a play than a frequently hilarious if overlong parade of gags and stock characters, and that Broderick is seriously under par, effectively regurgitating his Nice Work performance but without the singing. I assumed this would be a crowd pleaser (albeit not to much of the crowd on here....lol) that the critics would sharpen their knives on.
Although I guess with this star wattage (and Lane & Channing in particular are utterly magnificent while Stock is a delightful discovery) it's pretty much critic proof, the producers now have some very nice pull quotes to use. This isn't classic theatre but I really did find it great entertainment despite some reservations.

[Jotebry]

Posted: 10/10/14 at 2:46am

"those sloppy kiss tributes to the theatre delivered by Peter and James are deeply felt and honestly moving. And if you don't share the gooey sentiments, you really shouldn't be at this show." Marilyn Stasio-Variety

You tell em', Marilyn. This is a fun show, that audiences love, and only a few snarky critics hoping to make a name for themselves have tried to peck it to death. Sorry, but they're throwing spit-balls at a 747. This baby soars, and that's why fans are flocking to see the stars in it. Sure, it's lightweight and not a Pulitzer winner, but so what ? It's full of laughs with some very touching moments. A very enjoyable night of theatre, even if some think it's too long. I didn't want it to end, and I've seen it twice, and if I didn't live so far away would stand in line to see it again. Bravo to Mr. McNally, the cast and production crew !!! And to the pessimists who say I'm a shill...in the words of Virginia..."F_ _ _ you !" I paid a lot of money both times to see this show and I've got no connection to it what so ever, other than being one of thousands who LOVE IT.

[After Eight]

Posted: 10/10/14 at 7:15am

Our esteemed critics sure went easy on this embarrassing stinker.

But that is their wont, isn't it?

Anyhow, at least they managed to get Jotebry to return to this board. I was afraid he had left here for good. Welcome back, and please continue posting!

[Owen22]

Posted: 10/10/14 at 7:23am

What are the rush/standing room rules for this show (if indeed there is rush or standing room)?

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 10/10/14 at 7:51am

Quote from the Variety review:

"There’s even a special dig for those vile message boards in which so-called theater “lovers” savage shows while they’re still in preview."