MEMPHIS Reviews — Page 2

Wayman_Wong , yes, I'd rather see an original musical than the umpteenth jukebox musical about the rise and fall of a pop band but if said original musical is not well-written, like MEMPHIS, that's a different story. Just because an original musical comes to Broadway doesn't mean everyone should fall at its feet. If it's poorly and shoddily put-together, the intent is there (I even said in my review that I hate ripping a new one for new musicals) but the craftsmanship isn't. And that should be noted; jukebox musical or not.

And honestly, EVERY cast and crew member of EVERY Broadway show works their asses off. That doesn't make the show good. Or the performances good. Or the technical aspects good. Hard work gives you a final result, not necessarily a good or a bad one. Just because MEMPHIS is nowhere near as good as, say, HAIRSPRAY, doesn't mean that there was more hard work put into one or the other. Hard work gets you to Broadway, where MEMPHIS is. The next step is what is important in the "artistic integrity" of the show. Strong material, performances, technical aspects, direction, etc get you (usually) critical and public acclaim, where HAIRSPRAY was.

I don't think everyone is WISHING bad reviews on MEMPHIS, they're just surprised they're not more negative. I hated the show but I would never wish it get ripped to shreds by the critics; but I am extremely surprised by these reviews so far.

Updated On: 10/19/09 at 07:37 PM

Although I don't doubt you, perfectlymarvelous, their grosses certainly don't reflect it. And these reviews (IMHO), if somehow helpful, are not exactly the road to be a mega hit.

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"And while it grows repetitive, Sergio Trujillo's muscular choreography and the high-energy dance ensemble provide a big assist in maintaining some momentum even when the storytelling flags."

I wonder what muscular choreography is? Is there a body building number ? Is Nick Adams around ?

I wouldn't say it isn't based on anything. It is based on actual events.

VERY loosely based on actual events.

Well, yes, Yankee. I refuse to believe any human being said "hocka-doo" that much.

amNY - Mixed-to-Positive

Occasionally, "Memphis" feels clichéd and reminiscent of storylines already seen in "Hairspray," "Dreamgirls" and "Jersey Boys." But more often than not, its careful balance of pure fun and character drama proves to be irresistible.
amNY

TheaterMania is mixed to positive:

"Much like its main character, in-your-face southern DJ Huey Calhoun, the likable new musical Memphis, which is getting a remarkably polished and well-acted production under Christopher Ashley's direction at Broadway's Shubert Theatre, practically dares you to love it. And like Huey, Memphis may well turn out to be a huge crowd-pleaser. But whether one is willing to fully embrace the show or simply give it a little hug will depend on one's willingness to overlook the project's tonal inconsistencies and reliance on cliche.

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Joe DiPietro's patchwork book not only too often recalls better musicals, specifically Hairspray and Dreamgirls, but never seems entirely clear what kind of story it wants to tell. While Hairspray also tackled integration, nothing remotely tragic was likely to happen to its characters, so we could all sit back and enjoy the show's lightness. But the stakes are far higher here -- especially once we see Huey and Felicia being savagely beaten at the end of Act I -- which makes the show's too-many-forays into standard musical folderol somewhat uncomfortable considering the seriousness of the subject matter.

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Faring better than the book is Memphis' score, by DiPietro and Bon Jovi's David Bryan (who also teamed up for The Toxic Avenger), which is consistently melodic and often catchy.

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Full Review

Updated On: 10/19/09 at 09:19 PM

So far Garnder is the only who's called out Chad Kimball on an absolutely atrocious performance.

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Updated On: 10/19/09 at 09:50 PM

I'm glad to see the reviews aren't the bloodbath you all were predicting. A lot of friends have seen the show and love it. I can't wait to go back.

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<< It is a big crowd-pleaser though so I can see it running for a while because of that. >>

I must have been surrounded by a different crowd--- Crowd at my show (the ones that didnt leave) seemed to loathe it.