Reviews for replacements question

[Steve2]

Posted: 6/9/07 at 11:09am

In reading through the "Fantasia Review" thread, it first started out with individual "reviews" by BWW posters but then mid-May there were NY Times, Newsday, Variety, etc reviews. Could someone tell me how that works? When a replacement is newsworthy, do the producers invite the press back again? (I assume they would only do this if they are expecting a favorable response?) Are there other reasons why a show would be rereviewed? Does this happen often?

Thank you.


Reviews For FANTASIA in COLOR PURPLE Updated On: 6/9/07 at 11:09 AM

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 6/9/07 at 11:26am

Critics usually will come in if a huge celebrity joins the cast, mainly for adde publicity. For example, Brooke Shields in Wonderful Town received a party much like an opening night gala.

However, if Megan Hilty returns to Wicked for the Nth time, no reviews will come out, obviously.

[siny]

Posted: 6/9/07 at 11:28am

I am still waiting for any review for Anthony Fedorov in The Fantasticks

[vinnylin]

Posted: 6/9/07 at 11:52am

I believe that critics do not usually come back to re-review a show unless invited back by the producers. Producers don't usually re-invite the press unless they are looking for the press associated with the new reviews, so it will usually only happen if there is a major cast replacement.

The only exception I can think of is if there is some special feature -- for example, I recall the NYT doing a "re-review" of some of the big hits (Phantom, Les Miz, Miss Saigon) many years back as part of a feature on long-running shows.

[siny]

Posted: 6/9/07 at 1:03pm

You mean critics have to actually be invited by the producers ? I thought it's up to the critics which shows they review.

[Weez]

Posted: 6/9/07 at 1:07pm

I think the critics have to be invited firstly so that they review the show on the day that the producers want reviewed (and don't come willy-nilly on a day when half the cast is on holiday, or worse, during previews) and secondly because they're more likely to get free drinks by going on press night than any old night.

[Virgo]

Posted: 6/9/07 at 2:27pm

"I believe that critics do not usually come back to re-review a show unless invited back by the producers."

This is really great news for replacements. That means that as a replacement there really is no pressure to be "great", just good because there will be no critic reviews to slam you which takes a lot of pressure off of MOST replacements.

I believe that Fantasia is the only person from idol who's ever been formerly reviewed by Broadway critics. I'd love to see how the reviews for the others would have been, guess I'll just have to wonder until they are reviewed.

[siny]

Posted: 6/9/07 at 2:53pm

Do Broadway critics normally review off-Broadway shows ?

I think it's a shame that Fantasia is the only person from Idol who's been formally reviewed. People tend to bash ex-idols and in absence of formal reviews, the perception sticks. I know that Anthony Fedorov took a lot of beating on the boards since he's had no acting experience and was seen as stunt casting. But he is doing a great job in the Fantasticks and yet without any reviews nobody knows it. Even for an unknown actor, if he is doing a great job as a replacement, it would be nice to be noticed.