ROCKY Reviews- Page 10

[Kad]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 2:37pm

The mega hits are always the exception, if you're just going by sheer numbers of Broadway openings/closings.

But of the megahits still running, Mamma Mia, Phantom, and Wicked all received adequate, mixed-positive (B-grade) reviews- Phantom and Wicked receiving fairly negative, dismissive ones from the Times. Rocky's reception follows some of the critical patterns. (My information is coming largely from Stagegrade.com, which I find to be the best source of collected original reviews for productions).

I don't know if Rocky will become a "mega hit." I would guess probably not, simply because the odds of anything becoming a mega hit are low. But there are too many factors involved that require time to fully determine.

Updated On: 3/16/14 at 02:37 PM

[Up In One]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 2:43pm

"How many shows have been critically snubbed to become mega hits as opposed to those that closed as flops?"

Mama Mia for sure
The original Pippin got terrible reviews
Mary Poppins didn't too well here in the States with the papers
Jeckyl & Hyde ran 1,500 perfs
Did The Wiz get good reviews? It shouldn't have
Aida
Beauty & The Beast was not a critics darling
The Magic Show lasted close to 2,000 perfs

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 3:07pm

It's Jekyll & Hyde, love. And that, like all Wildhorn shows on Broadway, flopped.

I don't know if Rocky will become a "mega hit." I would guess probably not, simply because the odds of anything becoming a mega hit are low.

Just my point. There is no point in comparing Rocky to the success or failure of another show based on its reviews. The odds are not in its favor.

[dented146]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 6:26pm

Just got home from a long weekend in NYC. My wife and I caught the last preview of Rocky and the Sat. preview of Bullets. She HATES boxing. That was a tough sell for me because I wanted to see it. We are both big Woody Allen fans.

Her reaction was interesting. We both thought Bullets was pretty good, especially Yorke who, to me, made the first act go. But she loved Rocky and was not terribly enthusiastic about the final scene. The charm of the story really got to her and we both thought Andy Karl was fantastic.

My wife is never on this site. I'm the semi-fanatic in our family but SHE was the one most upset about Brantley's review when we saw it on Friday. I'm use to his nonsense but she seemed to take the review personally. She was very upset.

Just based on her reaction, I think Rocky will end up okay.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 6:36pm

"Jeckyl & Hyde ran 1,500 perfs "

Jeckyl & Hyde (sp?) flopped.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 9:25pm

"Did The Wiz get good reviews? It shouldn't have"

……………

[jkstheatrescene]

Posted: 3/18/14 at 10:47am

For what it's worth, here's my review of the show. I'd love to hear from you.

http://jkstheatrescene.blogspot.com/2014/03/review-rocky.html

Updated On: 3/18/14 at 10:47 AM

[sondheimfan2]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 10:29am

Saw the show Friday night. What can I say? This show belongs at Universal Studios in Florida.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 10:53am

Everyone's entitled to their (stupid) opinion.

[Rainbowhigh23]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 2:19pm

I saw the show again last Wednesday - interesting to see how much they cut but the show was still fun. Philly Pie was a lot of fun - they should have left that in! I had Row A Seat 2 which was a fine aisle seat which lets you see how grand the sets really are. It was scary at times! But no one got hurt both times I saw it.

It's fine where it is, it doesn't need to move to Florida.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 4:06pm

This is by far my favorite new Broadway musical of the season. (Fun Home and Heathers dont count haha). I just feel it is such an innovation in theatre, and very entertaining at the same time.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 5:00pm

"This show belongs at Universal Studios in Florida."

Saying a show belongs in a place like Florida is the worst insult I've ever heard. I mean..... DAG.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 5:31pm

To Sondheim Fan

As far as Rocky being @ a themepark, you could say the same about any Disney musical (including Aladdin) except Lion King.

Someone here mentioned Heathers. Saw it yesterday and it was beyond juvenile. The jokes and sexual hijinx were old and lame when I heard them in a schoolyard when I was a kid

The singers were trying to outdo the other by yelling their songs out. To think that Brantley liked this is mindboggling. We almost left at intermission. It was a colossal waste of time. Thank god tickets were comped as were, I believe most of those in the orchestra.

[sondheimfan2]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 8:35pm

Roxy - When I saw BEAUTY BEAST, I felt it was a glorified Disney theme park show. But, it's Disney, so I knew what I was getting into. ROCKY just oozed with crass commercialism. The audience who gave lackluster applause at each song in Act One ended cheering at scenes such as the run up the museum steps and the final fight.

Why not just dispense with the songs altogether?

At least PRISCILLA and MAMMA MIA capitalized on their movie reputation with a little dignity.

I kept thinking how could anyone put this book and score on a Broadway stage?

Sorry if my opinion is not popular with some others here. I don't post here often, but I've been a member for almost 10 years. After witnessing what was on the stage of the Winter Garden, I felt compelled to post.

[Luscious]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 9:29pm

No need to apologize, sondheimfan. You're far from alone. IMO, the show is abysmal. Pure unadulterated crap. Universal Studios and Florida are too good for it.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 9:31pm

I never thought I would hear Priscilla and dignity in the same sentence

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 10:12pm

Your opinion - nothing more & nothing less

I assume those reviewers who gave it good reviews and it some cases raves were all delusional or on drugs or both.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 10:20pm

Or just have horrible taste...

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 10:26pm

It could mean you and its detractors are the ones with horrible taste.

At first, I thought a musical Rocky was comical. I admit they proved me wrong and it is really enjoyable. If that means I have horrible taste, so be it. I confess and admit I am guilty .

[haterobics]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 10:32pm

Rocky was a fun show, but the biggest issue is the rest of the show can't live up to the final 20 minutes, which are amazing.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 10:34pm

I was merely talking about the reviewers you brought up. Relax.

[sondheimfan2]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 11:29pm

"At first, I thought a musical Rocky was comical."

If only the show's creative team went in this direction. I would have preferred a campy version off-Broadway, a la LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS.