LYSISTRATA JONES Reviews- Page 3

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 12/14/11 at 10:57pm

Pleasantly surprised at these reviews! The NY Times review shocked me!

[Kad]

Posted: 12/14/11 at 11:03pm

I honestly don't think the show is at a point where raves will help it.

[srg129]

Posted: 12/14/11 at 11:03pm

The NY Daily News is Mixed:

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/bouncy-minor-musical-lysistrata-jones-courts-broadway-audiences-article-1.991084

[srg129]

Posted: 12/14/11 at 11:10pm

Newsday is Negative:

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/theater/lysistrata-jones-war-isn-t-the-topic-1.3387130

[After Eight]

Posted: 12/14/11 at 11:10pm

"The NY Times review shocked me!"

One should never, ever, underestimate the wretched taste of the New York Times.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 12:15am

it'll be intersting to see what these mostly positive reviews do for LJ. I doubt it'll become a hit anyway, but it would be nice to see it hold on for some length of time.

[thismyshow]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 12:17am

when a show is making 12% of its gross potential, even raves won't save it, sorry the titanic already hit the iceberg way before tonight.....

[leefowler]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 12:22am

The only thing that could save this show is a rave from the Times...which it got.

I saw this show with a bunch of people who thought I was an idiot for enjoying it...so I feel glad that at least SOMEONE else liked it.

[thismyshow]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 12:25am

the times rave is too little too late ....

[mattywhits]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 12:26am

Let's just celebrate the fact that a new musical got great reviews and it's a little spark of hope for the future of the ever-growing commercialization of Broadway...maybe it won't run forever but it's nice to see talented young performers get their chance. Put the Haterade back in the fridge and choose another beverage, please...

[dshnookie]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 12:31am

I liked it. a lot. now burn me at the stake if you must.

[NovaNurse7]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 12:32am

I find it very interesting (and telling) that the only strongly negative review, out of the ones mentioned in this thread, is the only one written by a woman.

Linda Winer at Newsday echoes many of the same concerns and problems I have with this show. I am hesitant to see the show because as a woman, I am resistant to a musical (or anything, really) where the main conceit is that the only real power women wield over men is the ability to withhold sex. These sentiments were echoed by a few of my female friends who have seen the show. Most of the reviews gloss over this entirely. The Chicago Tribune review mentions it briefly at the end, but most of the other reviews don't seem to take issue with the subject matter, instead finding it fun or quirky or amusing in some way. I think this may be indicative of gender roles and feelings about sex and power, but perhaps I'm reading too much into it.

For those who have seen Lysistrata Jones, is there any sense of irony or satire in the withholding of sex? Is "giving up giving it up" played as ridiculous, or earnest? Is this idea treated as outdated, or are women in this show devalued, demeaned, and reduced to denying their boyfriends sex?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 12:35am

There is no irony or satire in the girls withholding sex from their boyfriends. To think that there would be would be giving this trite little show far too much credit.

[leefowler]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 12:41am

Novanurse,

See the show, and then report back.

[NovaNurse7]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 12:45am

leefowler,

If the show doesn't use irony and satire in its treatment of the material, then I'd rather not. Spending two plus hours of my life being offended isn't really my cup of tea. I have no desire to see a show where the only power women have is in their ability to withhold sex from their significant others. Doesn't quite jive with my beliefs.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 12:46am

Ever hear of Aristophanes, novanurse?

Updated On: 12/15/11 at 12:46 AM

[NovaNurse7]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 12:54am

Yes, I am familiar with the source material. However, I've heard conflicting things from different people about the treatment it receives in the musical. Some thought it was fun and irreverent, some found it highly offensive. So, I thought I'd ask on the boards and see what you all thought. That's all.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 12:59am

I have a really hard time understanding why anyone would think this show to be offensive. If you find the original Lysistrata offensive, then you might also find this offensive. But I really just don't understand why that would be.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 1:01am

Why is it I am not having any difficulty imagining the types of people who woudl find it "offensive"? I wonder if they have heard of the source material? How familiar are YOU with the source material?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 1:03am

It's not offensive, it's just bad.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 1:07am

I mean, I've read and discussed the original play before. I can imagine the raunchy sexual content (which has obviously been toned down for this adaptation) offends some. But if anything, the general idea of the story is that both the original and the adaptation empower women. I think the portrayal of men as complete slobbering idiots in spots is more problematic than anything, though I really just don't find this piece to be offensive. I guess some people just look for ways to be offended by something they're seeing instead of just enjoying it. Lysistrata Jones is, to me, a thoroughly enjoyable piece, and if you miss out on it because you feel like you'll be offended by it, it's really only your loss.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 1:33am

From what I've seen, nothing about this show is offensive really BUT to say that if you've seen the original Greek play it's based on, this is the same, is just so weird... In the Greek play it was a vastly different era, society, and it was done to end a *war*.

[leefowler]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 2:21am

Novanurse,

If the descriptions of the the show lead you to believe that you wouldn't enjoy it, then by all means don't go to see it.

But be aware that, to many of us, your criticisms of a show you haven't seen are meaningless.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 2:25am

Cheers, leefowler!

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 12/15/11 at 7:16am

Just won't give up, will you Jordan? Get a life.