LaCageFans: THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN' Review

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 10:44pm

TIMES THEY ARE A’CHANGIN’ Review
https://nycriticscorner.broadwayworld.com/thetimestheyareachangin.htm

“The Times They Are A-Changin',” the new Bob Dylan/Twyla Tharp nightmare that is now playing, on Broadway of all places, makes previous jukebox travesties such as “Good Vibrations,” “Ring of Fire,” and “All Shook Up” seem like Shakespeare. The chances of this mundane event making it to Thanksgiving, let alone the new year, are slim to none. Memo to Ms. Tharp: (who turned her Billy Joel driven piece into a mini-hit) Lightning has not struck twice for a conception does not a Broadway musical make; especially one as poorly conceived, poorly guided, and vastly misdirected as “The Times They Are A-Changin’.”

Are Bob Dylan fans really dying for his music to be staged on Broadway? Are Broadway fans screaming for another jukebox type show with Bob Dylan music? The answer to both questions is a resounding No! So another memo to Broadway producers: GIVE IT UP ALREADY and STOP WASTING MONEY ON CRAP LIKE THIS! Audiences feel betrayed, box office workers are miserable, everyone involved with the show can smell the decay, and critics do not enjoy writing as much negativity as a show like this deserves.

While the playbill tells us the action takes place between “sometime between awake and asleep,” it is clear that a freak show of a circus is the concrete setting; although, somewhere between awake and asleep better describes the majority of the audience about a half an hour into the show. Thank God for Michael Arden’s voice, the only true powerhouse talent in the entire production. His tingling tenor is enough to wake the anemic audience if only for a moment. But when raising from the stooper, one witnesses a chorus of insanely ridiculous characters (a human dog, god on stilts,…the list goes on) throwing stuffed animals, jumping rope, bouncing balls, and playing with skeletons (in a scary “In My Life” flashback.)

Though Tharp may have won a Tony for her work on “Movin' Out,” do not expect any type of award to be rewarded for what is nothing more than mugging in the background when Dylan’s music is not enough to sell a song. Every song, including the more well known Dylan tunes like “Blowin’ in the Wind” and the title tune fall flat.

This is a catastrophe of the most monumental kind. How anything like this could even get past an out of town tryout looking this way is truly unbelievable. A complete creative nightmare at every single turn, “The Times They Are A-Changin'” is not only an embarrassment, but an absolute artistic failure of monumental proportions.




Updated On: 10/8/06 at 10:44 PM

[Just_John]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 10:52pm

That's exactly what I thought about it.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 10:57pm

Did the cast sign? Were they super nice?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 11:03pm

Audiences feel betrayed, box office workers are miserable, everyone involved with the show can smell the decay, and critics do not enjoy writing as much negativity as a show like this deserves.

Box office workers are miserable? They're working. They're getting paid. If the show wasn't playing, they'd be out of work.

Updated On: 10/7/06 at 11:03 PM

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 11:03pm

lol...no way in hell was I sticking around that theatre for any longer than I possibly had to.

[HeyJayNYC]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 11:19pm

Geez how did you REALLY feel?

I'll take this over tired ol' "La Cage" any day!

This show is not for everyone! Love it or hate it but give it a chance!

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 11:20pm

And do a spell check while you're at it.

Though Tharpe may have won a Tony for her work on “Moving Out,” do not expect any type of award to be rewarded for what is nothing more than mugging in the background when Dylan’s music is not enough to sell a song.

I find it laughable that you write this huge self-important review knocking Twyla Tharp and you can't even spell her name correctly, let alone the title of her show, nor the rest of your juvenile review for that matter.

Updated On: 10/7/06 at 11:20 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 12:29am

Is there a reason you're being so nasty?

I thought his review was generally well-written, and is no less mean than everything else I've been hearing.

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 12:38am

Hey, I can agree to not agree with anyone on just about anything. But as far as this show is concerned...anyone trying to defend it is almost laughable. I know it is still in previews, and that things could change and I sure hope they do. But 3 weeks really isn't long enough, in my opinion, to completely rework this mess.

[Luscious]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 1:27am

I thought it was an honest and well written review as well. What's the problem, Wanna Be? Are you one of the show's backers? Everyone is entitled to their opinion. And most of the advance buzz on this show has been negative. So, LaCage is definitely in the majority there. I loved MOVIN' OUT. I saw it three times. But I wouldn't waste my time seeing this show if you paid for my ticket. It sounds like a thundering dud. And I'd lay money on it closing within a month of opening.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 1:46am

i Love this Show
If U didn't cool
But i think it's interesting

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 1:50am

critics do not enjoy writing as much negativity as a show like this deserves.

Judging by the rampant negativity in theater criticism, I beg to differ; I don't think critics have a problem writing negativity in the least. And in fact, some certainly do seem to enjoy it.

But you would know, right?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 1:54am

and critics get paid to be cruel
That review is just stupid
Watch twyla turn this into a good show
or not?
The audience I sa it with Loved it

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 2:13am

Em - I think he was joking...as in even the critics couldn't be negative enough in their review of the show.

I wonder, though...did LaCAgeFan actually write THIS review?

[jennafan]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 2:39am

**Spoilers**
I saw it in San Diego and I really didn't think it was that bad. It sounds like Tharp made it worse. What I can remember of the 'dog' in the show was that his part was very small and only at the begining (during Cleo's number), but now it sounds like he there all the time (?). Not good. The scene I absolutely hated was during the song "Man Gave Names to All the Animals" with all the stupid costumes. I thought for sure Tharp would cut that scene. But, it sounds like even that wouldn't save it.

Personally, I think Bob Dylan will be embarassed. I remember when Movin' Out came out Billy Joel was helping promote it. I understand Bob Dylan is a reserved guy, but the only thing I can find on his site mentioning the play is a banner at the bottom of the News page.
Has he made any public statement about it? I think a lot of his fans would rather buy his CD and see him live (he's touring now) than watch this show on Broadway.

I could be wrong.




Updated On: 10/8/06 at 02:39 AM

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 10:16am

Yep Jenna...the Dog is on and off the stage throughout the entire piece. Completely jarring.

[HeyJayNYC]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 10:25am

I disagree. The dog was playful! Without some fun this piece is dull and scary. Lighten up all! It's a fantasy, a circus of the mind. Why does it have to be so literal? The son is the breath of life this world needs...everyone comes to life....just as the sense of humor could use a boost on this board at times.
I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. Knowing that it is a romp through the mind, the psyche, gives it the jolt it needs to raise the bar to experimentation.
If you want realism go see "Les Miz". Is "Ave Q" literal?
Something for everyone..a comedy tonight!!