THE BUTCHER BOY Musical at Irish Rep

FYI, $22 tickets are now available for previews 7/21 - 7/31. 

The Butcher Boy - Irish Repertory Theatre

Has anyone seen this yet? I have a ticket for tomorrow, and I'm trying to decide if I want to brave the heat and make the trip in. 

Updated On: 7/23/22 at 08:24 PM

I was at first preview and was equally mixed on it. Nick Barasch is excellent and manages to make a deeply unlikable character likable.  However, he reads much older than the characters age (supposedly 13) and to me it changes how we the audience view some of the relationships and actions in the show.  The source material plays with the line between a child's imagination and clinical insanity, but when played by a 20-something it really just comes off as clinical insanity (despite Barasch infusing the character with an appropriate child-like energy).  So to me the story loses something there.

The music is fine, works good in context but is nothing super memorable.  I agree with the poster above who described this show as ambitious, it is pretty long and sprawling.  There are some fun imagination/dream sequences (kind of reminded me of Big Fish in that respect) and honestly I could've used more of them.  The plot meanders a bit and they could stand to cut about a half hour from the show.  There is potential there, and I'd say its worth seeing if you have an open slot and can find a cheap enough ticket.  But I wouldn't go out of your way to see this, you won't be missing much if you skip it (in its current form at least).

The runtime is approx. 2.5 hours. 

Agree with the mixed reports here. My biggest qualm is that it currently doesn't lean far enough in any direction and wants to be a little bit of everything. I think it would be more successful if it committed 100% to being a campy, Little Shop style show, or fully embraced the darkness of the source material.

The cast is very talented, anchored by Nick Barasch's stellar performance. Agree that he comes across as too old once you realize his age, though. Some actors' Irish accents are more successful than others.

I did enjoy the music overall and thought Barasch's 11 o'clock number was particularly beautiful. Most songs could cut a verse (or more) and still get the point across.

I do think there's a good show in here somewhere and I'd love to see it get refined more over time!

Echoing the comments already made: dark, ambitious and in need of some cuts. I found it musically and lyrically beautiful and occasionally moving and funny. There is very little actual butchering--less than 'Sweeney Todd'--but what there is is highly impactful. 

ETA--I find that I have the score from 'Thrill Me' running through my head as  think about 'Butcher Boy', and I think that show is a better analogue than 'Sweeney' or 'Little Shop'. Lyrical, dark and unapologetic.  I left 'Thrill Me' looking forward to seeing what  Stephen Dolginoff would do next and I'm similarly eager to see where Asher Muldoon goes with his career. 

Updated On: 7/27/22 at 10:07 PM

Saw this today and as a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had seen the film many years ago (it’s on YouTube so I’ll watch it again this weekend) but didn’t remember much of it. I think that worked well for me since I got to experience the story with fresh eyes. I love the darkness of the story and if zi could change anything with it, I’d take it even further and go even darker. Not spoiling the ending but while I saw people (mainly older) absolutely disgusted and shaking their heads, watching Barasch, I just started to cry. He’s proving himself to be one hell of an actor and it’s great to see him becoming more and more successful. 

^ Pm’d you