THE HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL Opening Night Critics’ Reviews- Page 5

[bigbelterbaby]

Posted: 4/29/24 at 4:44pm

I am rooting for this show too and hope they have enough reserves to keep trying to build word of mouth. Not that I think it will be playing in 2025 but most shows won’t, I just don’t think it deserves an early close. at least a decent run through the summer into fall. A performance on the Tonys and waiting til competition like A Beautiful Noise close will help it a lot, but that’s in June. 

[Mr.Liir]

Posted: 4/29/24 at 5:11pm

I think a lot depends on tomorrow. I don't think they can run through the summer.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 4/29/24 at 9:28pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "yyys said: "will May 5th be the last show?!"

Heard 5/12 for this andLempicka."

 I just heard about the Lempicka closing but not this!

[Mr.Liir]

Posted: 4/30/24 at 9:30am

I wonder if they'll try to keep Lempika open through Tony voting for Eden. 

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/30/24 at 9:58am

That reminds me of Paradise Square two years ago with Joaquina.

[quizking101]

Posted: 4/30/24 at 10:03am

Mr.Liir said: "I wonder if they'll try to keep Lempika open through Tony votingfor Eden."

Three nominations is definitely a lifeline for a few more weeks but, sadly, I think this just nailed HoR&R’s coffin shut and that’s a damn shame

[Mr.Liir]

Posted: 4/30/24 at 10:25am

Agreed. HORR is a better show than it gets credit for.

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 4/30/24 at 10:34am

"Agreed. HORR is a better show than it gets credit for."

I just hope it lasts for another couple of weeks so I can see it. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/30/24 at 1:39pm

Ross Lekites is on for Bobby tonight. 

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/30/24 at 2:19pm

I hope Corey Cott is ok and am thrilled for Ross! I thought he was amazing in city center’s encores production of Brigadoon.

[yyys]

Posted: 4/30/24 at 2:22pm

I'm not a fan of jukebox musicals so I've not seen this or Hell's Kitchen - if you have to choose, which one would it be?

I read people from reddit were bored at HK so I am leaning towards this...

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/30/24 at 2:23pm

Even with a win for Eden, which I don't think she'll get, there is no upside to throwing more money down the drain.  The only win that makes a big difference at the box office is for Best Musical. 

[RumTumJM]

Posted: 4/30/24 at 5:39pm

I just saw that Huey is going to be on the Drew Barrymore Show, tomorrow, to promote the musical.

Would they really pull the plug in the next few days, if Huey's still doing press on shows like Drew's? (Not that I'm arguing with everyone's gross data & reasoning for an imminenet closing notice.)

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 4/30/24 at 5:42pm

RumTumJM said: "I just saw that Huey is going to be on the Drew Barrymore Show, tomorrow, to promote the musical.

Would they really pull the plug in the next few days, if Huey's still doing press on shows like Drew's? (Not that I'm arguing with everyone's gross data& reasoning for an imminenet closing notice.)"

If it's going to close this weekend, we'll hear tonight. I don't think that'll happen. I think it'll go at least through 5/12.

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 4/30/24 at 5:49pm

yyys said: "I'm not a fan of jukebox musicals so I've not seen this or Hell's Kitchen - if you have to choose, which one would it be?

I read people from reddit were bored at HK so I am leaning towards this..."

I’ve seen both. My vote goes to The Heart of Rock and Roll 

Updated On: 4/30/24 at 05:49 PM

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 4/30/24 at 8:32pm

Assuming they have the cash for it (which it sounds like they might?) I'm guessing they'd try to at least run through summer to capitalize on nostalgia and just a feel good musical, though marketing would probably be their biggest hurdle.

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 4/30/24 at 10:44pm

chrishuyen said: "Assuming they have the cash for it (which it sounds like they might?) I'm guessing they'd try to at least run through summer to capitalize on nostalgia and just a feel good musical, though marketing would probably be their biggest hurdle."

They need a better marketing team if they plan to do that. Are the Shucked people available? :)

[always bway]

Posted: 5/1/24 at 6:03am

This show is better and smarter than it gets credit for. Funny AND sincere is hard to do and it's incredibly successful. You laugh and then you cry.... And then laugh again. The dancing is the best of this season. The performances of the entire cast are spot on. Go see it! You will thank me. 

[Wick3]

Posted: 5/1/24 at 7:03am

Mr. Wormwood said: "chrishuyen said: "Assuming they have the cash for it (which it sounds like they might?) I'm guessing they'd try to at least run through summer to capitalize on nostalgia and just a feel good musical, though marketing would probably be their biggest hurdle."

