"Robert Hofler, The Wrap: In previews, Patten has received standing ovations for this amazingly overwrought rendition of "You Oughta Know." The performance makes "Defying Gravity" sound like "Do-Re-Mi" from "The Sound of Music." Because Patten's screaming, twitching, hopping and other physical contortions aren't sufficient, Paulus brings in the full chorus and rolls out the band from backstage to accompany her as Justin Townsend's lighting signals a five-alarm fire and Deans' amplification goes up another notch to blast out to West 44th Street. Here's a safe prediction: Patten will win the Tony for best featured actress in a musical. This is a minority report, but I felt sorry not for Jo but Frankie, who had no idea at age 16 that she'd committed to a lifelong relationship with a lesbian who clearly harbors anger-management issues."
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
"The show, which has a slick and oft-satirical design from Riccardo Hernandez, is just so unkind to its central family, dressing them up like they’re pathetic J Crew wannabes in stark contrast with the diverse, way-cool ensemble performing Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s self-actualizing choreography as the unwoke — bathed in unforgiving white light — all writhe through their problems. You’ll likely be put in mind of both “American Idiot” and “Next to Normal,” but neither of those shows were so determined to tell you whom to like."
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
Overall I’m very excited for these reviews. I know a lot of people here were not feeling it but this was one show that I would To see thrive and take over the Tonys.
YvanEhtNioj said: "Overall I’m very excited for these reviews. I know a lot of people here were not feeling it but this was one show that I would To see thrive and take over the Tonys. "
Lol yeah. I said it before, people on here go iiiiinnnnn when they don’t like something. Their experience is their experience, but I wouldn’t trust any review that doesn’t at least point of some positive in the show. Even if it’s just the damn lights.
The haters for this show on this board were out of control. I went to the show looking for many of the issues they pointed out and found that some of them didn't even exist.
I am SO happy that the reviews are proving to be positive, which is what I think Jagged Little Pill deserves.
There is constructive criticism, and then there are bitchy underhanded, totally untrue hate filled comments that filled this board for months, completely unhelpful for a show in previews.
uncageg said: "Theaterdarling, what show were you watching or not paying attention to. That song was placed at the right moment and her character had a right to sing it. I just don't get people saying it came out of nowhere, etc. It is quite evident why she is upset."
I was watching the May 22, 2018 7:30PM show at the A.R.T and from posts here and reviews coming in not much has changed in the Broadway iteration. I was very much paying attention and that is why I know the song was so very negligently utilized. Apparently I saw the same show that Auggie27 and a few others did! I'll just gratefully point to what Auggie27 said in his 8:49PM post (and all his other posts) to further explain the problem to you. I could just as easily ask you what show were you watching and not paying attention to not notice this huge disconnect, but to each his own.