THE MUSIC MAN Reviews

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 1/28/22 at 8:23pm

Jumping ahead a few weeks, but with this news I thought it’d be an interesting topic of discussion:

https://deadline.com/2022/01/the-music-man-broadway-hugh-jackman-critics-opening-night-1234922144/

In a break with Broadway custom of recent decades, producers of The Music Man starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster are not inviting critics to pre-opening night previews.

Instead, critics are being invited to the revival’s Feb. 10 opening night at the Winter Garden Theatre, with reviews embargoed until thereafter. (Deadline received the invitation by email today.)

Typically, critics are invited to at least several pre-opening night previews, with reviews embargoed until opening night. Although the trope of aisle-sitters rushing to file reviews after the opening night curtain falls conjures images of All About Eve-era Broadway, the practice is thought to have generally continued at least into the 1970s, with then-New York Times critic Richard Eder occasionally, perhaps apocryphally, credited with having encouraged the switch to critics’ previews to allow reviewers more time to consider and craft their reactions.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 1/28/22 at 8:33pm

What an absolutely snotty response from the press rep that I am sure won't backfire

 

Asked by Deadline for the reasoning behind the decision, Music Manspokesperson Rick Miramontez said in a statement, “We feel just terrible for offering dozens of theater critics premium seats to a Broadway show. I am sure they will simply loathe having to tell their grandchildren about the time they were forced to witness Broadway history in the making. Most of all, it pains me personally to imagine the burden of having to turn around a review on such a tight time table — has such a feat ever been attempted before? Well, let it be seen as the greatest vote of confidence by this production in our beloved press corps that we think they just might be up to the challenge!”

 

[Tag]

Posted: 1/28/22 at 8:48pm

So Miramontez by way of Rudin, right?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/28/22 at 8:55pm

I'm sure that decision won't have any positive or negative impact on the reviews, which should be mixed-to-positive.

[Tag]

Posted: 1/28/22 at 8:59pm

I knew this sparked a memory

Is this not the proof we need to show that Rudin is still behind Music Man?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/28/22 at 9:09pm

Tag said: "I knew this sparked a memory Is this not the proof we need to show that Rudin is still behind Music Man?"

If he had any real day to day involvement with MM, it would have spilled already. It's simply too big a production for that to be hidden. (Same situation if he was attending previews –– he would be seen)

But this could still mean that his friends Barry Diller and Rick Miramontez call him up for ideas, or ideas that were already put in place by Rudin are still being implemented.

I don't really have a problem with an occasional production inviting critics on opening night instead of previews. Critics frequently do that for Encores and one-night events. If it was a new show, this would be a different situation, but everyone knows MM.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/28/22 at 9:12pm

Tag said: "I knew this sparked a memory

Is this not the proof we need to show that Rudin is still behind Music Man?"

Precisely. 

Also, it is worth noting that reviews for The Front Page came out the day after it officially opened; this being said, I expect the same with The Music Man.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 1/28/22 at 9:17pm

If you think Rick and Barry aren't talking to Scott everyday I have a boat in the desert to sell you

my problem isn't not letting critics come, but the absolutely snotty over the top response to a reasonible question from Rick "see history being made" in the what SIXTH? revival of this show starring a white dude...what is history making here?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/28/22 at 9:22pm

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "If you think Rick and Barry aren't talking to Scott everyday I have a boat in the desert to sell you

my problem isn't not letting critics come, but the absolutely snotty over the top response to a reasonible question from Rick "see history being made" in the what SIXTH? revival of this show starring a white dude...what is history making here?"

Third Broadway revival. Dick Van Dyke, Craig Bierko, and now Hugh Jackman. 

Your frustration is rightly justified though. 

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 1/28/22 at 9:25pm

i retract part of it, this is really only the third revival? it seems like this show is done to death

 

regardless what a blowhard over the top statement considering the majority of feedback here is that its a pretty adverage by the numbers production 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/28/22 at 9:50pm

If I was involved with The Music Man and saw the “spokesperson” for the production release that kind of classless statement to the press I would not be amused.

[jo]

Posted: 1/28/22 at 9:52pm

Tag said: "I knew this sparked a memory

Is this not the proof we need to show that Rudin is still behind Music Man?"

 



It was the same David Rooney that  Rudin gave the exclusive when he announced the  revival of The Music Man --

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hugh-jackman-lead-broadway-revival-music-man-1194075/

Maybe ex-chief of Fox & Paramount Barry Diller , now lead producer, had a big say on how to handle Opening Night publicity?  Some  major pre-opening  coverage usually seen for major film releases ( such as the Vanity Fair & the USA Today/ElysaGardner  )   has started the ball rolling. Embargoes usually work for largely unseen film releases but in this case where it has been over a month in previews, social media has already been flooded with reactions to the show.  It will be word of mouth that will likely help the show along?

The Vanity Fair article quoted that the advance for the show is USD fifty million. Maybe the current wave of cancellations ( primarily due to covid) have eroded a few millions from that advance, but many will come back in rescheduled dates towards the friendlier months?

I think there is a bit of Hollywood style promotion going here ( undeniably, it was the film adaptation of The Music Man which has ensured its legacy)?

