If/then Reviews — Page 6

"Haterobics- Not saying that bdn is wrong for liking the show (Hell, I'm the guy that actually enjoyed Leap of Faith). I just find it a strong statement to say everyone who didn't like the show is "missing the point". If that many people are "not getting it", one could assume that the writers haven't made the point clear in the first place???"

To me, those are two separate points.

I would say that anyone who says that Idina eventually chooses one of the two lives is incorrect. And, if they think that, sure, perhaps the show wasn't clear enough about it (although I would disagree).

But both can be true. The show could confuse someone AND they can form an opinion that differs from the text. But then the issue becomes their confusion, NOT their alternate version of what was presented onstage that they made up to make sense of their confusion.

If you're still carrying a torch for LoF, then you know all about having a minority opinion about a show.

Haterobics- Hey, screw you for not "getting" LoF, ok?

Kidding. Your points are well taken. Cheers!

Between Idina Menzel, Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, the innovative new tandem musical If/Then has a lot of potential. Does it A) succeed or B) fumble its lines like John Travolta at the oscars. Watch the video review and find out! Review of “If / Then” starring Idina Menzel at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.




Click for review of If /Then

Updated On: 3/31/14 at 11:08 PM

Nobody answered the real burning question, though: Was Travolta there tonight?

Nobody knows. Who cares at this point. Wait till Apr 29. Wish all the shows the best.

@GreasedLightning We were in a hurry to get out the review! thanks for the heads up!

Updated On: 3/31/14 at 12:25 AM

No worries, @AndrewAndrew, just wanted to point out that you may get a more respectable outlook on your reviews if you had correct spellings, etc. Nonetheless, I very much enjoy some of your reviews.

Blaxx, that is a very good point.
I just hope that it still keeps these grosses up. It is quite refreshing to see a Broadway star originate a role in a completely new piece of work. It has its flaws, but I think it is a show that is unlike any other.

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"I'm sorry if this is naive ,but with so many different opinions both from the board and newspaper critics-who do the critics write for?"

Good critics try and describe their experience of seeing a show, based on their personal experience and hopefully some theater knowledge, academic or otherwise, that they have accrued to put the work in perspective.

Objectivity plays no part here (unlike reporters, who are supposed to write about new stories without bringing their opinions and feelings into the mix as much as possible).

Critics should steer into the why of the reaction they have to a piece, since that is the way we can use that as a barometer to make our own decisions. I used to read Roger Ebert religiously, and whether he liked a movie or not, I knew whether I would like a movie, too, whether his review was positive or negative, after years of knowing his taste, my own, and how those two intersected. He could write a completely negative review and I would know I'd adore that same movie.

If a critic hates jukebox musicals, and just trashes every one without ever mentioning that bias, they would be an awful critic.

If you think the critics are the first person to raise any of the issues that appeared in tonight's reviews, you didn't read the DC thread, the DC reviews, the preview thread, etc.

Also, many people who saw the DC and Broadway runs (both BWW members as well as DC-based critics) all seem to think the show has been clarified and improved in the process.

Nothing raised in any of these reviews is going to shock and blindside the creative team.

That said, if people don't find that the central premise of the show resonates for them, well, that was never going to change.

Updated On: 3/31/14 at 12:40 AM

I will be very, very surprised if this show lasts a day after Menzel leaves. I've suspected all along the overwhelming majority of ticket sales were due to Idina, and now, according to most reviews, she's the only reason to go.

That being said, I expect it to do pretty well as long as she remains in the show.

Updated On: 3/31/14 at 12:46 AM

Soon?! It pulled in $1M in grosses last week...no clue what their weekly nut is, but sales aren't weak enough to suggest it is leaving anytime soon.

NY POST is 3/4 four stars….Mixed/good on show, rave for Idina

http://nypost.com/2014/03/30/idina-menzel-carries-new-broadway-musical-ifthen/

So After Midnight is not a serious contender? Ok...

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