Pippin Reviews!

[442namffug]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 6:22pm

Pippin review thread! Post 'em if you got 'em.

[whatever2]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 6:50pm

Is Limelight Mike OK? I cannot believe he missed this ...

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 7:15pm

Expecting all raves again

[hubee]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 7:28pm

Time Out NY's Adam Feldman is a rave. http://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/pippin

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 7:36pm

My thoughts exactly! I haven't been that enthralled by a musical since -- well, let's not go into that! I'm getting on in years, but if this is my exit line, I'll die happy!!!!! Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!!!!!!

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 7:58pm

Anyone else think the Times won't like it just to go against everyone else?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 8:05pm

No.

[evic]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 8:09pm

If Brantley pans it, he loses any credibility he has.

[chrisampm2]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 8:12pm

ucjrdude902, do you have any evidence a Times critic ever puts out a pan just to go against the tide?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 8:14pm

AM New York is positive but hated Matthew James Thomas:

****But there is a weak link to this staging, namely Matthew James Thomas’ lifeless performance as Pippin. He mars the production with his hollow acting and weak singing. Nevertheless, this production has an incredible amount of “Magic to Do.”


OUCH. Sad, and unjust.




Link

Updated On: 4/25/13 at 08:14 PM

[broadway guy]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 8:20pm

yikes

[lenstersf]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 8:22pm

I think the production is absolutely fantastic, but when I watched it in Cambridge, I didn't think Matthew James Thomas was bad, just the most replaceable. His singing was great, but otherwise, his performance wasn't too noteworthy. Reading others' comments, I thought he had made changes to bolster his performance (I was really looking forward to seeing this...) but now I'm concerned! I wouldn't call his singing "weak" or his performance "lifeless," though...rough. Eek.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 8:26pm

One loved him, the other didn't. Hardly a reason to be "concerned".

[MaddieBB12]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 8:37pm

A little harsh...

[Queen of the Night]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 8:43pm

Trust me, nothing to be concerned about. We caught the last preview on Tuesday night and Matthew James Thomas was anything but lifeless! Don't know what performance this critic was watching, but I don't think it was the same one I saw.

[theaternut]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 8:46pm

Well girl we know it is all about you.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 8:49pm

A rave, calling it a "must see". (That loved Thomas.)
NBC New York

[Trish2]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 8:53pm

My favorite two lines from that NBC review:

"This revival, choreographed by Chet Walker “in the style” of original director Bob Fosse, is Fosse by way of the Flying Wallendas."

"My advice is to judge this “Pippin” based on how it makes you feel, once you’ve separated that from all the delightful noise. It left me ecstatic and spent, and feeling like it’s time to attend trapeze school."

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 8:54pm

For what it's worth, I agree with amNY here. I loved everything BUT MJT. I thought he was solidly miscast. Pretty? Yes. Pippin? No.

[MaddieBB12]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 8:59pm

a ROCK STAR, indeed. :)

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 9:00pm

i know it's not really fair or accurate to base it on the little commercial... but i didn't like matthew james thomas' voice at all... that being said... the video did make me absolutely want to watch the production... it looks fantastic!

[Trish2]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 9:02pm

No matter how the reviews go tonight, I bet Thomas is the first to eventually be replaced by the Weisslers famous stunt casting. Too many GLEE boys out there to easily cover that spot !

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 9:06pm

I thought he did a fine job. He made me feel about the character what I thought I should/would feel at the end f the show. Plus I got to touch him during the Act ll opener. :)

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 9:07pm

Chord Overstreet?

[choitoy]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 9:10pm

I don't see this show until June, but with all the circus tricks that the actors perform, I wonder just how easily replaced the major cast members are. From what I've read, MJT has to do more than just sing/dance/act, but also perform certain circus themed tricks. I don't know that all of them are (I think I read at least trapeze and something with a pole), so are these easily taught to someone like Darren Criss (to use the GLEE analogy)? Or are the actors only doing some simple routines a la Circus of the Stars?