Ring of Fire Reviews

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/11/06 at 3:57pm

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/reviews/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002157157


Yeah, they hated it.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/11/06 at 3:59pm

I noticed that had popped up a few hours ago. I know this show is going to get panned pretty badly, but they could at least wait until opening night to put the negative reviews online.

Updated On: 3/11/06 at 03:59 PM

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 3/11/06 at 4:02pm

It's dated March 13th, maybe it's been run this early in error?

[logan0215]

Posted: 3/11/06 at 6:30pm

I saw the show

It wasn't terrible, but it did feel like a 2-hour ho-down as my one friend put it.

I've gone to Myrtle Beach, SC my whole life and think this would be perfect at the Grand 'Ole Opry. NYC theater-goers are not going to go for this, but family entertainment at theme resorts would.

The main problem is the missing plot, and no amount of re-writing will fix that. It's sort of like Movin' Out, but trying to have a plot rather than using historical references (like Vietnam and such) it uses the "storylines" of these 6 reprsentative Jonny/June-Carter characters, although not relating to Cash's life at all.

The cast is VERY talented, and Cass Morgan moved me to tears in her scene which basically points to June's passing before Jonny's.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 3/11/06 at 6:35pm

A friend asked me to compare this show to other "stinkers".

I think I've decided this show is worse than Dance of the Vampires, Good Vibrations, Dracula, and Urban Cowboy. Who is producing this show?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 3/11/06 at 6:39pm

The show was produced by Mistake.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 3/11/06 at 6:42pm

I just wouldn't want to go see a show w/ no plot and just a bunch of singing. It just woudln't appeal to me. Even if it was for free, I don't think I'd wanna go.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/11/06 at 6:44pm

Well, Ain't Misbehavin and several other revues are really fun and entertaining. This one just isn't.

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 3/11/06 at 7:12pm

The thing is Smokey Joe's Cafe, Ain't Misbehaving,Fosse, Jerome Robbins' Broadway and the most successful revues on Broadway were very straightforward about what they were: revues. They obviously had great staging, great actors, and good selection of songs, but I think that the fact the directors and actors of these shows knew what the show was helped a lot for the audience to feel good with the concept, and enjoy. I believe the problem with Ring of Fire is that Richard Maltby had no clue what he wanted this show to be: a concept musical? a "country" opera? a revue? a review a la Putting It Together? a jukebox musical? At no point does Richard Maltby cares to define what this show is, consequently the actors have no idea how to make this work for an audience, and the audience is too lost in the concept to even start caring about the "story?stories?actions?" being told.
If we were in the 70s or even the 80s, this show probably would close during previews or would close right after opening night; with the expenses involved in putting a show on Broadway I expect a month-long run at least. We'll see.

[stevenycguy]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 12:56am

I didn't think it was that bad - the singing was good and pleasant enough, and it held my attention. Much better than trash like Brooklyn where garbage bags can pass as someone's costume, and where the lyrics were over-amplified like crazy.

[nickatnight]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 1:10am

should NOT be posted this early. shame on them.

[Luckydave14]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 1:12am

I gave up free tickets to this show.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 2:32am

steven: You didn't think it was that bad? Without taking offense, how old are you, and how many times have you been to the theatre? I can't imagine ANYONE saying that the show just isn't bad. It's unfathomable.

Dave: Wise choice.

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 9:53am

Funny, because I semi-enjoyed this and found Ain't Misbehavin to be the most boring, painful theater experience I've ever had. Would I therefore say it was a BAD show, though...no.
Ring of Fire set a mission for itself and it succeeds in that mission. You may not appreciate it, it may not be your cup of tea, you may run fleeing from the theater, but I don't see how that gives you the right to call it the worst show ever. There are plenty of shows that have distinct missions and crap all over them with stupid lines, lyrics and/or crappy music, direction, etc. But Munk, you've yet to actually take your criticism to such a level. So why the outright hatred?

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 10:08am

Well, I too don't quite understand why they review is up this early - but, it's hard not to say, "Told ya so!" These are gonna be bad folks - really, really bad. I never want to put anyone out of a job, but nobody concerning this show should have been hired in the first place.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 11:09am

For some reason, they loved it in Buffalo! I am glad the producers decided to skip the San Francisco tryout. We've had enough bad tryouts here lately: "The Mambo Kings", "Lennon", "Lestat". All dreadful. One more would have been too much for us to handle.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 11:12am

Only the one review is up??

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 11:32am

Wonder when the closing notice will go up ?

[Hank]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 12:17pm

Sounds a lot like the last revue I saw at The Barrymore: "The Look of Love". Probably the same fait awaits.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 12:32pm

This show is 100 times worse than "Look of Love".

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 12:39pm

Bizare -- Why isn't anything up?

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 1:26pm

It opens tonight...just figured that out. Yeah, I'm an idiot.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 1:29pm

Dollypop,

That was priceless.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 1:30pm

Eh, I took Dave's free tickets. I stayed the whole time. Was a tad bit enjoyable considering the tickets were free. Some nice talent.

Probably wouldn't have felt that way at all if I had to pay...

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 1:40pm

As I left Rabbit Hole yesterday, I saw a group of people walking out of the Barrymore disgusted. I don't even think the show was entirely over yet they were storming out and walking down the block complaining about how painful it was.