RIALTO CHATTER: Major SPIDER-MAN Reviews Coming Tomorrow! - Page 4

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 2/7/11 at 10:43pm

I think it's safe to say that all the pull quotes for this production will be coming from Glenn Beck.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/7/11 at 10:50pm

I just find it interesting that it seems the bulk of the critics were there at the same performance. The production had to know they were there.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/7/11 at 10:52pm

So basically mixed-to-positive so far, I'd say.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 2/7/11 at 11:03pm

My unasked-for comment. It's a piece of ****, it always it was a piece of **** and will always remain an embarrisingly piece of ****. Amen.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/7/11 at 11:04pm

give the show credit, I'd say the reviews are at a trainwreck level, but that's being nice.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/7/11 at 11:05pm

But...But...they're fixing it!

[Kad]

Posted: 2/7/11 at 11:07pm

So, will they be renaming it Spider-Man Turns On Glenn Beck?

[Barney Stinson]

Posted: 2/7/11 at 11:12pm

Wow. I was expecting bad reviews, but these are brutal.

Except Elysa Gardner's of course. She is without a doubt the dumbest and most clueless reviewer in the country. And this review just confirms that fact. I've never agreed with her.

I don't know if the reviews will kill it, but it has certainly lost momentum at the box office, making the same amount this week as last (with one more performance), and dropping to 84% capacity. At those levels, it would have to run about 20 years to recoup (assuming no cost inflation).

Not that they need the help, but Wicked's producers are hoping Spidey gets swatted soon. First week in years that they've been below 90% in capacity. I know, I know, they'll be fine.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 2/7/11 at 11:20pm

I just think that it’s a shame that they couldn’t have made something that worked with the money that was spent.

I just wonder how many projects that could have gone on to have long, fruitful lives, that will never see the light of day because of what was blown here.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/7/11 at 11:23pm

Brantley was pretty mean- he referred to the show as "a national joke" and indicated it was among the worst musicals he's ever seen.

And I agree with him 100%.

I wonder what Queen Julie is doing tonight.

[Barney Stinson]

Posted: 2/7/11 at 11:24pm

Variety is out. Don't believe I saw it linked.
Variety

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/7/11 at 11:29pm

so does Spiderman officially beat out Carrie as the worse reviewed musical ever??

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/7/11 at 11:41pm

I'm sure the show will release a statement tomorrow condemning these reviews. I'm looking forward to reading that as well.

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 12:12am

Barney I'm sure WICKED is hardly shaking in their boots. It's Feb so percentage is bound to be lower and with the crap weather last week, their prolly just on the rebound.

Has Glenn Beck reviewed it yet? I know he made comments previously but has he like written a formal review?

It will be a sad day when there is a marquee on Broadway that has to use praises by the idiot that is Glenn Beck.

[Barney Stinson]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 12:50am

As I said, Wicked hardly needs the help, but the fact is that Spiderman could have been a show that actually took some of the tourist market away from it. But it probably isn't.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 2:46am

But the numbers from both shows from weeks gone by show that it doesnt' have to BE one or the other.

[brettystar]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 2:54am

It is kind of frustrating that by reviewing it before it has been frozen it gives Taymor and crew the opportunity to say it was not finished.... which they will surely do.
I previously disagreed with them reviewing before it was frozen but given they have changed the opening date so many times I think it is fair game that the critics reviewed it now.
It hardly sounds like there have been many changes at any rate.
So disappointing that they could not have made something of this show - parts of it look spectacular in the footage.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 7:20am

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/can_spidey_fly_Ffjh0U3pNKdtA7ntLtYyaN

Why did the Post let Elisabeth Vincentelli and not Michael Riedel review? So disappointing! Two and a half stars is WAY too generous!

[Katurian2]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 7:46am

btws, An AP article quoted the show's spokesman on the reviews:


"This pile-on by the critics is a huge disappointment," said Rick Miramontez, spokesman for the show. 'Changes are still being made and any review that runs before the show is frozen is totally invalid'"

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 7:47am

Brantley's review is surprisingly even-keeled. He was much more snide about WOMEN ON THE VERGE...

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 8:40am

I'm sure most reviewers will go back once its "frozen" and if there are any major changes they will write a new review. Otherwise they may just write a note saying that a new review is not warranted. The producers must be having a fit by now. Julie Taymor is probably as self delusional as alaways.

[tazber]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 8:48am

The USA Today was a positive review. And the Post has some pull quotes in there.

[After Eight]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 8:50am

From Finding Namo:

"I'm just free associating with JoeKv's point that never before has a group of newspapers gotten together and decided to publish their reviews on the same day when a show hasn't officially opened before."



Two plays from long ago did not set any opening night, "Paris Is Out!" and "Sarava," and the critics came on their own and reviewed them both. I don't remember if the reviews appeared on the same day. The only difference with "Spider-Man" this time is that this show did designate an actual opening night, which was disregarded by these critics.


As for the show, what a missed opportunity. It could have been a fun evening if they had adhered to the plot of the movie, and had a good score.

But the most frustrating thing about this is, the reactions on this board after the first preview stated clearly what the show's major problem was: the awful Geek chorus and Arachne. Post after post said get rid of them. But in their obstinacy and hubris, the creators of the show just dug in their heels and ended up with this mess of show. It's a real shame.

[sundaymorning6am]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 8:58am

I'm going to call it now: Their ticket sales will be through the roof this week.

The producers of Spider-man are having cocktails right now to thank Brantley and the rest of them for national (and front page) coverage.

Let's be honest with ourselves here, these guys are just trying to keep their jobs so they have to drum up controversy and story where they can. Let them scrape by.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 9:12am

"If they had only done it at the National with Michael Grandage directing with David Suchet and Sinead Cusack it would have been sooooo much better, hmmmn??"