THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS Reviews- Page 3

[Ariella]

Posted: 11/1/10 at 4:05pm

Clearly Isherwood is uncomfortable with being made to feel uncomfortable. There's a sort of lingering squeamishness that indicates he would rather have a straight, serious play that never flirts with its subject matter, or a neutered spectacle like Memphis (as Roscoe pointed out). Disappointing. I maintain the show is absolutely brilliant.

[A Director]

Posted: 11/1/10 at 7:03pm

I'm not defending his review, but it appears many here have short term memory problems. Here's Charles Isherwood's review of Memphis.

http://theater.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/theater/reviews/20memphis.html

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/1/10 at 7:29pm

I am shocked that the reviewers aren't kneeling down and totally servicing this show! It certainly seems like many don't grasp the concept.

For me, the music, and the minstrel show concept, was to constantly remind us of how utterly ridiculous these young men (and so many like them) were treated: socially, politically, etc. It never wants us to forget the absurdity of mankind, of AMericans, in our history.

While a straight play might be 'interesting' it would be void of much of the emotion and the judgement.

[Boq101]

Posted: 11/1/10 at 10:03pm

http://www.broadway.com/shows/scottsboro-boys/video/153315/word-of-mouth-review-the-scottsboro-boys/

well I thought this was one of the better done Word of Mouth reviews in a while! Very positive feedback from all three nobodies.

[Kad]

Posted: 11/1/10 at 11:00pm

"A friend who likes SCOTTSBORO BOYS said that evidently folks are more comfortable having Broadway confront racism via things like MEMPHIS."

What, do you mean that racism didn't end in the sixties and all the bad racists learned the error of their ways during a big ensemble finale?

[dave1606]

Posted: 11/1/10 at 11:59pm

I have to agree on the word of mouth! All three are actually well spoken, and I am not just saying that because I love this show. they actually take the time to elaborate on why they liked it.
Please please, help word of mouth with this one!

And while I am not defending his review of Scottsboro Boys (which supremely disappointed me) I have to say that when he called Memphis the Michael Bolton of musicals in his review of Memphis I actually laughed out loud while reading.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 11/2/10 at 9:41am

Thanks for the reminder about the negative reviews MEMPHIS got. It only tends to emphasize the weirdness of the lukewarm response that SCOTTSBORO BOYS has gotten.

Of course, if the show had originated at the Menier Chocolate Factory the critical response would have been very different indeed.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 11/2/10 at 10:04am

Since we talked about BBAJ comparisons to this show earlier in the thread, I personally think it's quite surprising that BBAJ got a wholly more positive response than Scottsboro Boys did. I love both the shows, but BBAJ is less polished and even though it came from the Public, with a lesser pedigree than a Stroman/Kander/Ebb show.

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 11/2/10 at 5:13pm

I think that BBAJ got better reviews because it had a message that people can really get behind. It did what theatre does best, it skewers conservative politics and shows us how little has changed in that world (a bit of a generalization, but I bet you get where I am coming from). On the other hand you have the Scottsboro Boys which presented the facts of the story in a very in your face way that makes people uncomfortable i.e. the Minstrel show. And the thing that I just don’t understand is did the reviewers just not get it? It was presented in this fashion because it is an accurate representation of what theatre was in the 30’s in America. They even say that three of them went into Vaudville after the whole thing. When I read the reviews I couldn't help think of the critical reception the NYT had to Nine to Five where Brantley basically blasted the show for being fluff and fun, and when presented with a piece that actually makes you think the reviewers run for the hills. Typical right? I don’t know if that makes any sense, but the short of it is, I am very disappointed in the reception of this show that easily ranks as brilliant Cabaret or Chicago.

[Kad]

Posted: 11/2/10 at 10:51pm

Actually BBAJ and Scottsboro got a fairly similar critical response.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 11/2/10 at 10:55pm

^ BBAJ got raves almost exclusively. Scottsboro Boys got a bunch of mixed reviews.

[Kad]

Posted: 11/2/10 at 11:08pm

No... it didn't.
BBAJ Reviews (courtesy of Stage Grade)

[Smaxie]

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

Not an exact science, but with 22 reviews, Stage Grade rates the Scottsboro with 10 A's, 5 B's, 3 C's and one F for an average of B+. With 26 reviews, They rate Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson with 11 A's, 6 B's, 3 C's, 2 D's and 4 F's for an average review of B.

Scotsboro: http://www.stagegrade.com/productions/495#
Bloody Bloody: http://www.stagegrade.com/productions/614#http://www.stagegrade.com/productions/614#

Updated On: 11/3/10 at 11:11 PM

[bjh2114]

Posted: 11/2/10 at 11:18pm

I guess I was looking at the major publications. If you look at the individual grades, the A-range grades for Bloody Bloody came from the NY Times, Time Out NY, Variety, NY Daily News, Newsday, USA Today, and the Post.

The only ones of those that gave Scottsboro A-range grades were the Post and Variety. NY Daily News was a B for Scottsboro and the Times, Time Out NY, Newsday, and USA Today were all in the C range.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 12:32pm

The problem is you won't succeed on Broadway if you haven't any Jews!

Can't wait to see it.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 1:18pm

With the addition of positive reviews from Time, NY1, The New York Observer, among others, The Scottsboro Boys is now up to an A- on StageGrade.

[DryMartini]

Posted: 11/4/10 at 10:14am

I'm also completely perplexed why Brantley didn't re-review the show. Was there a scheduling problem? Don't they always try to have the same person who reviewed the show off-Broadway review the show when it comes to Broadway? Maybe this is a new trend.

Regardless, I was also surprised how Isherwood's review took a turn at the end. (And that he blasted BBAJ a little.) I think the show, especially the concept and staging, is amazing. I hope it does well, it's got so much going for it. I just wonder if it will find an audience on Broadway. Times are tough out there for a smart and audience-challenging musical these days.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 12:41am

For the record, 'Memphis' got its share of rave reviews, too: from Associated Press, the New York Post, Newsday, the Hollywood Reporter, John Simon, etc. ... And when the New York Drama Critics Circle voted, 'Memphis' was the Broadway musical that got the most points in weighted voting. ... Plus, it won the Best Musical prize from two groups of journalists: the Outer Critics Circle and the Drama Desk (which preceded the Tonys).

Some folks might've laughed when Isherwood called 'Memphis' the 'Michael Bolton of musicals,' but tons of people like Michael Bolton. A year later, 'Memphis' has a Tony for Best Musical and just celebrated its 1st year on Broadway; a couple weeks ago, it even cracked $1 million in its weekly grosses. I'd say 'Memphis' is getting the last laugh.
Updated On: 11/5/10 at 12:41 AM

[WestwardHoHo]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 1:29am

Oh, Wayman Wong, puh-reeze.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 3:51am

GIVE it a rest. You like Memphis. Good for you. Many don't, doesn't make them wrong.

My kids liked it, I didn't mind it --- but you'll never get me to see it again.

The Scottsboro Boys (the topic at hand) is a show that I hope I get to see again, and depending on the length of its run, again and again. I'm sure I will continue to discover layers and layers and continue to add to my own understanding and entertainment.

Updated On: 11/5/10 at 03:51 AM