Today's Wall Street Journal - Lennon Worst Musicial Ever- Page 2

[My Name in Lights]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 12:56am

Well, I can't say that I've read the Wall Street Journal's review, but if what you describe is actually in the review, it's deplorable! No matter how much a reviewer dislikes a show, to use a tragedy such as a murder; and in this case, the actual murderer of John Lennon, as part of their review of the show LENNON...is just outright disgusting; and also, very disrespectful to the memory of the deceased and his family. It is not worthy of being in print, and shame on the Journal for printing it.

Personally, I love the show. I've seen it quite a few times; and it's not just the phenomenal cast that makes it enjoyable. It is very entertaining, contains some humor as well as sadness, has some pretty terrific music, and it doesn't describe itself as traditional theatre in the first place. So if someone is open to see something new, they shouldn't be disappointed that it is not traditional. It is what it is described to be: a musical, narrative celebration of the life and music of John Lennon. Why can't it be considered another form of theatre?

Just because it isn't traditional theatre (OKLAHOMA it ain't), doesn't make it bad. If everything on Broadway were exactly the same, it wouldn't make sense to bother going to see anything new...ever. Of course, as with every other show that is performed, not everyone likes it, but a lot of us do like it. It doesn't make sense to me that people have to be so incredibly negative and bash it with such horrific statements just because it isn't their personal taste.

I agree that some critics and even some people on the message board just feel the need to be more outrageous and scathing with their comments, as if it makes them sound more clever. News Flash: it doesn't! Hopefully, if someone wants to see it, they won't be deterred by what they read here or in the reviews. Reviews are meant to be guidelines, not gospel. They are someone's personal opinon. The audience is allowed to make up their own minds; but they first have to actually see the production.

As far as the producers "letting families...$100.00 a seat;" unfortunately, those are the full going prices currently on Broadway now. As a constant theatre goer, whether I love the show or not, I always try to go on a discount, and so should those families to which you refer.

In fact, if anyone would like to make up their own minds rather than be swayed by critics, there is currently a $59.00 discount running for LENNON. It has appeared in the Sunday papers for the last few weeks; and Broadway Box also has a code for it. The newspaper discount is good on seats through September 25. The Broadway Box is good through October 2. NOTE: After Sunday, September 11, LENNON is not going to be performed on Sundays anymore, but rather on Mondays instead.

So it isn't traditional theatre. Personally, I have found some of the traditional stuff to be boring; one of the most famous long running plays was pure torture for me.

Viva la difference!

[Thenardier]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 1:08am

442namffug - after reading many of your posts I have come to the conclusion that you do not matter.

__

That's harsh, Lennon has flaws but not THAT many. It isn't the worst. It isn't the best. But it is not the worst.

[Pinguin]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 1:08am

Somehow, My Name in Lights, I highly doubt the biggest problem people have with Lennon is that it's not traditional...

and 59 dollars a ticket is still a hefty price for a family of 4. I have no problem with reviewers telling their readers to avoid shows -if I find that a reviewer's taste is in line with your own, then I want to know what they think.

[My Name in Lights]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 1:16am

That's my point exactly when I say that reviews should be guidelines, not gospel. They should give you an idea of what you may see, but they shouldn't dictate what you should or shouldn't see. That is up to the viewer.

If $59.00 is too high, there is always student rush for $26.25. I think the balcony or rear mezz seats are around $46.00.

[StarbuckQAF]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 1:36am

seriously, people throw around that "$100 ticket" price too often! Look at the stats sometime! The average ticket price sold for each show is NEVER $100! There's a reason there are varied prices of tickets, sometimes as low as $20+ for ANY person to buy!

442, have you even SEEN the show? Your detest for it is quite obvious, but I can't help but wonder if you even have grounds for your assumptions.

Either way, whether you've seen it or not, that's no excuse for your ignorant response to what is quite obviously a RUDE and disgusting misuse of a critic's right to review a show. Reviewing negatively and tearing apart with wishes of "murder" are COMEPLETELY different! I've read COUNTLESS reviews on this show, most negative, but NONE were as disgraceful and vile an attack (and rude, yes) as this one.

