MCNEAL Reviews

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 9/30/24 at 4:20pm

9P embargo lift…

Updated On: 9/30/24 at 04:20 PM

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 9/30/24 at 9:02pm

Adam Feldman from TimeOut is negative

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 9/30/24 at 9:10pm

Variety is negative

Deadline is mixed positive, particularly for Robert Downey, Jr

C+ from EW

The Wrap is negative on the play, positive on Downey

Updated On: 9/30/24 at 09:10 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/30/24 at 10:07pm

These are terrible, if not a bloodbath.

[gibsons2]

Posted: 9/30/24 at 10:40pm

blaxx said: "These are terrible, if not a bloodbath."

Which is irrelevant because the run is almost entirely sold out.

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 9/30/24 at 10:45pm

WaPo is negative: "Makes No Sense" (paywalled)

USA Today is negative: "Feels like a 90 minute Bill Maher rant"

Wall Street Journal is mixed

Both Reviews from New York Stage Review are positive 

Theatrely is negative

Slant is negative

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/30/24 at 10:51pm

I really hope this doesn’t dissuade Downey from doing another show at some point. 

[UWS10023]

Posted: 9/30/24 at 11:01pm

Egads these are bad! But as someone once said The play’s the thing. Not even Meryl Streep can save mediocrity.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 9/30/24 at 11:12pm

DTLI Consensus: Ironic as it seems, Robert Downey Jr. makes his Broadway debut in a play mostly devoid of heart — and real drama.

7 negative (including the NYT), 5 mixed, 1 positive. 

https://didtheylikeit.com/shows/mcneal/

 

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/30/24 at 11:27pm

gibsons2 said: "blaxx said: "These are terrible, if not a bloodbath."

Which is irrelevant because the run is almost entirely sold out."

The show being awful is irrelevant because it is sold out?  OK.

[gibsons2]

Posted: 9/30/24 at 11:59pm

blaxx said: "gibsons2 said: "blaxx said: "These are terrible, if not a bloodbath."

Which is irrelevant because the run is almost entirely sold out."

The show being awful is irrelevant because it is sold out? OK."

I didn't think it was awful. Those few critics and their opinions don't matter because the audience will be there no matter what. 

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 12:10am

gibsons2 said: "blaxx said: "gibsons2 said: "blaxx said: "These are terrible, if not a bloodbath."

Which is irrelevant because the run is almost entirely sold out."

The show being awful is irrelevant because it is sold out? OK."

I didn't think it was awful. Those few critics and their opinions don't matter because the audience will be there no matter what."

That's not really the goal or point of theatrical criticism. A sold out run does not invalidate the insightful and honest experiences of dozens of industry professionals. Of course their opinions matter: plays close, their reviews live on the internet for eternity.

 

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 12:25am

Falsettolands said: "gibsons2 said: "blaxx said: "gibsons2 said: "blaxx said: "These are terrible, if not a bloodbath."

Which is irrelevant because the run is almost entirely sold out."

The show being awful is irrelevant because it is sold out? OK."

I didn't think it was awful. Those few critics and their opinions don't matter because the audience will be there no matter what."

That's not really the goal or point of theatrical criticism. A sold out run does not invalidate the insightful and honest experiences of dozens of industry professionals. Of course their opinions matter: plays close, their reviews live on the internet for eternity."

Well we usually equate a show's success (whether or not it was a hit) with whether it recouped, and this one sure seems to be on the track to do so regardless of reviews.  

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 12:43am

chrishuyen said: "Falsettolands said: "gibsons2 said: "blaxx said: "gibsons2 said: "blaxx said: "These are terrible, if not a bloodbath."

Which is irrelevant because the run is almost entirely sold out."

The show being awful is irrelevant because it is sold out? OK."

I didn't think it was awful. Those few critics and their opinions don't matter because the audience will be there no matter what."

That's not really the goal or point of theatrical criticism. A sold out run does not invalidate the insightful and honest experiences of dozens of industry professionals. Of course their opinions matter: plays close, their reviews live on the internet for eternity."

Well we usually equate a show's success (whether or not it was a hit) with whether it recouped, and this one sure seems to be on the track to do so regardless of reviews."

Right, but reviewers don't really care whether or not a play is a financial success or flop. Their job is to provide theatrical criticism that touches on both the production and script. Broadway might be a business, but I don't think it makes much of any sense to suggest that someone's insightful commentary on a piece of art is irrelevant if the art is making money. Criticism is important for the longevity of a piece regardless of whether or not the show is turning profit.

Updated On: 10/1/24 at 12:43 AM

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 12:49am

I can't tell if you're being purposely obtuse or not. I'm not saying reviews don't matter or that critics should review a show based on how much money it'll make. I read gibsons2's comment as saying reviews were irrelevant to the producers who are certainly making a pretty penny off the show, or to the audience who just want to see RDJ no matter what. Of course reviews can still matter to people who wish to discuss the actual quality of the play being presented but that's a different topic of conversation. 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 4:17am

It just goes to show how hit or miss Bartlett Sher can be when it comes to shepherding new material.