Pippin Reviews!- Page 2

[MaddieBB12]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 9:14pm

^Exactly. The circus tricks are such a huge part of the show, and some of them are pretty intense and tricky. I can't see then compromising some of the incredible stunts he does just to have some name in the role.

Updated On: 4/25/13 at 09:14 PM

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 9:16pm

With only two swings (who seem to be musical theatre performers as opposed to circus performers), what happens when one of the specialty circus performers is out? Those players are harder to replace than any of the principals, I would think. I'm assuming all of the principals learned their tricks for the show and didn't know how to do them before the production.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 9:29pm

The whole cast was wonderful INCLUDING Michael James Thomas. Word from the grapevine is that Brantley is going to pan it. Of course this is here-say from a friend of friend of a critic who heard.... so who knows. If Brantley doesn't like this he should have his head examined. Not to mention permanently replaced. Best revival in many years. It was better than the original. Best thing on Broadway. The Artistic staff of Annie should be tied to chairs and forced to watch this ten times so they can see what a revival can be instead of that dreck they are parading as a revival.
Everyone in the cast was better than the original with the exception of Charlotte D'amboise who was almost as good. Who'd have thought you could improve on Fosse.

[Trish2]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 9:31pm

BLOOMBERG misses the sex and sensuality of the original.
Andrea Martin’s Swing-a-Long Dazzles in ‘Pippin’

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 9:33pm

Just read the NBC review. Wow, it reveals of a lot of the special moments and plot points (including the finale!), no? Also, I've never thought of "On the Right Track" as a "graceful second act pas de deux."

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 9:36pm

From reading various articles about the show during it's run at ART and the lead up to opening, they mentioned some performers had "basic" circus training or backgrounds that led to it--Terrance Mann knew how to juggle and throw knives, Molly Tynes and Bethany Moore both had some aerialist experience, and Patina Miller had some gymnastics experience. I don't think anyone would consider their experience extensive, but it was clearly a benefit to the show.

I think when the time comes, other performers will be able to replace leads, but it may be individuals who have some special hidden talents as well.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 9:51pm

The Hollywood Reporter calls it "a modern musical relic polished to a brilliant sheen." Praise for the incorporation of dance and circus work by Snider and Walker--they seem to hit the nail on the head when they talk about how the effects fit the performance like a glove.

The Chicago Tribune has high remarks for Paulus, Snider, Walker, and Snider, as well as for the cast, saying it has freshness and exuberance.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/theaterloop/ct-0425-pippin-broadway-review-20130425,0,2216307.column



Hollywood Reporter Updated On: 4/25/13 at 09:51 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 9:56pm

Entertainment Weekly is a rave with an A: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20364394_20693853,00.html

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 9:56pm

TheaterMania is a rave: http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/reviews/04-2013/pippin_64980.html

The Associated Press is a rave: http://online.wsj.com/article/APfaedcde8df674391ae1edbf18ea9ac33.html

Chicago Tribune is a rave: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/theaterloop/ct-0425-pippin-broadway-review-20130425,0,2216307.column

Talkin' Broadway is negative (how does Matthew Murray still have a job...?): http://www.talkinbroadway.com/world/Pippin2013.html Updated On: 4/25/13 at 09:56 PM

[chanel]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 10:02pm

Villagevoice.com says the show has at least seven "wow" moments. A huge rave.

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/dailymusto/2013/04/pippin_opens_my.php

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 10:02pm

Man, Murray is a CUNT.

Most emblematic of the whole experience is Patina Miller. Last seen on the Main Stem belting and mugging her way through Sister Act, she has transformed the beguiling Leading Player (created by Ben Vereen) into a demonic manifestation of everything that's wrong with both the universe and Broadway. Astringent and charmless, she robotically prances through her dances, exaggerates every syllable of her barked lines and lyrics as if she's articulating to Oregon, and constantly maintains a maniacal grin that makes it look like her face became paralyzed while she was chomping an apple. One could argue that she's demonstrating the molded-plastic promises of the debauched life Pippin is pursuing, but no good advertisement contains that little likability or that much shellacked artifice.

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/world/Pippin2013.html

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 10:06pm

Brantley...didn't like it very much. Wow.

NY Times is mixed:
http://theater.nytimes.com/2013/04/26/theater/reviews/pippin-directed-by-diane-paulus-at-the-music-box-theater.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 Updated On: 4/25/13 at 10:06 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 10:06pm

I really don't understand why Murray is lumped in with the rest of the professional critics. He writes for a little-read website with absolutely zero clout.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

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

NJ Newsroom is positive: http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/movies/pippin-broadway-review-stephen-schwartzs-musical-returns-as-a-cheerful-circus

NY Mag is mixed to positive: http://www.vulture.com/2013/04/theater-review-pippin.html

USA Today is a rave with four out of four stars: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/04/25/broadway-review-pippin/2106973/

Village Voice is a rave: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/dailymusto/2013/04/pippin_opens_my.php Updated On: 4/25/13 at 10:10 PM

[CarrieEmmy]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 10:11pm

I'm devastated by the Brantley pan. Do you think this will hurt the show? Did he even see the same show we did?

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 10:12pm

I WEIRDLY understand Brantley's beef with the production. I disagree with him, but I kind of understand the "this production is showy for the sake of being showy" interpretation. I felt that at times, but it didn't really bother me the way it seems to have bothered him. And least he liked Andrea and Rachel. He did NOT care for Patina though.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 10:12pm

What is wrong with that Talking Broadway reviewer? He's hating "Pippin" all over. from RC in Austin, Texas

Updated On: 4/25/13 at 10:12 PM

[ReggieonBway]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 10:16pm

It's hard to call a reviewer wrong, but Brantley is just completely off the mark here. Patina was incredible, and the production itself is fabulous.

[MaddieBB12]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 10:16pm

Overall, so far, it seems like quite the mixed bag.

[WhatIWasBorn2Do]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 10:17pm

Im agreeing with the criticism from most of the mixed reviewers, but I too agree Brantley took it a little far. I did laugh, however, at "Mr. Thomas — who has the face, haircut and voice of a tween-dream boy-band singer — suggests Pippin as Bieber in Wonderland. He’s likable, though, in part because he so often looks overwhelmed, and it’s easy for the audience to empathize." (Brantley, NYT)

[Move On]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 10:19pm

I'm embarrassed to say that I maxed out my articles and don't have a subscription to the Times. If it's legal, could someone copy and paste it?

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 10:20pm

It's not legal, but just click "stop" before it's finished loading, and you should be able to freeze the article.

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 10:21pm

It's time for Brantley & Isherwood to go

[musicalman2]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 10:24pm

I hate to say it, but I agree with Brantley for once. I loved a bunch of things about this show, but they were all accessories to it. The circus stuff just pulled my focus and was usually more interesting than the story itself.

Aside from Andrea Martin's tour de force, which is amazing, the one other moment which I felt melded the two especially well was the scene between Charles and Fastrada with the knives.

[Emmaloucbway]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 10:24pm

I'm really shocked at Brantley's review. Especially about Patina. I swear we saw different shows...