And while we're throwing personal insults around (that's so kind of you, by the way), stop WASTING peoples' time with your trivial and diatribe comments on what does and DOESN'T have the right to be in existence. Leave this thread if you have nothing useful to say.

And by the looks of what you've already posted, that appears to be the case.

[My Name in Lights]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 1:41am

Yay Starbuck!! You made me smile

[StarbuckQAF]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 1:44am

anytime.

smiling makes the world go 'round.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 1:46am

Ditto. You made me smile.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 9:00am

"bring out the deranged assassin?"

This woman should be fired not for her review of the show but of disgracing one of the world's greatest musical and political minds.

[Sophie D.]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 10:16am

I read the WSJ for financial information not theatre reviews.



Updated On: 8/20/05 at 10:16 AM

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 11:02am

Namo makes an excellent point. We have to think of the families.

[showbiz]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 11:27am

Well it's obvious that this amateur critic had a bone to pick with John and Yoko's political views. Why else would Teachout go to such lengths in this rambling diatribe full of personal attacks and not much else. Anyone in this day and age should be prosecuted and imprisoned for promoting the likes of Mark David Chapman.
A WSJ employee who works a high profile job in NYC should know better. I'm shocked and disgusted that anyone would encourage wackos with guns. Terry Teachout belongs in jail.
This is the e-mail address for anyone who wants to voice their displeasure with Teachout, [e-mail]


Updated On: 8/20/05 at 11:27 AM

Posted: 8/20/05 at 11:56am

Thanks for the email. I think we should all send email and log a complaint with the WSJ!

[Marguerite Chauvelin]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 10:36pm

The only form of deranged assassin that belongs on that stage is Terry as Leon Czolgosz. And if that WSJ dude doesn't shut up, Terry should go Czolgosz on him.

Posted: 8/20/05 at 10:39pm

I saw my fill of Lennon @ Bryant Park. It was good but I wouldnt pay to see the full show.

Posted: 8/20/05 at 11:26pm

I think the line about hoping for the assassin to come out is inspired. And please , let the parents think about the kids. It may take a village but I'd rather move.
Updated On: 8/20/05 at 11:26 PM

[My Name in Lights]

Posted: 8/21/05 at 2:04pm

Speaking of the children: why would parents take their children to see LENNON anyway? It's not really a children's show, and most children wouldn't know him well enough to want to see it. With everyone complaining (rightfully so) about the cost of Broadway tickets, why would they spend the money on a show which wouldn't be for children in the first place?

Then again, I've seen parents with children at other shows that weren't child appropriate either. Guess some parents don't care as long as they can go out and drag the kids along.

I agree with Sophie. I wouldn't read the WSJ for theatre reviews either. Actually, I don't read the WSJ!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/21/05 at 2:08pm

I don't necessarily see a problem with kids seeing the show. Granted, I wouldn't bring a five-year-old, but it's good music and it's pop-culture history. I think kids may not fully appreciate it, but then again - generationally, I'm not in the right place for the show, either. And I liked it. Very, very much.

I was over there the other day to ask Julia to sign something, and she ended up staying to tal to my friends and I for a while; she was like "Did you SEE the Wall Street Journal today?!!" She seemed like she was laughing it off as best she could, but it broke my heart. There are ways to say what you think.

Updated On: 8/21/05 at 02:08 PM

[My Name in Lights]

Posted: 8/21/05 at 2:21pm

I'm not saying it's a problem with kids seeing the show. I love this show and want everyone to go out and see it; but,

earlier in the thread, someone else mentioned the cost of seats and taking a family of 4 to see LENNON, even at a discount is high. My point is if it's a problem, then don't go; but also don't bi--ch about it; and try to negate anyone else's opinion who wishes to go. It comes across as a personal vendetta against the show and its creators.