ROOMS Reviews — Page 2

So far, it seems as if the reviews that "count" are relatively strong (The Times has yet to be posted.)

I'm quite happy to see Kritzer getting the rave reviews she deserves.

Hopefully, her reception here will help make her the breakout star she deserves to be.

---

Updated On: 3/18/09 at 11:29 PM

Great Review in NY Daily News.
***1/2

"Can a quirky female lyricist and a reclusive rocker who can wrap his guitar around a melody make music - and find love - in the big city? “Rooms: a rock romance” transcends the obvious answer and shopworn opposites-attract plot seen everywhere from Broadway (“They’re Playing Our Song”) to big-screen (“Words and Music”) with bangup, big-hearted tunes and a small-scale construction that lets a two-actor cast strut their stuff. Strut they do."




NY DAILY NEWS REVIEW OF ROOMS A ROCK ROMANCE

Updated On: 3/17/09 at 05:36 AM

RentBoy86, The Times review should be up later today.

---

Strange, I thought Kritzer was great, but the weaker of the two (mostly because of her wavering grasp of the accent). Glad to see these good reviews!

Broadway World gives Rooms a rave.


"It's getting late in the game, but I believe we have a new contender for the best new musical of the season."


Broadway World Rave for Rooms

lulz.

#1Elphie, a Times critic (not Brantley or Isherwood) did attend the show.

His review should be posted at some point this evening.

---

Updated On: 3/17/09 at 07:32 PM

Rooms
Reviewed on WOR Radio 710 Wednesday March 17th, 2009
David Richardson Theater Critic for WOR Radio 710

Once in a while one gets lucky when taking in an off Broadway show and this reviewer got very lucky Monday night when he took in the opening of a new musical called Rooms a rock romance which opened that night at New World Stages over on West 50th street.

Brought to us by the same folks who gave us Bright Lights Big City and tick, tick BOOM! both of which have cult attractions, this story of romance and pop music in the 70s is just plain terrific.

A young Glasgow girl is anxious to find someone to add music to some lyrics she has written for a Bat Mitzvah and she runs into a young man who just happens to have those qualifications. The two then proceed with a romantic affair plus becoming the hit of the musical pop rock world while traveling and performing in London and New York. A few problems emerge along the way including our heroes penchant for the bottle but things do work out in the end.

Now that story may sound a tad familiar but it’s not the story you care about…. it’s the cast. There are exactly two people up there on the small stage backed up by a 5 piece band and a stage set consisting of a moving door and those two people are two of the most talented performers I have ever seen. Doug Kreeger plays the lad with a drinking problem but with music on his mind and he’s super and a perfect match for Leslie Kritzer, who was the Tony nominated bride in last seasons A Catered Affair, who is fast becoming a star, and in my opinion possesses the best pipes on the New York Stage today. No kidding she is just fantastic here and judging by the totally wild audience reactions after each show she’s becoming a cult figure herself.

"Rooms a rock romance" certainly is for the younger generation but no matter your age you will love this tiny show with a big heart and its two marvelous performers.

The New York Times is Very Positive:

"The story told in “Rooms: A Rock Romance” is 100 percent surprise-free; you always know exactly where it’s going. That means the stars of this modest musical at New World Stages need to be very good for the thing to stand a chance of holding your attention. Fortunately, they are.

The young lovebirds are played by Doug Kreeger and Leslie Kritzer, and they mesh perfectly. He is a rumpled Glasgow musician named Ian with a mild case of agoraphobia and a much worse drinking problem. She is a bubbly singer named Monica whose mantra is “Whatever it takes”: she’ll sing any style and cross the ocean in pursuit of fame.

Paul Scott Goodman (“Bright Lights, Big City”) wrote the music and lyrics and collaborated with his wife, Miriam Gordon, on the book. (The work was seen in 2005 at the New York Musical Theater Festival with a different cast.) They haven’t much on their minds beyond what is implied in the title: this is a slight, sweet love story that begins in Glasgow in 1977, when Ian and Monica meet, and ends in New York in 1980..."

http://theater2.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/theater/reviews/19room.html?ref=theater

---

Updated On: 3/18/09 at 04:53 PM

Congrats to cast and crew on "Rooms" on generally favorable reviews including reviews from all the majors!

I'd find it hard to classify the NYTimes review as very positive, negative, or anything, it's probably the most boring review I've read. He barely talked about the actors the way other reviews did, neither did he mention much about the production, the score, direction, anything really. What a bland "review."
Good for both Kritzer and Kreeger, so when are we getting a FUNNY GIRL revival starring Kritzer?

---

The final "round-up" stands at-

Very Positive:
NY Times, Associated Press, Broadway World, TalkEntertainment.com.

Positive:
Variety, Back Stage, NY Daily News, NY Post

Mixed:
Talkin' Broadway, Time Out NY

Negative:
Theatermania, CurtainUp

when i was at the show, I heard two separate conversations where people were saying that that had already been back once. I am hoping it develops a big group of "returners". I definitely think it has a chance for some Lortel nominations. How did it do at the Helen Hayes awards?