Posted: 4/20/15 at 9:11pm
I think Philly is talking about free media/press not advertising. Fleming has been everywhere in the last three days. TV, radio, print... she's been pushing hard. I just don't see it saving the play, though, unfortunately.
Posted: 4/20/15 at 9:13pm
Associated Press is Positive
Renee Fleming ... is a delight in the show ... able to lovingly goof on her refined world with an insider's grin.
It feels comforting, like an old black-and-white film ... Stick around after the curtain closes on this satisfying, sweet comedy and you'll find a cast that returns to mug, unable to help themselves.
Review: Renee Fleming Delightful in Madcap LIVING ON LOVE, by Mark Kennedy
Posted: 4/20/15 at 9:13pm
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/ren-e-fleming-living-love-790230
The Hollywood Reporter: Mixed with RAVES for Fleming and Sills :)
"as far as solo turns go, it's impossible not to enjoy Fleming's. Hard as it is to believe this is the singer's first time in a play, it makes sense that someone who comes from a background in opera — where control and delivery are vital — would have such great timing. She's priceless as she contemplates her future, dropping her voice an octave on the dreaded word "mezzo," or wondering with a blithe lack of self-awareness, "How much longer can I play the young, tragic virgin? Ten, maybe twenty years?" Her performance is broad and campy, as the material dictates, but there's also a delightful airiness to it."
Updated On: 4/20/15 at 09:13 PM
Posted: 4/20/15 at 9:14pm
It is a play that will undoubtedly be done regionally.
But audiences in New York just don't care. New Yorkers don't even care.
Posted: 4/20/15 at 9:19pm
HogansHero - Is that a prediction or something more?
Posted: 4/20/15 at 9:20pm
The Wrap: Pretty Positive. Loved Sills
"With all due respect to the diva of the hour, the real revelation of “Living on Love” is Sills, whose divo Vito enters the Broadway pantheon of great, inspired, and completely over the-top comic creations."
Posted: 4/20/15 at 9:24pm
Variety: I don't really know Mixed to Positive?
http://variety.com/2015/legit/reviews/living-on-love-review-broadway-1201475759/
"Fleming’s fans should be thrilled to hear that their idol is a natural, completely at her ease in the most ridiculously farcical situations and so personable she confirms her reputation as “The People’s Diva.” She also partners well, joining Sills in those intimate moments when Diva and Maestro tone down the theatrics and, as confidantes, quietly discuss their valid concerns as aging superstars anticipating a time when they will become unloved and irrelevant."
Posted: 4/20/15 at 9:28pm
Newsday:Mixed to positive
"Well-crafted broad triviality, an honorable debut by Renée Fleming."
Posted: 4/20/15 at 9:28pm
They definitely have a lot of great pull quotes :)
Posted: 4/20/15 at 9:42pm
I believe this is what the kids call "damning with faint praise."
Posted: 4/20/15 at 9:48pm
"Hot cup of Ovaltine!" is my favorite pull quote for this one thus far.
Posted: 4/20/15 at 9:56pm
Posted: 4/20/15 at 10:03pm
"http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/theater/living-on-love-review-renee-fleming-makes-solid-debut-in-opera-comedy-1.10298553
Newsday:Mixed to positive
"Well-crafted broad triviality, an honorable debut by Renée Fleming.""
This is a good pull quote...how?
Posted: 4/20/15 at 10:10pm
"Frothy" seems to be the most commonly used word among the reviews.
Posted: 4/20/15 at 10:14pm
Brantley TIMES ~ PAN!
https://www.didhelikeit.com/shows/living-on-love-review.html
Updated On: 4/20/15 at 10:14 PM
Posted: 4/20/15 at 10:15pm
"idk littlebro, maybe they are trying to get people to come see the show now, and maybe they are well sold in June and July. A lot of her fans are from other countries. That can be something to consider. "
You idiot: opera fans in Europe and here, who can afford it, are doing the opera festival circuit (Aix, Salzburg, Munich, Glyndbourne, etc.)....not coming to ****ing NEW YORK in JULY. But ya, as you've said before, you have a commanding knowledge of opera (so much more than I).
Expect closing notices soon. I generally hate saying such things, but that it'll prevent him from seeing it brings me a certain (sad) amount of joy.
And and I have to apologize to myself....for feeding the troll.
Posted: 4/20/15 at 10:17pm
Brantley is a pan, tho at least the knives weren't out (much)
Posted: 4/20/15 at 10:19pm
BosBroad-it's a prediction/educated guess. I thought it would read that way but I get how it might have seen like some kind of inside scoop. FWIW I doubt there could be better info, because I think the producers are sitting and waiting, hoping for some bump from the reviews and/or some nominations. They may get a slight one but the reason I said what I said is that they would basically need to double to be positioned to run through the Tonys, and even that would be shaky.
Posted: 4/20/15 at 10:19pm
I'm glad I'm not the only one who wpuld get a certain amount of joy from the show closing just so the pinto bean can't see it.
Posted: 4/20/15 at 10:32pm
Play Esq, you do know that people come all the way to NYC to see their fav opera singers at the met right? If someone is a fan of Renee, i can see people coming to see her.
Brantley's review isn't even really bad. It was the same as It Shoulda Been You; he's just seen it before. It didn't sound like he disliked it though.
I WILL see this show no matter what thank you very much. I hope it doesn't close early. Again, we don't know, maybe they are selling decently well for the summer
Posted: 4/20/15 at 10:38pm
The show is Elisabeth Vincentelli's guilty pleasure :) Positive
"It’s all shamelessly silly, and it works: In Joe DiPietro’s play, based on Garson Kanin’s 1985 “Peccadillo,” broad jokes and shameless hamming make for a guilty pleasure.
Wisely, DiPietro and director Kathleen Marshall let their stars play to their strengths. Fleming lets out a few trills and, though a bit stiff at times, seems to relish the high jinks. And Sills — the former “Scarlet Pimpernel” star who looks like Steve Martin, tousled gray hair and all — is hilarious as the pompous, vain Vito."
I agree with her reviews the most.
Posted: 4/20/15 at 10:40pm
USA Today: Mixed with love for Fleming
"Fleming, in particular, plays her part with obvious relish, and reveals a real flair for screwball repartee. The soprano uses her earthy speaking voice to great effect — lowering it when Raquel is trying to reprimand or seduce, then offering higher, brighter tones to affect delight or indignation."
Updated On: 4/20/15 at 10:40 PM
Posted: 4/20/15 at 10:41pm
"Play Esq, you do know that people come all the way to NYC to see their fav opera singers at the met right? If someone is a fan of Renee, i can see people coming to see her."
You're right. People do make those trips ... typically to see favorite performers in significant roles ... and major productions, neither of which applies to Living on Love though.
Posted: 4/20/15 at 10:47pm
Play Esq, you do know that people come all the way to NYC to see their fav opera singers at the met right? If someone is a fan of Renee, i can see people coming to see her.
(hits head)
why do I even engage? Perhaps to show how little you know...but that's so utterly transparent, so then....
I digress. Pinto: opera is dead in New York over the summer. There is one exception on a yearly basis, but even that doesn't draw European crowds (and I'm sure you have no clue where that is). Renee wasn't bringing in crowds during her one opera at the Met this season: she's certainly not going to draw OPERA crowds IN THE SUMMER when the Met is dark.
and ya Brantley's review was really bad....just ask the producers of It Should Have Been You.
Updated On: 4/20/15 at 10:47 PM
Posted: 4/20/15 at 10:48pm
Quick revision, pintool! Well played... 2.5 stars from USA TODAY not 3.5... your speed impresses me...
