THE OUTSIDERS Opening Night Critics’ Reviews — Page 3

It feels like everyone keeps on hoping that every new show is THE show. The big undeniable great musical that can take home the Tony. But all of the spring shows so far feel like solid B's, with folks saying "it was good" instead of "I LOVED that, you must go see it!"

Are we truly headed towards a jukebox musical win for the first time since Jersey Boys? (Not counting Moulin Rouge since they were forced to vote for a jukebox that year). Would they really do that with so many original scores in the mix? I can't see it...yet I have trouble seeing most of these options winning. If Here Lies Love had opened in the spring, we might be having a different conversation.

There's enough in that NYT review that will move some tickets (and plenty that they can advertise). How long that can be sustained is another matter, but if it's really resonating with young people it will be paramount to try to do what DEH did and appeal to high school and college-aged kids.

Markie27 said: "ACL2006 said: "pair-o-dice said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "This is great news… forIllinoise."

I wouldn't count out Suffs. In an election year. With what's going on."

Suffs just isn't that good. Sorry."

There are still five new musicals opening this month before the Tony’s - Suffs, Lempicka, Hell’s Kitchen, The Great Gatsby and Illinoise.


If these previous off Broadway orout of town musicals get basically more or less the same reviews as before, that would makeIllinoise the only musical that has gotten rave reviews. (Not counting the dance review)

Though I’m hoping Illinoise would win the Tony for best musical I’m still not convinced it will get support from the whole voting body. I wish I am wrong.

"

You are wrong, Markie. Notwithstanding the preexisting score, Illinoise is exactly the kind of show the Tonys have championed for over a decade, and it has the best reviews of any new musical this season, far and away.

Dance-driven shows have also played well on tour - as we’re seeing now with Riverdance (a staple for years) and Message in a Bottle. Contact and Movin’ Out scored big at the Tonys and successfully toured too.

And last year’s opening number at the Tonys proved that when most effective, moves speak much better than words!

Updated On: 4/12/24 at 11:28 PM

I REALLY hope you’re right.

HenryTDobson said: "MayAudraBlessYou2 said: "It feels like everyone keeps on hoping that every new show is THE show. The big undeniable great musical that can take home the Tony. But all of the spring shows so far feel like solid B's, with folks saying "it was good" instead of "I LOVED that, you must go see it!"

Are we truly headed towards a jukebox musical win for the first time since Jersey Boys? (Not counting Moulin Rouge since they were forced to vote for a jukebox that year). Would they really do that with so many original scores in the mix? I can't see it...yet I have trouble seeing most of these options winning. If Here Lies Love had opened in the spring, we might be having a different conversation."

It's truly anyone's guess what's to happen this year. Are you referencing Hell's Kitchen as the jukebox musical that could win or Illinoise (is that considered a jukebox musical.....)? I know this would never happen, but I would love if they gave it to Here Lies Love as an FU statement to every show that's opened since."

I'm referencing both Hell's Kitchen and Illinoise. Perhaps a more apt description than jukebox is "musical that uses pre-existing songs." The Tonys have just been so against giving those musicals the top category. Having an original score has been the deciding factor. It's a major reason why An American in Paris and Beautiful couldnt win. It's the reason a relatively weak show like Memphis could beat out Fela and American Idiot. Hell's Kitchen actually has the advance sales (we will see about reviews) and Illinoise looks poised to be the best reviewed of the bunch. But I just cant really bring myself to predict that Tony voters will ultimately give either show Best Musical. Even if the original works are all sitting around a "B" grade (see the Memphis example above).

I think Here Lies Love definitely has nominations for 3/4 design categories, score, and director. Potentially Supporting Actor. If it nabs all of those, Best Musical nomination should be within reach. I'd love it if voters looked at the record breaking number of new musicals this season, and said "to hell with the spring!" and just gave it to HLL.

Relating back to the topic of the thread: I think Outsiders is in for a nomination. But can it win? Not sure. Yet, this is what I think of basically EVERY new musical debuting right now. *shrugs*

Markie27 said: "ACL2006 said: "pair-o-dice said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "This is great news… forIllinoise."

I wouldn't count out Suffs. In an election year. With what's going on."

Suffs just isn't that good. Sorry."

There are still five new musicals opening this month before the Tony’s - Suffs, Lempicka, Hell’s Kitchen, The Great Gatsby and Illinoise.


If these previous off Broadway orout of town musicals get basically more or less the same reviews as before, that would makeIllinoise the only musical that has gotten rave reviews. (Not counting the dance review)

Though I’m hoping Illinoise would win the Tony for best musical I’m still not convinced it will get support from the whole voting body. I wish I am wrong.

"

Poor Heart of Rock n Roll always gets forgotten

Mr. Wormwood said: "Poor Heart of Rock n Roll always gets forgotten"

Oops! Sorry! Wouldn’t it be crazy if that show ended up being the best reviewed new musical of the season?

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "There's enough in that NYT review that will movesometickets (and plenty that they can advertise). How long that can be sustained is another matter, but if it's really resonating with young people it will be paramount to try to do what DEH did and appeal to high school and college-aged kids."

When I watched The Outsiders, the show resonated with young kids but also with a good number of adults sitting around me. I was hoping for more positive reviews but I think it's up to word-of-mouth now.

A friend saw this show Wed matinee and he told me it was full of teenagers/college kids versus the usual retired folks. I feel it tends to be the older folks who rely on NYT reviews whereas the younger ones tend to see shows recommended to them by their friends. Only time will tell if the show finds an audience and I hope it will!

kdogg36 said: "Mr. Wormwood said: "Poor Heart of Rock n Roll always gets forgotten"

The same could be said forDays of Wine and Roses.I don’t expect a closed show to get much postseason attention, but it’s the best-reviewed new musical so far and has the prestige factor."

It's unbeliavable to me that a show so ACCLAIMED like ''Roses'' is not a sure thing for a nomination. I mean, the level of those reviews was something amazing, and the nominators are supposed to see every show, right?

It's the best reviewed musical of the season, with two lead veterans, an intimate off-broadway transfer of a very important subject.

I believe both ''Days'' and ''Love'' can get in (would it be the first time since 2013) or at least one of them.

As of now I'm going with Hell's Kitchen, The Outsiders, Illinoise, Suffs and Days of Wine and Roses.

Updated On: 4/12/24 at 11:24 AM

I wouldn't be surprised by Roses getting major nominations, particularly for score and best actor and actress. But reviews and its cult following aside, it also really didn't resonate with audiences both in and outside the industry- I heard a lot of "well, Kelli and Brian are fantastic, but..." and very little "you must go see this." It may get a best musical nod simply because everything else is falling even flatter.

I found Days of Wine/Roses dreadfully dull, despite the beautiful performances by Kelli and BDJ but I do expect it to remain in the mix given its critical reception. However I am surprised that people seem to think the reception to all these new musicals have been or will be so muted and negative. Id be shocked if Suffs and Hells Kitchen dont get nominated; W4E got very strong reviews; and even though the Outsiders was a mixed bag critically, none of the reviews panned the show in a way that makes me think Tony voters would snub it.

again, who knows, but i just don't quite get the vibe of "everything sucks this year" that Im feeling from these boards. no runaway frontrunner doesnt mean overall disappointment...