They need a better marketing team if they plan to do that. Are the Shucked people available? :)"

Or the Beautiful Noise marketing folks? The show didn't receive Tony nominations either but last season wasn't as competitive as this season and Beautiful Noise mostly got mixed-negative reviews. However, Neil has his fanbase and it eventually found its audience to make the show last 1.5 years. 

[Wick3]

Posted: 5/2/24 at 11:42am

I know quizking101 has a separate post on this but just wanted to share the same info here in this thread about the non-premium tix sale until May 12th: $49 balc/mezz and $69 orch seats. No code needed. Go to Telecharge. Note this is only for non-premium seats for performances up to Sunday May 12th.



 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 5/4/24 at 11:40pm

sorry, a mess. i had hoped that it would be silly but at least funny, engaging. nope. whats so surprising is that this is an original story, yes? meaning, its not a retelling of a cheesy old movie plot that doesnt make a ton of sense, its a new original story that doesnt make a ton of sense. god the story/writing here makes Hells Kitchen seem like Shakespeare.

what hells kitchen has going for it are those banger songs that glide us along- even the lesser known numbers just pop. huey lewis (for me anyway) is no alicia keys, so the score blended together into one long peppy soda commercial from the 80s. im not familiar with his music but i expected that once the show got going, id recognize a few, but alas. 

the cast is top notch, though. really through and through talented without exception. Corey Cott and Mckenzie Kurtz belong in a better written show with better songs to sing- but they both pull off a lot with what they have. She especially has killer comic timing and killer vocals- thats a combo i hope gets noticed by the right casting folks. Tamika Lawrence is the only one given funny lines, and she makes a meal out of each one. 

orchestra was mostly full. was seated just behind jordan donica, grey henson, andrew durand, jerry mitchell... 

 

[RumTumJM]

Posted: 5/5/24 at 2:03am

PipingHotPiccolo said: "sorry, a mess. i had hoped that it would be silly but at least funny, engaging. nope. whats so surprising is that this is an original story, yes? meaning, its not a retelling of a cheesy old movie plot that doesnt make a ton of sense, its a new original story that doesnt make a ton of sense. god the story/writing here makes Hells Kitchen seem like Shakespeare.

what hells kitchen has going for it are those banger songs that glide us along- even the lesser known numbers just pop. huey lewis (for me anyway) is no alicia keys, so the score blended together into one long peppy soda commercial from the 80s. im not familiar with his music but i expected that once the show got going, id recognize a few, but alas.

the cast is top notch, though. really through and through talented without exception. Corey Cott and Mckenzie Kurtz belong in a better written show with better songs to sing- but they both pull off a lot with what they have. She especially has killer comic timing and killer vocals- thats a combo i hope gets noticed by the right casting folks. Tamika Lawrence is the only one given funny lines, and she makes a meal out of each one.

orchestra was mostly full. was seated just behind jordan donica, grey henson, andrew durand, jerry mitchell...

"

I too was at the show tonight! - I think I saw you & didn't know it, since I noticed Andrew Durand sitting there. (I was front row mezzanine, just off of center.)

However, I must say that I have a completely different opinon of the show. - I LOVED IT!

Yes, I am a big fan of Huey Lewis music. Yes, I love these type of feel good, escapist shows. (And, I've seen many shows throughout my 36 years on this Earth.) - But, all and all, I got a big kick out of Bobby's classicly, convoluted story (reminded me of Bye Bye Birdie in some ways) & hearing those songs performed in a Broadway theater (even if some were altered a little). I will be telling everyone I know that they should see the show and have themselves a fun, 80s throwback night that gives them a chance to mentally cut loose and enoy themselves. 

While I know that the show is struggling a lot, add me to the list of people who really wish that this show can continue on a bit longer. As far as I'm concerned, there's always a place on Broadway for a show like this, along with the more dramatic/heavy shows that spread deeper messages. 

[nealb1]

Posted: 5/5/24 at 10:07am

Saw the show yesterday afternoon and loved it.  Just so much fun!  Sure, it's silly and predictable.  And, what's wrong with that?  Really, really enjoyed it!  

 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 5/5/24 at 12:11pm

i actually didnt think it was all that predictable- the "reveal" at the end was a neat trick, and a show highlight. i just found it dull and unfunny. but im glad others are enjoying it, and i hope this cast stays employed for as long as possible, wishing them all the best.

[KarenValentine'sheadband]

Posted: 5/5/24 at 6:49pm

I was totally wrong. This show was fantastic! I usually loath junkbox musicals but this is the best one I've seen since Beautiful. Buy your tickets now as some have said this might not be around for long.