Sondheim's Final Musical: HERE WE ARE (Off-Broadway) - Critics' Reviews — Page 3

Sutton Ross said: "especially the review stating "a sense of incompleteness diminishes its impact"."

Which can't be further from the truth for many theatergoers including me and quite a lot here. If anything, as Holdren aptly pointed out in her extremely well written review, it only advances the sense of ambivalence between the absurdity of the subjects it is showing and the inherent impulse of theater to humanize, which is leagues more intellectually satisfying than what you have on Broadway these days.

Fordham2015 said: "David Cote for the Observer:Sondheim’s Swan Song Is Goofy, Satirical, And A Joy to Hear

https://observer.com/2023/10/review-sondheims-swan-song-is-goofy-satirical-and-a-joy-to-hear/"

This review was a DELIGHT to read. One of the best written reviews I've read in years.

I normally enjoy Holdren's reviews, but I found hers at Vulture to be too long-winded and cumbersome in Sondheim history. It felt like two different assignments competing with one another in the same article, as opposed to simply reviewing this show as a standalone piece of theatre.

I'm surprised there are so many tickets still available after the New York Times Critics Pix!

I assumed this would be sold out. Maybe, it takes a few days to kick in........

BETTY22 said: "I'm surprised there are so many tickets still available after the New York Times Critics Pix!

I assumed this would be sold out. Maybe, it takes a few days to kick in........"

That is clearly the only reason the entire run isn't sold out. Totally, Betty.

Not to mention that the reader comments on the NYT review from people who've seen the show are very mixed at best, possibly more negative than not.

ljay889 said: "JasonC3 said: "I doubt being an NYT Critics Pick is much of a factor for very many people who are willing to buy a moderately pricey ticket to a Sondheim musical based on two avant garde movies that features no sung tunes in the second at a venue some have never visited or no exists."

There is about 15 minutes of singing in the start of act 2. We really need to stop perpetuating this myth that there is “no”singing in act 2, it is simply incorrect."

I also found three of the movements of the act two opening (superficial, it’s only the end of the world, and Marianne’s dream) to be some of the most compelling, ethereal songs in the show.

Critics and commentators who get that this was never intended to be a blockbuster contender are the ones whose reviews I would follow. The rest are just predictable flotsam.

BJR said: "Do people really think a ShowScore rating matters more than a Critic's Pick? The NYTimes may not have the power it was did, but the kind of theatre goers who pay full price still read the Times.

Now, unless you imply the rating means word of mouth isn't great, which may be so, but I imagine they'll get through their extension at very least."

BETTY22 expressed surprise that the entire run hadn't sold out, simply based on the NYT Critic's Pick, and I gave a couple of reasons why I didn't think that would happen. I never suggested that the Show-Score rating matters more, but a Critic's Pick in a pack of mixed reviews for a show that is already divisive in the public isn't going to suddenly fill a large-ish venue, and I do think that the size of the space is the main reason it won't play to packed houses at every performance, with the higher prices ($299-349) for the prime seats adding to the situation. Like I said, in a smaller theatre it would be a hot ticket, but I don't doubt that it will run through January 21, as scheduled.

Updated On: 10/24/23 at 09:57 AM

I think the reviews overall are more mixed-to-positive. Charles Isherwood wrote a major love letter in the Wall Street Journal, but it’s behind a paywall.
This was nothing like the “meh” reviews Road Show received in 2008.
No Sondheim show ever has received all raves in its original production, and the reaction to HWA is very fitting for a brand new Sondheim show that is challenging.

If I were to nominate best and worst lyrics in Here We Are:

Best

"We do expect a little latte later/ But we haven't got a lotta latte now"

Worst

"Something doesn't fit and I don't like it, not one bit"