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.

[MezzA101]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 5:40am

NYT: Robert Downey Jr. Is a Novelist With a Novel Muse

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/30/theater/mcneal-review-ai-robert-downey-jr.html?unlocked_article_code=1.O04.QuIw.xc_fmhQP0kwj

[JasonC3]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 8:08am

Critics' reviews (as well as word of mouth, of course) also help shape perceptions, credibility, and brand of each artist and production team member, consciously or subconsciously.

Example:

Each strong or positive review Sher gets for a major musical revival adds to the narrative about his capabilities with said productions.

Each time he gets the opposite for shepherding new material, it shapes the narrative that maybe he's not that good with new plays.

I've yet to have coffee, so I may not be as clear here as I would like, but I think you get the idea. Updated On: 10/1/24 at 08:08 AM

[inception]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 9:32am

Is stubhub the best place to resell?  Trying to decide whether to dump my November member ticket & see something better?  Do they email the tickets a week ahead?  But what might be better that I'm not already seeing? My other options haven't started previews & I would just be going off of out of town reports: Wonderful World, Swept Away, Death Becomes Her, Maybe Happy Ending, or We Live in Cairo of-bwy.  Even if I keep my McNeal ticket, I still have time during my visit to see one of those 5 choices.  I bought the McNeal ticket for the novelty if seeing RDj, but if the play stinks I don't want to waste my time.

[JasonC3]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 9:48am

inception said: "Is stubhub the best place to resell? Trying to decide whether to dump my November member ticket & see something better? Do they email the tickets a week ahead? But what might be better that I'm not already seeing? My other options haven't started previews & I would just be going off of out of town reports: Wonderful World, Swept Away, Death Becomes Her, Maybe Happy Ending, or We Live in Cairo of-bwy. Even if I keep my McNeal ticket, I still have time during my visit to see one of those 5 choices. I bought the McNeal ticket for the novelty if seeing RDj, but if the play stinks I don't want to waste my time."

If you email or call LCT customer service they will refund member tickets ... it is one of the benefits. I just did this for MCNEAL the other day. Just say you now have a conflict and cannot attend.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 9:49am

I'm intrigued by the shortcomings of the play, in particular its weakness as a piece of satisfying theatrical storytelling, independent of its topicality, which admittedly serves the cultural moment.  I'm a big admirer of Disgraced, the Pulitzer winner that put this playwright on the map. Yet its brilliance - its central character daringly conceived and shaped as counterpoint in a post-9/11 world -  is almost independent its plot machinery. Which is contrived and doesn't bear close scrutiny: the major turn in the story is the result of two unlikely actions, partners of different couples abruptly leaving a dinner party to buy champagne - to allow the other two character to have an intimate scene about their covert relationship - and then the partners' return, a convenient walk-in on a perfectly timed kiss.  The subsequent violent behavior that ensues is so genuinely powerful we almost forget the level of contrivance - which is both the stuff of soap opera and implausible on this particular night and in this setting. Reading this new play's reviews - many of which find the plot strained and unbelievable - I can't help but remember Disgraced and how the disturbing and well-articulated portrait of its deeply troubled protagonist glossed over its manipulated story elements.  Akhtar's gifts are considerable, but it's ever true that sleight of hand in plotting is required to sell even the most relevant sociopolitical issues. 

[inception]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 10:50am

JasonC3 said: "

If you email or call LCT customer service they will refund member tickets ... it is one of the benefits. I just did this for MCNEAL the other day. Just say you now have a conflict and cannot attend."

Thanks for that info Jason!

[sinister teashop]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 12:04pm

Yes, reviews do ultimately matter especially for a production at a nonprofit theater. I am sure that LCT would prefer a sold out show to empty seats, especially as it is going through a difficult time. But LCT has other cultural pressures it has to respond to over the long run and they can’t afford a reputation as a nonprofit that consistently presents stars in mediocre new plays and productions.

I liked the play more than most but I agree it is not a good or strong one. But it did hold my interest and I enjoyed its thematic twists and turns.

Updated On: 10/1/24 at 12:04 PM

[inception]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 3:14pm

Update: I emailed customer service & got a reply & refund in under an hour. They did include a little lecture about how this was a one time courtesy as "all sales are final" - but come on, now they're going to list my $97 orchestra member ticket for $300+.  I could have tried stubhub, but it feels like more of a hassle.  I used the $20 discount going on right now over at Today Tix & bought an ok mezz seat for Swept Away.

 

inception said: "JasonC3 said: "

If you email or call LCT customer service they will refund member tickets ... it is one of the benefits. I just did this for MCNEAL the other day. Just say you now have a conflict and cannot attend."

Thanks for that info Jason!"

 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 6:29pm

If you ever get hassled, just quote them the membership benefits listed on the LCT website, the last of which states: "The luxury of exchanging or refunding tickets up to 72 hours prior to the performance."

https://www.lct.org/membership/benefits/

They aren't doing us a favor by refunding nor is it a one-time courtesy lol.