MEMPHIS Reviews- Page 2

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 7:36pm

blaxx, I've actually heard mostly positive things about this show via word of mouth (aside from this board, obviously). The friends that I went to see it with loved it, and a lot of other people I know have loved it as well. Not to mention all of the reader reviews on NYtimes.com are positive.

Of course none of this guarantees that it'll be a hit (and I don't think it will be a massive hit) but I've heard mostly good things about it and I was told by someone via Facebook that I was the only person she had heard from that didn't like it.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 7:37pm

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

[Dantes]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 7:38pm

"So, we gotta cheer for it because these people worked their butts off in this mediocre piece? Your attempt at a shill post made little sense."

Blaxx have you seen it?

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 7:43pm

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.

[Basely Tearful]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 7:45pm

I don't think it matters if Blaxx has seen Memphis or not. Wayman's statement seems to say that the show should get great reviews because the cast and creative team worked very hard. That is a preposterous reason to support a show. Everyone on Broadway "works their butts off". It doesn't mean they shouldn't be judged by the same set of standards as everyone else. This isn't High School or Community theatre were effort is rewarded over quality in most cases.
Updated On: 10/19/09 at 07:45 PM

[Trish2]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 7:49pm

"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 ?

[HometownGlory]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 7:49pm

I am amazed that anything positive can be found in these reviews! Maybe it has really improved since early previews when I saw it. I thought it was wretched. Kimball's performance (and accent) was borderline excruciating. The book was cliche and trite, the music wasn't catchy, and the whole show was just painfully...OBVIOUS, for lack of a better word. It was like a bargain-basement version of a Broadway show.

I do like the fact that it is an original musical, but I don't feel obligated to like it because of the fact that it isn't based on anything. Y'know what recent musical was GREAT and also completely original? The Drowsy Chaperone. I don't want to see anybody get raked over the coals but I do not feel that Memphis is worthy of any accolades.

[Basely Tearful]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 7:52pm

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

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 7:54pm

I saw it, yes. And yes, they had A LOT of energy, I give them that. But, at least to me, the anecdote didn't justify a full length musical and just seemed as a poor excuse to exploit themes that seemed relevant, but were handled a lot better in other recent Broadway musicals. And yes, I admit I'm not a Kimball fan.

Anyhow, let's hope the season has more surprises with new musicals and they don't have to nominate shows for Tonys by default.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 7:55pm

VERY loosely based on actual events.

[HometownGlory]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 7:55pm

You're right. I meant it's not adapted from a book or film and is also not a jukebox musical.
Updated On: 10/19/09 at 07:55 PM

[Basely Tearful]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 8:00pm

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

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 8:06pm

Exactly.

[MarkK]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 8:45pm

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

[MarkK]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 8:49pm

USA Today mixed-to-Negative

She really didn't like Kimball

It's tough to see how Montego Glover's elegant Felicia could be attracted to Chad Kimball's buffoonish Huey, who suggests a cross between an aging stand-up comic and a parody of George W. Bush in his frat-boy heyda.
USA TODAY

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 9:19pm

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.

...

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.

...

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.

..."


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

[Basely Tearful]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 9:20pm

I never thought I'd actually say this but I agree with Elyssa Gardner.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 9:24pm

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

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 9:49pm

From Frank Scheck in the Hollywood Reporter: 'Don't hesitate before booking a ticket to 'Memphis.' It is joyfully entertaining ... & could well turn out to be a surprise hit.'
Hollywood Reporter: Review of 'Memphis'

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 9:50pm

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

[Testing1232]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 9:51pm

<< The NY Times review is up ridiculously early (it's Isherwood), and he didn't like it.

He calls it, "the Michael Bolton of musicals."

>>

An insult to Michael Bolton fans everywhere.

[bdwaygirl]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 9:53pm

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.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 9:56pm

I was going to say mixed-to-positive. It's not negative. He calls it "likable" and has problems with it but really only seems to hate the book. He makes note of how flawed it is but still says it's enjoyable. And he liked the cast.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 10:00pm

<< 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.

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 10:02pm

Mixed-to-positive sounds better than just positive.