THE STING at Paper Mill - Reports - Page 2

[Melissa25]

Posted: 4/8/18 at 9:12am

What a mess.  Caught yesterday’s matinee. I am simply still just shaking my head.

[broadwayfan0610]

Posted: 4/8/18 at 3:23pm

So out of the The Honeymooners and The Sting which one seems more likely to succeed on Broadway (if Honeymooners is still advancing toward Broadway)? I was rooting for The Honeymooners. I'm a sucker for old fashioned musical comedies.

[Melissa25]

Posted: 4/8/18 at 5:38pm

I enjoyed and would absolutely root for the Honeymooners.

[Cfried]

Posted: 4/8/18 at 6:37pm

While I enjoyed The Honeymooners, I feel The Sting is far more commercially viable.

Yes, plenty of work is needed for The Sting, but I think it has great potential. It's opening tonight, so I'm curious to see how the critics take it (though reviews will come out sporadically because of Mean Girls' opening). I was hearing rumors of a November opening in New York...however, I think it would be behoove the creatives to sit down and review their material, rather than rush it to Broadway a la Summer. As for The Honeymooners, I am curious to see if Jeffrey Finn is committed to a Broadway transfer. I saw it registered on a touring site, so perhaps it'll go that route instead. At least it got a kind review from The Times. 

[jbm2]

Posted: 4/9/18 at 1:28am

How far is he Papermill from Manhattan? Considering catching us when I’m in town, if it’s not too far?

[Cfried]

Posted: 4/9/18 at 6:47am

Early reviews are in:

The Wrap is mixed to positive (but an altogether very warm review).

https://www.thewrap.com/sting-theater-review-harry-connick-jr-aims-go-ragtime-riches/

BroadwayWorld is a rave. 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-Review-THE-STING-at-Paper-Mill-Playhouse-An-Exhilarating-World-Premiere-Musical-20180409

[perfectliar]

Posted: 4/9/18 at 8:56am

jbm2 said: "How far is he Papermill from Manhattan? Considering catching us when I’m in town, if it’s not too far?"

About 45 minutes by public transportation. But call the theatre first... I looked at tickets a few days ago and there seemed to be less than a handful left for the entire run.

[Cfried]

Posted: 4/9/18 at 2:42pm

Mixed to positive. 

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/theater-arts/sting-review-harry-connick-jr-leads-musical-paper-mill-article-1.3923654

Updated On: 4/9/18 at 02:42 PM

[Cfried]

Posted: 4/9/18 at 2:47pm

Rave.

https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/getarticle.php?titlelink=review-the-sting-at-paper-mill-playhouse

Updated On: 4/9/18 at 02:47 PM

[Cfried]

Posted: 4/9/18 at 2:51pm

Very positive, raving about Harry.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/2018/04/09/harry-connick-jr-sting-paper-mill-playhouse/491585002/

Rave. 

http://t2conline.com/paper-mill-playhouses-broadway-bound-production-of-the-sting-shows-promise/

Updated On: 4/9/18 at 02:51 PM

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 4/9/18 at 3:16pm

NYTimes seems to be mixed to positive? I can't make out a clear idea.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/09/theater/the-sting-review-harry-connick-jr-paper-mill-playhouse.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Farts&action=click&contentCollection=arts&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront

[Cfried]

Posted: 4/9/18 at 3:51pm

Yeah, I’d say Times is mixed, pointing out the positives. She loves cast, choreography, and book, but says the score is “likeable — never revelatory.”

Not that bad a review...the notices have certainly been different from the feedback on this board. The subjectivity of theatre is truly interesting.

Updated On: 4/9/18 at 03:51 PM

[Cfried]

Posted: 4/9/18 at 5:58pm

Matt Windman is a negative -- compares it to his disappointing experience with Mean Girls.

https://www.amny.com/entertainment/the-sting-review-harry-connick-jr-1.17945481

Hollywood Reporter is mixed, with a bit of a negative edge. He highlights the positives, but notes that "adding singing and dancing to a familiar property does not a great musical make."

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/the-sting-theater-1100977

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/9/18 at 6:03pm

The New York Times review is really strange and equivocating. It seems like the critic wants to say that the show is worthwhile even though it's not very good. Obviously there are shows where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. 

[wolfwriter]

Posted: 4/9/18 at 6:21pm

It does seem like the Times was trying a little too hard to be kind.

I don't know how I saw a different show in a different theater, but if this moves to Broadway, I've got a dollar that says it becomes Honeymoon In Vegas, Part Two.

[bk]

Posted: 4/9/18 at 8:32pm

The Times is not a money reviewer - it is someone of exactly zero consequence.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 4/9/18 at 9:52pm

I expected a better book from Bob Martin, but it made me wonder if The Drowsy Chaperone is a one-hit wonder? I wonder.

Lol. The man has all sorts of writing credentials most prominently The wonderful series Slings and Arrows  co creator and writer.

Musicals- well remember Drowsey started of as a gift for his wedding and  evolved into what it became along w Don McKellar's contribution.

Maybe they need Don's Fine Italian Hand?

[the.hard.part]

Posted: 4/16/18 at 1:09pm

I have one ticket for Sunday 4/22 at 7pm that I can't use if anyone is interested
$40

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/16/18 at 2:17pm

The Sting w/HCJ would likely do better, but I doubt either this or The Honeymooners would well on Broadway. Doubt either would last a year.

[mc1227]

Posted: 4/16/18 at 9:51pm

If A Bronx Tale could make it to Broadway, the Honeymooners and The Sting should be shoo-ins for following suit.  I thought A Bronx Tale was mediocre at best.  Honeymooners has heart and great performances and The Sting has Harry.  

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 11:08am

I thought The Honeymooners was one of the worst things I've ever seen put on a professional stage. It's fans will keep it going for a while, but I really can't see it running longer than a few months.