LEMPICKA Reviews- Page 16

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 9:24pm

i liked the show, especially the score and performances, and certainly though it was more worthy/intelligent than some of the most lauded shows this year. the reviews seemed harsh, and unnecessarily so.

but thats life! thats the nature of the whole ball game here! these responses--from professionals--are CRINGE

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 9:26pm

I liked a lot of Lempicka, but those sore loser speeches are a bad look. It’s lovely that they have their gaggle of superfans, and critics aren’t always right, but sometimes you just need to take the L and figure out how to move forward.

NYadgal said: "It’s hard to remember. They went on and on and on and on and on and on. . . And on and on and on. . ."

🎶 Broccoli, hogwash, balderdash, it’s not our fault this show bled cash 🎶 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 9:46pm

Matt Gould’s Curtain Call “Speech”.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 9:54pm

Thanks for posting that, Jordan. You were right. What’s this about “keep making work where people see themselves/where you see yourselves” stuff? I don’t want to go to a show and see myself, I want to see something and someone I know nothing about! Like ColorTheHours mentioned, in a way - too close to the material but also he thinks he IS/SHOULD BE the material.

And thanking the front row screamers whose egos know no bounds and distract the rest of the audience.

Must have been a real energy vampire having him backstage anytime over these last few days. 

Updated On: 5/19/24 at 09:54 PM

[Shubert Alley Cat]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 9:56pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Matt Gould’s Curtain Call “Speech”."

I have such secondhand embarrassment for the lot of them.

This actively makes me dislike the show even though I sorta enjoyed it when I saw it.

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 9:59pm

TheatreFan4 said: "Something I find really weird (despite liking the song), is 'Perfection' becoming like THE song of the show that isn't 'Woman Is' they use it in a lot of promo, the recorded songs, they even scored their "farewell" video with it. 

It's a villain song. Its an ode to Futurism, the antithesis of Lempicka's art. I know Chavkin said "the men aren't the heroes or the villains, they're just there." Marinetti is a villain. Sure not until the 11th hour in the show, but he's a real person! He wrote the Facist Manifesto!"

Even though I was overall thumbs down on the show, I've got to say Perfection is my favorite song in any new musical this season. Complaining about naked woman while fetishizing machines always hits me as funny. 

But you make a great point about Marinetti straight up being a villain. Likewise, the man Lempicka sleeps with to free her first husband from prison is obviously a villain. There are totally male villains, has Chavkin even seen the show she directed? 

(She probably meant Lempicka's husbands weren't villains.)

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 10:02pm

I agree that both Gould and Chavkin’s speeches are embarrassing.

”Keep supporting work where you see yourself.” Yes, totally. Agreed. Also, please support work where you DON’T see yourself, because not everything is about you.

You know what one of my favorite plays is? A Doll’s House. Not because I’m an emotionally suffocated, 19th century housewife, but because it’s a great friggin play.

Representation is important. Absolutely. But it doesn’t make a bad show better. 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 10:08pm

The Distinctive Baritone said: "I agree that both Gould and Chavkin’s speeches are embarrassing.

”Keep supporting work where you see yourself.” Yes, totally. Agreed. Also, please support work where you DON’T see yourself, because not everything is about you.

You know what one of my favorite plays is? A Doll’s House. Not because I’m an emotionally suffocated, 19th century housewife, but because it’s a great friggin play.

Representation is important. Absolutely. But it doesn’t make a bad show better."

Could not agree more- and also, precisely who is currently being "seen" in Lempicka and nowhere else? I *liked this show* but these guys have contorted themselves into thinking they told some bold, totally eyeopening tale that shook the foundations of culture. in realty, they twisted and mangled Lempicka's actual life story, and whitewashed (no pun intended) various characters to try and CREATE some sort of queer anthem out of nothing---and i applaud them their creativity and hope it launches more music from these artists.

but the idea that this is representing some community that isnt represented on broadway? who? lesbians? jews? prostitutes? refugees? artists? this stuff is made of the most consistent theater plot ingredients!  i guess its rare for a show to give multiple fascists some big production numbers, so is that the audience hes so excited is finally able to be "seen" ? give me a break.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 10:11pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Matt Gould’s Curtain Call “Speech”."

sounds like Matt is lost in a fantasy! 

Hopefully Matt and Carson will focus on work whose end-goal is being performed for a limited run at a not-for-profit. They may find that to be more rewarding, without the stress of having to appeal to masses of paying audiences.

I wanted to love this show but it just didn't work. It can be hard for creative teams to see the forest through the trees, but when you hear these speeches it's no wonder that they didn't make sizable enough changes throughout their 2 out-of-towns, multiple workshops, and previews.

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 10:19pm

How embarrassing. They had one more chance to erase some of the toxicity and go out on a high note (something along the lines of "thank you to everyone who loved the show and believed in it" etc etc) but instead played the victim one more time. Good riddance to this show. I know it's hard to objectively look at something you are so close to but the creative team would be wise to do some self reflection before embarking on another project.

