The Last Ship reviews

[Keiichi2]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 12:29pm

Well, tonight, The Last Ship goes before the critics.

I know reaction has largely been mixed, but here's hoping that the show is received well, and that everyone involved with the production can have a healthy run.

Looking forward to seeing the reviews as they are posted!

[Huss417]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 1:51pm

I'll keep my eyes open for LimelightMikes' thread on this.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 1:55pm

Wonder if the reviews are not good if it will sour Sting on doing another show.

Luck to all involved.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 1:59pm

How about asking Phil Collins or Bono & the Edge about that?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 2:08pm

Sting is more into shepherding his show than Bono was with Spider-Man

Bono was in it for the money. I think Sting actually cares about Broadway.

[haterobics]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 2:11pm

"I'll keep my eyes open for LimelightMikes' thread on this."

It exists:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1077699&dt=0

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 2:27pm

"Sting is more into shepherding his show than Bono was with Spider-Man "

I agree, Sting seems to be very "hands on" with this show.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 2:28pm

So was Phil Collins with Tarzan...

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 2:33pm

I can't imagine the reviews will be scathing or anything. I imagine the reaction will be more of a "eh."

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 6:59pm

"Eh" ain't gonna fill a theater

This will be on TDF more and more as time goes on. Tourists want more bang for their buck . With sky high prices, a musical about a dying industry will not turn people on

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 7:19pm

The shipbuilding industry is not a dying industry though.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 7:25pm

"The shipbuilding industry is not a dying industry though."

In NE England it most certainly isis-or more properly is fully dead.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 7:25pm

In some parts of the world it is. It is not something that will grab people by the throat and say you must see this. Only raves will do that and this will probably get respectable reviews.

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 7:48pm

When I saw the show on Thursday night the audience was far more attentive that I expected. The critics, I believe, are tired of jukebox musicals and shows that attract adolescent girls to a half dozen performances.

The production I saw two days ago will have the respect if not the high praise of the critics and will have a short but respectable run.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 7:49pm

This is all they can hope for.

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 8:32pm

The Last Ship did not receive bad reviews when it began its run in Chicago at the end of June. There were a few mixed reviews, but as many raves. One of the Chicago major dailies, the Sun-Times, gave the show an almost embarrassing rave. The Tribune gave it a long and thoughtful review, praising much of it but instructing the producers as to what to do to make the show play in Gotham:

"...the vagueness of Gideon's overly benign exile keeps pulling you out of the story. Changes or explanations are needed, as is one for why the kid skipped his dad's funeral. And it sure would be useful to see the moment where Gideon falls in love with Meg all over again. The otherwise fabulous Tucker, who is a bit mushy and hard to read in respect of this guy, and who does yet fully key in to that longing we all have for the ill-chosen sexual affairs of our youth, can really help there....

"Gideon, I understand, cannot be a rock star. But he can really be gone. He can be really in pain. He can be likable and still flawed. He and his old flame can have chemistry....

“'The Last Ship” has a potent story, a physical look that impresses with its lean muscularity and a beautiful song-suite. To some degree, it shares its biggest problem — a protagonist we need to care about more — with another Chicago tryout, 'Kinky Boots.' That got fixed before the Broadway opening. 'The Last Ship' already is a worthy and earnest musical, but we know how Broadway loves to take those down. Just look at last season."

(can't get the link to the Tribune review to work)

If the New York critics should trash the show, you can look for a lot of the Chicago critics to use this as a reason to nod knowingly about the flaws of the New York critics and their followers. After seeing the show two days ago, I thought the audience was very interested in Gideon and his fate, partly because the show had followed the suggestions of many of the Chucago critics. The Last Ship deserves at least respect.





Updated On: 10/26/14 at 08:32 PM