THE WAVERLY GALLERY Reviews

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 2:30am

Caught the final preview last night. Thought it was seriously special. Post reviews here as they come in.

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 8:17am

This should be getting all the raves there can possibly be!

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 8:22am

Expecting raves as well.

[bekk99]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 9:05am

The RAVErly Gallery, amiright?

[VotePeron]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 9:10am

Happy Broadway debut, Lila Neugebauer!! Here's to many more. 

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 9:13am

So excited to see this!!! This will be the first show I see after I officially move to NYC :)

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 9:29am

FYI, there are some seats available on Telecharge in the last 2 rows of the rear mezzanine for today's opening night performance, $39 with the discount code.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 7:53pm

DC Theatre Scene is positive: "Elaine May thrills in her return to Broadway"

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 8:07pm

Deadline gives it a rave.
https://deadline.com/2018/10/the-waverly-gallery-broadway-kenneth-lonergan-lucas-hedges-michael-cera-elaine-may-joan-allen-masterpiece-review-1202488413/

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 8:09pm

am New York gives it 2 1/2 stars: "May’s performance is impressively low-key and casual, so much so that it feels completely naturalistic and not like a performance at all."

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 8:22pm

“Impressively low-key”? Seriously? AMNY needs to go away.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 8:23pm

The Hollywood Reporter is positive: "Intensely personal and poignant, even if its subject matter has become familiar."

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 8:34pm

I think The Wrap is positive, but who the hell knows? His reviews are so odd.

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 8:34pm

I hate that a couple of people are saying that the play is "dated." I think this play will always be relevant and relatable, and while we have seen more plays since to deal with the topic of dementia and alzheimers, I'm not sure I can think of one that deals with it so honestly, personally, and beautifully as this play. Also, I would argue that it's the best acted play on Broadway right now.

Also, that amNY review is bs.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 8:46pm

Chicago Tribune is very positive, rave-ish.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 8:51pm

Variety is positive.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 8:55pm

NJ.com is mixed: "Much like with the production itself, the actors are endearing and intermittently affecting, but never quite click as an ensemble."

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 9:43pm

CT2NYC said: "am New Yorkgives it 2 1/2 stars: "May’s performance is impressively low-key and casual, so much so that it feels completely naturalistic and not like a performance at all.""

Where is the review? He literally talked about her past credits, then summarized the show poorly then called her performance lowkey and causal and then it just ends. 

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 9:46pm

The NJ.com review is a bit strange as well. He basically says that May seems inexperienced and says that Allen is brittle. Just a strange review. I wouldn't call it mixed. I'd say that's a somewhat negative review.

[haterobics]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 9:48pm

NYT Critic's Pick: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/25/theater/review-waverly-gallery-elaine-may-kenneth-lonergan.html

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 10/25/18 at 10:00pm

Brantley is spot on.

[Synecdoche2]

Posted: 10/26/18 at 12:01am

Lila deserves so so so much success

[bear88]

Posted: 10/26/18 at 12:33am

Aside from a few minor qualms about some directorial choices, Peter Marks of the Washington Post is a rave:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/elaine-may-reveals-new-depth-of-acting-agility-in-broadways-waverly-gallery/2018/10/25/0a921344-d7b3-11e8-aeb7-ddcad4a0a54e_story.html?utm_term=.891806b1dde0

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/26/18 at 1:24am

I think all the reviews are spot in talking about the lackluster directing. I didn't think Lila handle the coming together of the different elements - lighting, sound, set - with those long transitions. It killed the momentum of the show. She's great in getting great performances out of the actors, but not in keeping the flow going. 

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 10/26/18 at 7:14am

I'm not sure that it's entirely her job to make sure those elements like lighting and set come together. I will say that her acting direction is sublime and, to me, that's really what's most important. The design, however, is deeply flawed, and pretty ugly, but you only worry about that for like 10 seconds and then you focus in on the phenomenal performances.