REDWOOD Reviews

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 1:26pm

Let the 2025 Broadway musical slate officially begin!

Take a shot each time "Defying Gravity" is mentioned, referenced, or quoted in some form tonight. :)

Updated On: 2/13/25 at 01:26 PM

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 1:33pm

I fear a blood bath.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 5:31pm

I thought this was pretty terrible when I saw the second preview. I can't imagine the critics loving this, but who knows these days.

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 9:21pm

When are these expected to drop?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 9:23pm

This appears worse than IF/THEN, but Idina's fans will keep this running [likely] through the end of the year.

[OhHiii]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 9:24pm

They’re starting and ouch…

https://observer.com/2025/02/review-idina-menzel-goes-out-on-a-limb-in-eco-musical-redwood/

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 10:03pm

“You want to leave shivering with the majesty of nature; instead, it feels like 110 minutes staring at a potted plant.”

Good night, America. 

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 10:07pm

I'm seeing nothing but negative reviews from every other outlet, and yet Jesse Green gives it a Critic's Pick. What is wrong with him?

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/theater/review-idina-menzel-climbs-to-new-broadway-heights-in-redwood.html

[bwayobsessed]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 10:07pm

I saw it last night. From the word of mouth I was expecting to hate it but it’s fine. I think it’s getting more hate than it deserves. It’s not amazing but it was enjoyable for me. 

[TennisFan]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 10:07pm

Jesse Green gave it a Critic's Pick. I was not expecting that. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 10:09pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "“You want to leave shivering with the majesty of nature; instead, it feels like 110 minutes staring at a potted plant.”

Good night, America."

F*cking BRUTAL.

 

[dangeresque49]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 10:10pm

The problem with this show is Idina cast herself with a huge workload when she can not do 8 shows a week at this level anymore. The straining to hit notes takes the viewer right out of the show live. The people I talked to on the streets who had seen the show thought the same way about it.

The people posting about issues with the audio need to understand that the issue is they are trying to mix below Idina's weak voice which sucks the power out of the show. The songs were clearly meant to be of the pop hit variety of dear Evan Hansen. Now imagine those songs if Ben Platt could barely sing above a whisper and the whole show sounded like a wet fart. 

Never have I seen a show where the lead was so outclassed by her co star (Becca in this case). Most of the cast of hell's kitchen and their understudies could have done a better job than Idina at this point. 

There is actually a really good show somewhere in here. It's a shame that the producers will never be able to find it. Maybe someone in regional theater will be able to. 

[TennisFan]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 10:13pm

ElephantLoveMedley said: "I'm seeing nothing but negative reviews from every other outlet, and yet Jesse Green gives it a Critic's Pick. What is wrong with him?

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/theater/review-idina-menzel-climbs-to-new-broadway-heights-in-redwood.html"

I just think he is an Idina fangirl. He liked "If/Then" too.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 10:15pm

Positive from Variety. 

Updated On: 2/13/25 at 10:15 PM

[TennisFan]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 10:25pm

Johnny Oleksinki, The New York Post: There’s trauma after trauma. Yet what’s so puzzling about “Redwood” is that it’s a textbook tearjerker — a mom in mourning rediscovering herself midair, weighty speeches about losing everything — that leaves your eyes totally dry.

Yikes

[raddersons]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 10:29pm

Sara Holdren at Vulture thinks the show is bland and lacks passion. I particularly giggled at: "Is this woman really going to hold the time-sensitive research of two botanists hostage to her own personal trauma?"

[BroadwayFanatic454]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 10:41pm

bwayobsessed said: "I saw it last night. From the word of mouth I was expecting to hate it but it’s fine. I think it’s getting more hate than it deserves. It’s not amazing but it was enjoyable for me."

I'd like to second and uplift this remark. The word of mouth has felt nearly vitriolic at times. The reviews showcase a range of opinions, clearly showing how this show is not for everyone. But no show is for everyone. I hope the more positive reviews and word of mouth inspire people who might enjoy this show to go and see it. I commend the creative team for their bravery (as do many of the critics who published reviews tonight). 

[RW3]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 10:47pm

I wonder how fast the ‘Critic’s Pick’ designation is going to go on the show’s website. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 10:59pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "“You want to leave shivering with the majesty of nature; instead, it feels like 110 minutes staring at a potted plant.”

Good night, America."

I’m offended by this remark on behalf of HwaBoon, Broadway’s newest beloved potted plant.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 11:12pm

DTLI Consensus: Even a better-than-ever Idina Menzel can't save this Redwood from near-irreparable damage. 

8 negative, 5 mixed, 3 positive (including the NYT).

https://didtheylikeit.com/shows/redwood/

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 11:14pm

After Wicked, Menzel and team have become experts in picking duds.

Sad part is that she's not that big of a name to make them any money back. She'd do better at revivals.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 2/14/25 at 1:07am

I was at opening night and it is a bad sign when even your opening night audience is responding with polite applause after numbers

this shows biggest sin is that it is just kind of boring, I never really cared about the characters, the sons story makes no sense and god the rapping was so cringy 

word of mouth with catch up to this one, and they really need to be making over a million a week....

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 2/14/25 at 6:48am

I know taste is entirely subjective - part of what makes theatre so great and fun to discuss, but I can't help but wonder if Jesse Green is just a little... out of touch with some of his reviews at times?

Updated On: 2/14/25 at 06:48 AM

[rg7759]

Posted: 2/14/25 at 7:42am

It happened even with wicked at 1st, frozen, if then and probably redwood, that it might not be the best reviewed but if it's idina we'll go see it anyway-mentality

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/14/25 at 7:56am

To state the obvious these reviews aren't as positive as those for If/Then, but then this show has a catchier title and a concept that at least has visual significance: a grieving woman in a forest. If/Then - and I was a semi-fan, and even saw it twice - was so convoluted in structural design it was damn near impossible to market without annotating plot explications, other than to sell the star as a contemporary woman (remember the poster, Central Park with twin paths?)  I will go out on a limb (!) and guess that this show will run til Labor Day anyway. Menzel does sell tickets, and the show just looks intriguing.