STARCATCHER (B'way) Reviews- Page 2

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 4/15/12 at 10:59pm

AMNY is positive!!

3.5 stars

http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/theater-review-peter-and-the-starcatcher-3-5-stars-1.3662745

"Alex Timbers and Roger Rees' spirited production of Rick Elice's play is that rare kind of theatrical event that can appeal equally to kids — who will be captivated by the sentimental, action-packed plot — and adults — who will admire its imaginative theatricality."

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/15/12 at 11:23pm

Celia Keenan- Bolger is delightful as Molly/Wendy

When in the show does she EVER play Wendy??? Did he see the play?

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/15/12 at 11:30pm

The Hollywood Reporter is mixed:

"In the earlier workshop and Off Broadway presentations of Peter and the Starcatcher, Christian Borle originated the role of Black Stache, the nefarious pirate who would go on to lose a hand and acquire greater infamy as Captain Hook. At that time he was an established New York stage actor whose national profile had not yet been boosted by a lead role on NBC’s Smash. While the television series commitment initially indicated he would be unavailable to reprise his part in the play’s Broadway transfer, the producers must be relieved that the scheduling worked out, because Borle’s deliciously hammy, scenery-chewing turn is one of few elements to survive the move undamaged."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/peter-starcatcher-theater-review-smash-312269

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/15/12 at 11:34pm

Vulture is positive:

"Peter and the Starcatcher is a tiny show, but spectacle, wit, and joy spill out of it like treasure from a magic pocket. A cast of twelve, a couple of trunks, and a versatile length of rope yield more storytelling than most oversized spectaculars can manage. There’s a naval battle, an island full of savages, and a mermaid chorus, all packed onto a stage that feels no bigger than a conch shell. It’s a measure of the production’s low-tech delights that when Molly, the cast’s sole female, ingests a dose of “starstuff,” crosses her legs and levitates, Jeannie-style, it looks like a miraculous effect, even though we can clearly see the plank, the pivot, and the hand on the seesaw’s other end."

http://www.vulture.com/2012/04/theater-review-peter-and-the-starcatcher.html

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/15/12 at 11:36pm

NJ Newsroom is mixed:

"The energetic physicality of the entire company informs their colorful characterizations. A greasepaint mustache festooning his sneering lip, a gleaming Christian Borle (on hiatus from TV’s “Smash”) wickedly smiles and drolly rolls his eyes as a swaggering pirate king. Borle’s hilarious business when his character accidentally cuts off his hand is likely to hook him a Tony nomination. Adam Chanler-Berat transforms nicely from a woebegone urchin into Peter Pan. Arnie Burton invests Molly’s doughty nurse with coquettish airs.

An ever-girlish Celia Keenan-Bolger remains utterly winning as the smart starcatcher Molly, who easily holds her fearless own amid this otherwise all-male crew. Watching little pinafore-clad Molly cope so capably with all of the silly men swarming around her may well inspire every young girl who sees her do it."

http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/new-york-theater/review-peter-and-the-starcatcher-offers-magical-doings

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/15/12 at 11:38pm

NY Daily News is positive:

"The crackerjack ensemble packs three grand prizes. Adam Chanler-Berat is brooding and endearing as the legendary lost boy. Christian Borle, now of “Smash,” proves sublimely slapsticky as a prissy, malaprop-dropping pirate.

Best of the bunch: Celia Keenan-Bolger, whose high-spirited and big-hearted turn as the can-do aristocrat Molly is irresistible.

At its heart, “Peter and the Starcatcher” is a valentine for the power of storytelling to transform. Tales told within it ease lost boys’ woes and literally save their skin.

Peter Pan will never grow up. But his origin story has matured nicely."

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/review-play-a-famous-lost-boy-peter-starcatcher-finds-a-home-broadway-article-1.1061418

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/15/12 at 11:53pm

NY Post is mixed to positive (3 out of 4 stars):

"There’s a lot of frantic business about two warring ships, switched trunks, an island inhabited by a tribe called the Mollusks — frankly, it’s hard to follow. The show feels as if it’s frantically running inside a hamster wheel, and the only breather comes at the end, when Peter and Molly exchange a sad goodbye.

They may be the heroes of the title, but the true treasure of “Peter and the Starcatcher” is its villain.

