Linda Winer's DRACULA review

[morosco]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 1:24pm

Review Updated On: 8/19/04 at 01:24 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 1:45pm

This tracks with most of the preview buzz, including commentary on Errico's baffling chilliness and near apathetic demeanor. Question is, will this be a critic-proof entertainment, like J&H? We won't know until September, since no doubt this is one show the Republicans can walk into -- and perhaps fill -- when the others are sold out. Maybe the nudity will result in a Janet Jackson controversy. It would help the show, if this review is part of a trend.

[Peter]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 2:01pm

Perhaps I'm pulling at straws here because she obviously didn't like the show, but what she DOESN'T do, is say it's some kind of legendary bomb, like DOTV for example. In fact, she praises the costumes, lighting and Wildhorn's "beautiful" choral harmonies, which is something because she's far from a fan of his.

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 2:05pm

man is this show even going to last a month?? i dont know anyone that has like it..lol

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 2:05pm

Sounds like he's still penning the junior-high lyrics.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 2:12pm

I hope you don't mean Wildhorn....

[robbiej]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 2:15pm

I actual found the nudity completely justified. Unfortunately, they were the ONLY moments of thrilling sexuality to be found in this DRACUAL.

Actual...they were the only moments of anything remotely interesting in this...the most boring Broadway musical I've ever seen.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 2:21pm

Howell Binkley's lights occasionally provide the lurid colors the performers lack.

This is why I love reviewers ... just once I'd like to see THEM go up there and attempt to be half as good as the performers on stage...

[robbiej]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 2:27pm

That's just ridiculous.

It's not what they do! Literary criticism is in many ways an art unto itself. Whether this or any current critic is practicing their discipline well is another thing. But they are an essential part of the creative process.

And, as much as I don't like her, she is DEAD ON on this one.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 2:34pm

The lyrics aren't his.

I found Winer's review to be fair. I found the show to be sustained mediocrity.

I wonder if the show is over-produced? What might it be like on an essentially bare stage?

Remember that Jekyll and Hyde ran 4+ years making it a hit-of-sorts. It bears the dubious distinction of the longest run show not to have paid back its investors. It really wasn't a hit.

Wildhorn is looking to make HIS money on post-Broadway royalties.

[poodleboy]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 2:36pm

Having seen the show last week, I thought she was being kind, just wait.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 2:37pm

Yes - I believe Rath DID mean Wildhorn - he writes lyrics that are so blase' and junior high - its no wonder I have a hard time sitting through any of his shows.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 2:40pm

Literary criticism is a poor man's excuse for art. They're making a living criticizing others for things they could never do themselves.... Updated On: 8/19/04 at 02:40 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 2:43pm

Wildhorn only contributed some lyrics for Jekyll... he did not write the lyrics for Dracula...

[robbiej]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 2:43pm

Well...you sure can see every side of the issue, can't you CATS.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 2:43pm

Literary criticism is a poor man's excuse for art. They're making a living criticizing others for things they could never do themselves....

Isn't that what all corporate managers do?

Updated On: 8/19/04 at 02:43 PM

[robbiej]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 2:44pm

in theory, yes.

in practice, never.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 2:44pm

Blech...

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 2:46pm

Well, what ever happened to constructive criticism??? I know the show is flawed... do we never point out the good things anymore???

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 2:46pm

Wow, Cats. Just...wow.

[morosco]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 2:47pm

"....do we never point out the good things anymore??? "

If you believe the good you gotta believe the bad!

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 3:02pm

I actually thought Linda Winer's review was pretty subdued, considering how she could have said it.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 3:05pm

"This is why I love reviewers ... just once I'd like to see THEM go up there and attempt to be half as good as the performers on stage"

Would they then be any more qualified to talk about a performance positively? If critics, by your assessment, have nothing to contribute, why would a positive review be of any more worth than a negative one?

Critics are as qualified to talk about a piece of work as, well, we are. In most cases they're MORE qualified. Dismissing them as incapable of discussing a performance or writing is sheer ignorance.

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 3:10pm

This bitch can just go to hell. I have not seen the show yet but I refuse to believe it's this bad. This is the same guy who did THE CIVIL WAR!! lol

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 8/19/04 at 3:12pm

Don Black needs to stop writing lyrics. Does anyone agree with this? Also, Wildhorn writes great music.........there, I said it. How beautiful is "In His Eyes" and how great is "Confrontation?" I think when a person finds a composer who writes something they don't like, they always have that thought about him/her no matter what they write. If that was true for me, I would hate Sondheim forever.........but I don't.