Miracle Worker Reviews

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 3:54pm

I guess the reviews may begin to trickle out soon...

[sgv123]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 4:04pm

Not a review, but here is show footage from the website:

http://www.miracleworkeronbroadway.com/

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 4:32pm

Oh my gosh, I'm totally in that video.
Annnyyyway, break a leg to everyone involved tonight!

[GatorNY]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 6:22pm

Where is LimelightMike?

Updated On: 3/3/10 at 06:22 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 7:25pm

The Hollywood Reporter is mixed, calling it "credible," but has issues (surprise, surprise) with the staging.


Hollywood Reporter Updated On: 3/3/10 at 07:25 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 7:27pm

USA Today is also mixed, giving it 2.5 stars (out of 4), and calling it "dated," but gives praise to Pill and Breslin.
USA Today

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 7:28pm

Variety is positive (and stresses the play's kiddie appeal)

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117942344.html?categoryId=33&cs=1

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 7:31pm

Backstage is mixed to positive, with a rave for Pill and a solid notice for Breslin. However, the review cautions, "You should never stage "The Miracle Worker" in the round."
Backstage review

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 7:34pm

The Variety review is positive, with raves for Pill and Breslin.
Variety

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 7:52pm

I really hope this play can last until the Tonys!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 8:05pm

Kuchwara's AP review is positive, with good notices for Pill and Breslin. However, he also takes issues with the staging and direction.
AP review

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 8:13pm

The Chicago Tribune is mixed to negative. Nice reviews for Pill and Breslin, but he absolutely hated the supporting cast and calls staging the show in the round an "idea that mostly seems to cause everyone problems."

Chicago Tribune Updated On: 3/3/10 at 08:13 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 9:52pm

Good old El Paso Inc. has leaked the NY Times review again, and it's a pan.

He respected Pill for being different from Bancroft, but thinks that, "an over-the-top ferocity may be necessary to camouflage the cliches of what Annie has to say." Doesn't like anything about the production, and has major issues with the in the round staging, saying, "The Circle in the Square is an in-the-round theater, a geometric fact that seems to have defeated the designers here."

Not good. This might be the nail in their coffin.

NY Times on Miracle Worker Updated On: 3/3/10 at 09:52 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 10:09pm

As always, going totally against everyone else, good old Matthew Murray at Talkin' Broadway is a rave.
Talkin' Broadway review

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 10:13pm

Has anyone else heard that a closing notice was posted for this pending the reviews (and results of them) ??

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 10:18pm

I haven't seen this production, so I'm in no position to comment one way or the other. BUT, I never thought the idea of reviving it on Broadway was a good idea from the get-go. The value of the original production lay in the performances of Bancroft/Duke, both of which were captured well in the movie. Just a mis-guided effort, with no offense to all. I do object, however, to the criticism of the use of the Circle in the Square's playing space. Last year's production of The Norman Conquests proved that, when well-staged, any piece can be most effective. Just my thoughts.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 10:18pm

That rumor was on ATC.

[adamgreer]

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

I do object, however, to the criticism of the use of the Circle in the Square's playing space. Last year's production of The Norman Conquests proved that, when well-staged, any piece can be most effective. Just my thoughts.

None of the reviews, or anyone on here, has any issues with the space itself, just how it is utilized for THIS production. The director didn't have any idea how to use the space. It's also possible that this is a play which fundamentally doesn't work in the round.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 10:54pm

I am in agreement with AdamGreer about the comments being about the UTILIZATION of the space, not the space itself.

Even though I hope to catch this (have tix for April) I am wary when you have to be warned against sitting in more than 1/2 the theater.

And thanks to Ljay for giving me the source of the rumor....I dont' visit there, but a highly accurate friend had mentioned it to me. Didn't ask where she heard it.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 11:21pm

Looks like my boy Brantley is giving it a pan:

http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/theater/reviews/04miracle.html?hpw

This is the death blow for the production.

(Adam: try NOT to repeat this post again, please!)
Updated On: 3/3/10 at 11:21 PM

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 11:27pm

My bad Adam! I pulled a you and didn't read up! However, I do agree: without the New York Times attached, this play is gone.

HELLO SCOTTSBORO BOYS!!!

[D2]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 11:34pm

As for the closing notice, as I understand it Actors' Equity requires producers to give their members at least a one week notice before they close a play. Therefore, closing notices are posted in advance of an opening just in case the reviews are terrible and they (the producers) decide to cut their losses quickly.

Updated On: 3/3/10 at 11:34 PM

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 11:36pm

Miss Worinskey just started her full time duties this week as Artistic Director of Intiman (replacing Bart Sher) this week. Seems to be bad timing.

I say close it. It doesn't seem to be ringing anyone's bells. Scottsboro Boys please!

And I've never seen that poster from ATC be wrong about any other rumors he's posted.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 11:42pm

If this show shutters, Million Dollar Quartet really needs to move to this space. It's gonna flop at the Nederlander. I mean, it plays in a round in Chicago. It would work.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 11:59pm

Would their running costs be low enough for it to make a profit in Circle in the Square? Besides, too late to change their minds now. And that director would be best not to return to Circle after his last disaster there.