It's officiall: Brooke's a hit!

[Princeton78]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 6:39pm

Read the review yourself....
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-Theater-Wonderful-Town.html?oref=login

[Princeton78]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 6:40pm

Hmmm...sorry..forgot you have to log in...
Well, let's just say it's a great review...can I cut and paste it here? Is that legal?

[grownupgroupie]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 6:56pm

Wow, high praise! That's the AP review on the NYT site...wonder if there will be another one from the NYT itself?

The review pretty much echoed my own thoughts (saw her in it last Tuesday)...vocal shortcomings very much made up for by other aspects of her performance.

Mazel Tov to Brooke, (and the Weisslers too, I guess:) )

[Plum]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 7:00pm

It isn't the least bit legal to paste the review here. But since registration at the New York Times is free, it shouldn't be that much of a problem. Thanks for posting the link.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 7:04pm

who reviews Broadway for the AP? is it assumed that people know who, or is this review representative of the entire associated press?

[lna]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 7:26pm

Here's the AP review from Yahoo, no login required. The reviewer is Michael Kuchwara, the AP Drama Critic.
AP Review of Brooke in Wonderful Town

[timote316]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 7:37pm

lol, "Isn't it about time the woman is allowed to star in a new show of her own?" I wouldn't go THAT far lol.

That review along with similar thoughts from a friend who saw it a few weeks ago almost make me want to see it... lol

[Plum]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 7:41pm

I think Kuchwara is the AP's normal critic. But his byline should be there if it was him. *shrug*

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 7:46pm

Great Review! I knew the critics would enjoy her. So all the people who knocked her without reading a review or experience the performance can take this!

And actually Brooke stated shes VERY interested in doing her own show. She's getting tired of replacing people. And she said she REALLY wants to do an original piece with Sherie Rene Scott in the future. Updated On: 10/17/04 at 07:46 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/17/04 at 8:32pm

Yeah! I cant wait to see her on Saturday!

[CodeName]

Posted: 10/22/04 at 10:14am

How long is she supposed to be in the show? Just wondering if I should get tickets for when I am in NYC in December.

[Blanche]

Posted: 10/22/04 at 10:29am

Brooke will be there through December. Also, Jennifer Hope Wills who is marvelous as Eileen.

[bdwybug55]

Posted: 10/22/04 at 11:11am

I am so happy for those girls! Ms. Shields has certainly shown everyone that she is worthy. Every review was positive about the both of them and continued to be positive about the show. I finally got to see it last night and here are some thoughts. First of all...it was a Thursday night and the theatre was packed (even up in the balcony).

Secondly, Ms. Shields was amazing. Yes...she doesn't sing all that well...but it doesn't matter in this role. The difference in that area between Ms. Shields and Ms. Wills actually adds to her character...although they blended absolutely beautifully in "Ohio". She is so naturally funny and uses her stick thin, super tall body in such a comedic way. The sofa bit turns into a riot with her at the helm. She also was utterly heartbreaking and real in her love for Bob Baker. This was also the first time I ever believed that relationship.

Thirdly, Jennifer Hope Wills was just wonderful! She is absolutely beautiful and acts, sings and dances with such grace and presence. It was hard to take your eyes off her and you waited for her every entrance. I am glad that every review had a great brief mention but it was a shame that she was overpowered by the hook of Ms. Shields. She deserves much more attention. She was also very naturally funny. I think the main difference in this new cast is that they are so real and believable. I have always enjoyed the show but there is now more heart and charm.

Fourthly, Greg Eddleman has gotten much better. I believed him much more this time around and, as always, his songs were beautifully sung. I think these new girls are good for him and he looked to be having a great time.

Finally, the supporting cast has even gotten better. Standouts remain to be Peter Benson as the soda boy, Michael McGrath as the sleasy editor, Raymond McLeod as The Wreck and Nancy Anderson as Helen. It must have been Michael and Nancy's last performance since everyone applauded for them at their curtain call and Ms. Shields, Ms. Wills and Mr. Eddelman shared their final trio bow with them. It was a such an enjoyable night at the theatre. I hope this gives the show new life and the attention it has deserved all along.

[DesperatelySeekingStranger]

Posted: 10/22/04 at 1:56pm

I saw WT last night and I have to say that I LOVED Brooke Shields. She had so much energy and threw herself into the role. And true her voice fails in comparison to Donna Murphy, but its still pleasant enough. There was only one note where that made me cringe (the reprise of Ohio), but even Brooke looked shocked by the sound of it too. After seeing both Ms. Murphy and Ms. Shields, I'm going to have to go with Ms. Shields on this one...

[grownupgroupie]

Posted: 10/22/04 at 2:10pm

Donna is beyond compare, but I feel like it's almost apples and oranges.

I bought the love story with Brooke. Greg Edelman did nothing for me when I saw the show with Donna, but with Brooke I believed them. Brooke's take on the comedy is naturalistic, but equally funny, while Donna's was (geniusly, of course) mannered, stylized, schticky.

Both are valid, it just makes certain elements of the story ring truer or not.

[musicalsFan]

Posted: 10/22/04 at 3:48pm

to CodeName,

according to Jennifer Hope Wills official website, she and Brooke Shields are currently contracted through January 2, 2005

[CodeName]

Posted: 10/22/04 at 4:05pm

Thank you musicalsFan & Blanche. I kind of wanted to see it before, but heard the show was losing some of appeal, I guess due to absenses and such. I'm glad Brooke is doing so well in it. Now I can't wait to see it in December!

[musicgal04]

Posted: 10/22/04 at 8:27pm

I saw the show for my ninth time last night(2nd with Brooke) and I LOVED it. During Donna's absence there was seemed to be a lack of energy or something, but last night's show was great. I totally agree with BwayBug's finally really believing Ruth and Bob's relationship. You actually felt like they were falling in love, amazing it took this long for me to finally believe it. Also the set malfuntion last night crazked me up and Ray Wills deserves some attention as Appolous's understudy and having to cover a BIG mistake. It was great to see the house with more audiences members than I have seen in a long time. Check it out and enjoy.

[DesperatelySeekingStranger]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 5:26pm

Musicgal, the friend I took to the show last night thought the belated furniture was part of the show. It was a really nice cover though...

[bdwybelle]

Posted: 11/5/04 at 11:02pm

This is just my opinion, but all 4 times that I saw Wonderful Town, I believed that Ruth and Bob were in love. Maybe it will be more believable when I see it with Brooke Shields. When I first saw it I thought that Donna Murphy was brilliant, so it will probably be hard for me to love it with Brooke Shields. But I could be wrong. Maybe I would still love it if I hadn't seen it with Donna Murphy.

[Marquise]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 4:12am

OMG! someone actually got to see Donna Murphy in the show
?!!!! I've heard that she'd missed so many performances people even forgot she starred in it.

[WiCkEd4LyFfE]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 9:57am

lol

btw, Brooke was excellent!

[bdwybelle]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 10:08am

People don't miss performances because they want to. When I hear that someone has been absent from their show, the first I think of is "are they okay?". I may be disappointed but more concerned about their health or what might be wrong.