Btw, in Hugh Jackman's latest social media entry, he is showing a "gag" scene for The Music Man. It was the Wells Fargo wagon coming along -- on top where the packages are shown - among them is an action figure of Wolverine showing claws on one hand and a trombone on the other.  Hollywood & Broadway touch!

https://twitter.com/RealHughJackman/status/1487219978109652992?s=20&t=pboy_9lh_lcX7Ffe109eng

I will buy that action figure if that is part of the show merchandise 

 

Updated On: 1/28/22 at 09:52 PM

[James885]

Posted: 1/28/22 at 11:52pm

This absolutely stinks to high heaven of Scott Rudin. Putting aside the snobby and unnecessary press statement, I've gotta wonder why they're doing it. What's the reasoning behind ditching the critics' previews? Unless maybe they need a few extra days to fix things and they didn't want to postpone opening night.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 1/29/22 at 12:05am

i mean they had what a 9 week preview period scheduled? which for a revival is kind of absurd....

[itsjustmejonhotmailcom]

Posted: 1/29/22 at 2:12am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Tag said: "I knew this sparked a memoryIs this not the proof we need to show that Rudin is still behind Music Man?"

If he had any real day to day involvement with MM, it would have spilled already. It's simply too big a production for that to be hidden. (Same situation if he was attending previews –– he would be seen)

But this could still mean that his friends Barry Diller and Rick Miramontez call him up for ideas, or ideas that were already put in place by Rudin are still being implemented.

I don't really have a problem with an occasional production inviting critics on opening night instead of previews. Critics frequently do that for Encores and one-night events. If it was a new show, this would be a different situation, but everyone knows MM."

The production office is in his close friend (and producer) Barry Diller's office. Scott and Barry have been seen dining together. There is no way he isn't being consulted on things.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 1/29/22 at 9:14am

I join others baffled by the snide insinuation here. Why would this production have a chip on its shoulder? Who (what publicist) thought this the message to send midway through a challenging season like no other when the industry and community have rallied? Why separate this show - as historic (please) - and make a statement that suggests it is opening under special hardship? It’s hardly the message of solidarity coming from the two stars. Who's the target audience for the snark? 

[austinyourface]

Posted: 1/29/22 at 10:31am

Undoubtedly Rudin’s influence, mixed with greed- they don’t want to give up those $700 tickets so they’ve rolled all the critic comps into the one night that’s entirely comped anyway- mixed with hubris, as the show is basically critic-proof thanks to Jackman. 
 

But considering Miramontez works with plenty of shows that are NOT critic-proof, it’s certainly unwise to strike such a dickish tone with a group that he will very soon need. 

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 2/9/22 at 8:07am

Wanted to bump this in anticipation of tomorrow’s opening. Do you think we will get some reviews tomorrow even with all the aforementioned press invites during previews situation?

[SueFB]

Posted: 2/9/22 at 4:09pm

jacobsnchz14 said: "Wanted to bump this in anticipation of tomorrow’s opening. Do you think we will get some reviews tomorrow even with all the aforementioned press invites during previews situation?"

I believe tomorrow's show show starts at 6 pm and therefore should conclude around 8:30. They should have plenty of time. I'm amused at the idea that some press deadline for the morning papers is the biggest concern. The reviews are all online. The main goal for many is to get out there first. By having to wait and see the show on Opening Night, it only means they can't have it all ready to go and hit ENTER on their submission as soon as the curtain falls. 

 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/10/22 at 5:41pm

Happy opening night, all! I hope the reviews are positive and they get some better merch!

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 2/10/22 at 6:11pm

Adam Feldman’s review will be posted this evening per his Facebook page 

[Scarlet Leigh]

Posted: 2/10/22 at 6:22pm

I anticipate a number reviewers/publications went ahead and bought their own tickets to see this ahead of time to have reviews prepared to drop tonight and that will be very much reflected in their attitude towards the production. I can't wait.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 2/10/22 at 6:34pm

SueFB said: "jacobsnchz14 said: "Wanted to bump this in anticipation of tomorrow’s opening. Do you think we will get some reviews tomorrow even with all the aforementioned press invites during previews situation?"

I believe tomorrow's show show starts at 6 pm and therefore should conclude around 8:30. They should have plenty of time. I'm amused at the idea that some press deadline for the morning papers is the biggest concern. The reviews are all online. The main goal for many is to get out there first. By having to wait and see the show on Opening Night, it only means they can't have it all ready to go and hit ENTER on their submission as soon as the curtain falls.”

Publications purchased preview tickets for their critics so they saw the show this past week.  They may tweak and edit a little bit but the reviews are ready.  No one is running anywhere after a performance and stressing themselves to get a full review completed on a deadline.  Just because the production didn’t “invite” critics doesn’t mean critics didn’t get tickets to a preview performance.  

 

[Tag]

Posted: 2/10/22 at 7:00pm

They should have banded together for a media blackout of this show, after that ridiculous statement last week.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 2/10/22 at 7:14pm

“I am sure they will simply loathe having to tell their grandchildren about the time they were forced to witness Broadway history in the making”

 Please forgive my ignorance…what exactly is this ‘history in the making’?