Borle chomps what little scenery there is with contagious delight. Swishing and jumping about, winking at himself and the audience, his vaudevillian pirate is a shameless masterpiece. Is it so wrong to pine for the bad guy?"

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/the_pirate_steals_peter_wETOLd1GQehbbtd5rXjPDP?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Theater

[TheatreKid3]

Posted: 4/16/12 at 12:51am

Even though this work isn't given the Disney logo, it is, inherently, a Disney production (Disney commissioned the work, adapted from a Disney book, and Disney is a leading producer). So would this make STARCATCHER the first "Disney" production to ever receive a rave from Brantley?



Updated On: 4/16/12 at 12:51 AM

[After Eight]

Posted: 4/16/12 at 5:53am

"But “Peter and the Starcatcher” just can’t stop crowing about how clever it is. I wanted to smack it."

That's how I felt.

Christian Borle works like a fiend to force blood from a stone, but no matter how talented he is, it just can't be done.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/16/12 at 7:25am

It's funny... that's how I felt about Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson when everyone else loved it. But I have never felt that way about Peter.

[D2]

Posted: 4/16/12 at 7:43am

"...For instance, that tall blond guy who’s been blending into in the background during the first several scenes..."

In what world is Christian Borle tall? And blond? Really, Ben, wish fulfillment much?

Nonetheless, I'm glad the show is getting some well-deserved kudos.

[Jonwo]

Posted: 4/16/12 at 9:15am

Hopefully the good reviews will ensure PATSC has a good run and encourages Disney to do develop more plays.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 4/16/12 at 9:51am

It's funny... that's how I felt about Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson when everyone else loved it. But I have never felt that way about Peter.

Ditto.

I'm really happy to see these reviews.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/16/12 at 10:54am

Looks like Borle might snatch that Tony this year.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/16/12 at 11:03am

It seems likely.

Has any other supporting actor in a play garnered as much praise?

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/16/12 at 11:06am

Andrew Garfield received fairly positive notices, but nowhere near unanimous praise.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 4/16/12 at 12:11pm

I found the first act to be frankly exhausting -- lots of running and jumping and overcute stuff with rope and model boats (see? we're making a doorway with a piece of ROPE! And now that same piece of rope is THE OCEAN!) and a lot of SHOUTING. The second act is a lot better, and I did enjoy the business with the crocodile, but the crocodile didn't really seem to go anywhere, it just gets forgotten about for some reason.

I got sick of the contemporary inside jokes, like the one about Ayn Rand, and when they actually resorted to quoting "you like me, you really like me" I felt like some kind of line had really been crossed.

I did enjoy Borle's performance a good deal, he's a splendid comedian no question about that. I just wish he, and the show, had lightened up a little bit. Or a lot. There's a real frantic air to the show, a mad need to impress and dazzle that kept me at more of a distance than I think was desirable.

[cornerstone7]

Posted: 4/16/12 at 1:15pm

Curtain Critic has it scoring
79 Overall
90 Cast
80 Book
83 Tech
http://www.curtaincritic.com/Shows/PETER_AND_THE_STARCATCHER_REVIEWS-138.html

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/16/12 at 1:24pm

Who cares about all these other people? What does Roma Torrey think????????

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 4/16/12 at 1:26pm

Wow, by the end of the year Borle might just be half of OGOT!! (Tony and Emmy!! ) YES!!!!

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/16/12 at 2:38pm

Well I wouldn't count on THAT happening.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 4/16/12 at 3:05pm

BJH2114, what do you mean?

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/16/12 at 3:06pm

I wouldn't count on him winning an Emmy for Smash.

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 4/16/12 at 3:10pm

Sorry, but in what world is he getting an Emmy? He's definitely one of the more enjoyable things about SMASH but that isn't saying much. I highly doubt he'll even be nominated. There are far too many better TV shows with actors delivering far better performances. That may be a result of the material Borle has been given, but that's life.

A Tony is also far from guaranteed.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 4/16/12 at 3:44pm

I think you are underestimating the academy. Who else is doing better work on that show? And last week's amazing episode where he got to "strut his stuff" in a towel was just the sort of performance the academy LOVES! I don't know about a Tony, but I put money on an Emmy! !!