Predictions on Brantley or Isherwood's ROCKY review?

[Lucy Harbin]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 11:43pm

I don't know which one is reviewing it. But I think, up until Love's Labour's Lost, one or both of them had written rave love letters to pretty much everything Alex Timbers had ever directed. However, I'm wondering if people think this is the kind of show they could never possibly like? Or could you see them being positive on this?

[CoreyRyan3]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 12:35am

I think it will get positive reviews and maybe a few raves.

As to Brantley and Isherwood, I'm not sure. Could go either way for Brantley but I think Isherwood would enjoy it.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 12:41am

Is there a lady Brantley can gaycream over?

[~~tiny3~~]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 1:12am

This is the kind of show the NY critics love to hate, quite frankly.

And having just come home from seeing this, I regrettably hated the show, probably the only person who has hated the show. The place went BALLISTIC. Not my cup of tea at all, but everyone has their opinion. Too bloated, horrible music, except for 1 tune that
Adrian sang in ACt 1, and waaaaay too much distracting dangerous looking scenery. Belongs in Vegas, maybe. Yes, the last 20 minutes were mind boggling scenery, but overall, the show gave me ZERO EMOTION,

What was GREAT in the film, namely being small, subtle, and romantic was all lost here, imho.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 5:44am

Tiny -- you are FAR from alone. While I can't say I HATED it, I agree with most of what you said. My 13 year old liked it more than did I, and yes, the audience as a whole, did go ballistic.

I think this will get lots of "on the fence" type of reviews, but will lean toward the negative.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 8:10am

I have two friends who saw the show and left before the end....they thought it was awful (they were like - do I see my kids before they go to sleep tonight or stay longer? They opted for the kids). They loved the movie and felt the show did not do it justice and did not capture any of the warm spirit of the film.

I generally respect what they have to say...but to each his own I guess.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 9:23am

I think it will be negative especially since most people have said the music is not a strong point. I don't see Brantley liking the spectacle of the fight but could be wrong.

[wexy]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 9:59am

I don't think that they will like it. I saw it yesterday and really enjoyed it. I'm more off an off Broadway/art house movie person. Once in a while there is nothing wrong with liking something that appeals to the masses and leave the critical thinking cap off..

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 10:14am

I'm thinking they just might sum it up the way I am. Lacking in some major qualities that make a great show, but entertaining enough to make it a hit.

Bottom line - if a show captures the tourist trade, it's a long running hit. This will.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 10:57am

If Isherwood reviews this, he will tear it a new one. He is not kind to the mainstream.

[bdn223]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 10:59am

If Brantley or Isherwood have not made up their mind as to whether they will be writing a positive or negative review by the end of the first act, I believe Rocky's strong second act will win them over or at least give the show a mixed review. The only way I see the show getting a total pan is if Brantley or Isherwood hate the first act and are just looking to find more examples of what went wrong in the second act. Otherwise I see the show getting mixed to raves. The final 20 minutes, the fight, is probably one of the most enthralling moments in the theater that I have experienced in a long time, which makes up for the slow first half of the first act in my opinion.

[Sauja]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 11:01am

Brantley's reviewing. Talked to someone who mentioned seeing him in the house over the weekend. He's always been exceptionally kind to everything Timbers has done. I'm anticipating a good review. If maybe not as glowing as some earlier takes on Timbers' work. But we shall see!

[Steve721]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 11:10am

Haven't seen it, but from what I've read and heard, if the score is weak and the main attraction of the show is the spectacle, I expect the NY Times will pan it.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 11:21am

Sauja--
not *everything* Timbers has done.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/13/theater/reviews/loves-labours-lost-loosely-speaking-in-central-park.html

[SomeOtherMe]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 11:32am

I honestly don't see this being the type of show that Brantley would rave about, but I guess we'll see.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 11:43am

I don't think Brantley will have issue with the direction per se, but the score is another story though.

[pinoyidol2006]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 1:44pm

I'm guessing mixed to positive.

He'll be critical of the score, but praise Timbers' work. I'm hoping he'll give special attention to the final 20-30 minutes of the show.

[sopranobiz]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 3:49pm

Do people even care about Brantley anymore?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 3:57pm

Unfortunately many do .

They consider him the Sondheim of critics. I avoid him.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 4:07pm

I don't know anybody who thinks that Brantley's the Sondheim of critics. And they don't know anybody who does either.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 9:37pm

I don't know. One thing you can count on: There WILL be narcissistic one-upsmanship about whether the review was mixed, mixed-positive, or mixed-negative.

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 9:47pm

let's hear it for narcissistic one upmansip over the reviews!

I'm rooting for the show!

Updated On: 3/13/14 at 09:47 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 9:51pm

I'd say that's Chex Party Mix to Negative.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 9:52pm

Most of the time I do.

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 9:52pm

I'd say there are some m&m's in the mix!