"STEEL MAGNOLIAS" Review Thread!

[Princeton78]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 9:54am

Ok..it opens tonight. I am seeing it in about 2 weeks and have rarely been more excited about a Broadway production.

Let's use this thread to post reviews.

While we wait until tonight...any thoughts on how it will do with the critics?

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 10:40am

I honestly have to say I have no clue. After the Spamalot reviews, which I was certain would be across the board raves, I have decided to give up on predicting critical reaction.

That said, I saw an early preview of Steel Magnolias and I really enjoyed it.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 11:27am

It's on my list to see. And I usually don't quote others who have seen it unless I know them to be fairly theater saavy. With that in mind a theater owner friend said he enjoyed it overall, but there was not enough script or time built into each of the characters to get you really involved with who they were. He said all the ladies were very good, but didn't feel any magic or standout solo performances.

It will be intersting to see how others feel about it.

[shira467]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 3:35pm

I saw it last week, in previews (duh). I thought it was very good, certainly well done. There were several line flubs, and I think Ms. Gayheart was serviceable, nothing stellar.

I loved the cast overall though - I saw Annelle's undertsudy, Ginifer King, who did a great job!

[Princeton78]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 5:44pm

*Bump*
Curtain should be going up in about an hour.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 5:46pm

I'm sending out good vibes to this great cast. :)

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 6:02pm

This was a wonderful production. In my review I gave it ***1/2 out of four.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 6:33pm

Talkin Broadway is up!

I'd say mixed at best. Seems it's the theatrical equivalent of a "chick flick."
http://www.talkinbroadway.com/world/SteelMagnolias.html

Updated On: 4/4/05 at 06:33 PM

[Princeton78]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 6:39pm

Here's Broadway.com....

This one comes close to a rave only citing Mason being too 'made-up' for Ouiser.

He says "Steel Magnilias is in full bloom on Broadway."
Broadway.com

Updated On: 4/4/05 at 06:39 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 7:01pm

What will they do about the pope line? When one of the women says something like "either your husband blew up that tree or they just elected a new pope!". Do you think theyll change it?

[Princeton78]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 7:04pm

I don't think they should have to.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 7:05pm

They won't change it. That practice has been around for ages. It's in no way disrespectful to anyone.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 8:32pm

Any new reviews up yet?

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 8:40pm

Are there any other pics??????? Also, do you guys think that this will an easier show to get into????????

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 9:17pm

"As M'Lynn, Ebersole is magnificent. She can be droll one minute and heartbreaking the next. A 2001 Tony winner for 42nd Street, she deserves another supporting-actress trophy this year."

Updated On: 4/4/05 at 09:17 PM

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 9:27pm

I thought that review was kinda harsh on the movie and Sally Field.....but alot of people are on her part......I, however, loved it???????

It seems that Frances Sternhagen is getting the best reviews all-around.....

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 9:29pm

Is anybody else having trouble with the Talkin' Broadway link?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 9:40pm

try this:


Although I would say this review is more negative than just mixed...


Talkin' Broadway Review

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 9:41pm

Thanks, Munk. That link worked.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 9:48pm

Nothing yet that I can find from theatremania, the Post or the NYT.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 9:51pm

I suspect that Brantley will hate it, or write a very dismissive notice, sort of like ALL SHOOK UP.

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 10:50pm

Yep, I'll go with hate it...here you go, pretty much EXACTLY what I suspected and what it deserves. YAY for the Lily Rabe love though, she was most certainly the standout!

http://theater2.nytimes.com/2005/04/05/theater/reviews/05magn.html?

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 11:02pm

And then comes Kissel who looks like a freak in that pic they have of him online, not to mention his undying love to this shoty revival...

http://www.nydailynews.com/04-05-2005/entertainment/col/story/296490p-253868c.html

[Matt_G]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 11:04pm

It's obvious from Brantley's review that he never cared for the material to begin with. They really should have had someone else cover this show if that's the case.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 11:10pm

Well then you could make the argument that if the person reviewing it obviously likes the material, they'd be biased the other way. You can't send different reviewers to different shows based on what they thing of the materical...