[MezzoDiva47]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 10:21pm

let me see if ive got this right

according to rachel chavkin 

hadestown critics = good ppl w accurate reviews

lempicka critics = bad ppl w unfair reviews

sounds like donald trump logic

 

 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 10:27pm

I've said it before and based on current trends I'm sure I'll say it again: A David Merrick flop would go out with dignity.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 10:28pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Jordan Catalano said: "Matt Gould’s Curtain Call “Speech”."

Wow what a “gracious and inspirational” curtain speech. Maybe he and Jeff Whitty should collaborate on a show!  Maybe NUTS: THE MUSICAL? 

 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 10:31pm

For a show that used fake NYTimes quotes to try and sell tickets, I thought it would be hard to embarrass themselves more than they already did but they proved me wrong today. 

Updated On: 5/19/24 at 10:31 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 10:34pm

JSquared2 said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Jordan Catalano said: "Matt Gould’s Curtain Call “Speech”."

Wow what a “gracious and inspirational” curtain speech. Maybe he and Jeff Whitty should collaborate on a show! Maybe NUTS: THE MUSICAL?”

 

OK but Eden might actually be great as Claudia Draper. 

[rivermelody]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 10:42pm

jagman106 said: "binau said: "Can't wait to hear what the closing was like today."

On another theater website, the producers are lamenting that 8 weeks of performances is not enough time to build word of mouth. Actually, there has been plenty of WOM, and for the most part, it wasn't very good. I imagine they'll be playing the victim today, complaining that no one gave them a chance, reviews were unfair, people don't want new or original musicals, and every other excuse we've heard over the last month putting blame on everyone other than those involved in mounting the show."

which website?

[jagman106]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 10:49pm

TheaterMania. https://www.facebook.com/theatermania/posts/pfbid0Nzw7e6rM3dfArRMbD6fmR6iiykJ1oN3DNPnRsahSERxz2cHVjk13aFaa8AJXRxqvl

Updated On: 5/19/24 at 10:49 PM

[AKarp2013]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 10:57pm

jagman106 said: "TheaterMania.https://www.facebook.com/theatermania/posts/pfbid0Nzw7e6rM3dfArRMbD6fmR6iiykJ1oN3DNPnRsahSERxz2cHVjk13aFaa8AJXRxqvl"

First they likened this to Sunday in the Park With George, now they're invoking Merrily We Roll Along? Respectfully, please keep Sondheim out of this.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 10:58pm

Could you imagine Sondheim taking to the stage after “Merrily” closed and going on a tirade like that?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 11:05pm

Sometimes when people have a breakup, there are a lot of raw feelings. Feelings of hatred or betrayal.

It's usually best to talk it out privately with a loved one or therapist, channel those feelings into a project, or go sleep with someone you shouldn't.

Sometimes, instead of doing that, people write a long Facebook/Insta post about how much they hate their ex. While some readers will say "yes gurl drag him!", most people will view it as "old man yells at cloud." The bottom line is, it just looks bad, and we all know that healing will happen with time, without having to air out dirty laundry.

(how's THAT for a metaphor?)

 

[AKarp2013]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 11:09pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Could you imagine Sondheim taking to the stage after “Merrily” closed and going on a tirade like that?"

All I know is that the day the Lempicka cast album comes out, I will most likely be listening to the Merrily and Sunday cast albums.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 11:17pm

I hate the blame game. That people didn't give it a chance- please. That's ridiculous. The martyrdom shown by the creatives, the "omg broadway is going to die if people don't give shows like this a chance". Step 1. The show has to be good. 2. Make sure your fans aren't annoying 3... Anyone want to add? I'm so annoyed by the fans speaking out that I can't feel sorry that the show is closed! 

Updated On: 5/19/24 at 11:17 PM

[jagman106]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 11:17pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Sometimes when people have a breakup, there are a lot of raw feelings. Feelings of hatred or betrayal.

It's usually best to talk it out privately with a loved one or therapist,channel those feelings into a project, or go sleep with someone you shouldn't.

Sometimes, instead of doing that, people write a longFacebook/Insta post about how much they hate their ex. While some readers will say "yes gurl drag him!", most people will view it as "old man yells at cloud." The bottom line is, it just looks bad, and we all know that healing will happen with time, without having to air out dirty laundry.

(how's THAT for a metaphor?)

The first stage of grief is Denial, and it seems that everyone associated with the show has remained entrenched in this stage, making it difficult to move on. Thus, the finger-pointing and lack of accountability for the show's difficulties. The second stage is Anger, and although some of these people may be on the cusp of this stage, their remarks read more like they have not yet reached this second stage. I just hope they can eventually reach the stage of Acceptance because if they continue their careers with a chip on their shoulders, it may be a problem for them in the future. Playing the victim wears thin after a while.

 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 11:19pm

I want to know what Beth Leavel was thinking, having to stand there and listen to all of that. 

[rattleNwoolypenguin]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 11:21pm

The bio musical needed another draft

it just happens sometimes

Updated On: 5/19/24 at 11:21 PM