Posted: 4/6/17 at 9:57pm
GreasedLightning said: "PS - ljay, THANK YOU for giving some depth to the review links."
Retweet.
Posted: 4/6/17 at 10:03pm
Brantley is in, and I believe is positive (reading quickly): https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/06/theater/review-war-paint-patti-lupone-christine-ebersole.html
Edit: Brantley raves about LuPone and Ebersole, but is a bit more restrained on the show itself.
Updated On: 4/6/17 at 10:03 PM
Posted: 4/6/17 at 10:07pm
Yes, he gave another rave to the ladies, but definitely mixed on aspects of the show. Unfortunately he didn't make it a critic's pick.
Updated On: 4/6/17 at 10:07 PM
Posted: 4/6/17 at 10:10pm
BroadwayConcierge said: "Brantley is in, and I believe is positive (reading quickly): https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/06/theater/review-war-paint-patti-lupone-christine-ebersole.html
Edit: Brantley raves about LuPone and Ebersole, but is a bit more restrained on the show itself.
"
And I quote, from Brantley:
"So, though my eyes occasionally glazed seeing “War Paint” for the second time, I wouldn’t have missed it, if only to hear its leading ladies’ climactic ballads. Ms. LuPone has an ardently sung tribute to the preservative powers of narcissism, during which a gallery of Rubinstein’s portraits by famous artists materializes behind her."
Eyes glazing is definitely the quote they should pull...
Posted: 4/6/17 at 10:15pm
disneybroadwayfan22 said: "So locked for a Best Musical nom then."
I wouldn't say that (and I'd actually argue the opposite). The only thing these reviews did for me was "lock" both LuPone and Ebersole for nominations.
Posted: 4/6/17 at 10:15pm
Exactly what I was expecting from Brantley. Thank you ljay for actually posting quotes from the reviews! I was at rehearsal and it made this so much easier.
Overall the reviews were very positive. Anyone doubting that both LuPone & Ebersole will both be nominated are kidding themselves. Depending on reviews for GROUNDHOG DAY, BANDSTAND & ANASTASIA I think WAR PAINT could be a Best Musical nominee. Just from word of mouth I can't see the the reviews for BANDSTAND & GROUNDHOG DAY being much better.
Posted: 4/6/17 at 10:18pm
disneybroadwayfan22 said: "So locked for a Best Musical nom then.
"
Yeah, I think the reviews and the star power make this a prohibitive bet for a nomination.
So that makes (in no order) -- DEH, Comet, Come From, and WarPaint. One more slot out there.
Wouldn't it be interesting if it turned out to be Bronx Tale? It deserves something for surprising everyone (me too) with how well it has done.
Posted: 4/6/17 at 10:19pm
There are likely only four slots for Best Musical. Four has been the precedent for a long time—last year's five nominees was an anomalous circumstance.
Posted: 4/6/17 at 10:20pm
Usually only four best Musical nominees, but with how big this year has been, I could see there being five. I mostly believe it'll only be four, with this nabbing the fourth slot.
Posted: 4/6/17 at 10:20pm
You guys are welcome! Glad you liked the pull quotes.
I agree, both ladies are clearly going to be nominated, and I would also not be surprised to see it get a Best musical nomination, especially if Groundhog is not well received. I could see it getting a nomination in the same vein as "The Visit," not having a chance but a nomination honoring the craft and talent of the piece and all involved.
Posted: 4/6/17 at 10:22pm
Agreed. There seems to be a lot of respect for the pedigree of those involved.
Posted: 4/6/17 at 10:25pm
LesWickedly said: "Usually only four best Musical nominees, but with how big this year has been, I could see there being five. I mostly believe it'll only be four, with this nabbing the fourth slot.
If there are four, then it's hard to see anything yet to open crashing the party. Not saying it couldn't happen, but I just think DEH, Comet (which I hated, but accept that I am in a minority), are sure shots. And it's hard to argue against CFA and War Paint. And it's hard to pick a winner among them -- although so far I think I lean to Mr. Hansen.
Posted: 4/6/17 at 10:31pm
4 stars from The Stage (UK)
Verdict:
Bold musical portrait of two real-life legends starring two Broadway ones
https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2017/war-paint-starring-patti-lupone-christine-ebersole/
Posted: 4/6/17 at 10:35pm
Isherwood raves for the ladies, but calls the musical "enjoyable not memorable."
The magic elixirs are quite plainly the two veteran Broadway stars above the title, Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole, giving performances of such resplendent force, wit and vivacity that the evening gleams like a freshly applied coat of nail polish catching the light.
http://broadway.news/2017/04/06/review/war-paint-review/
Posted: 4/6/17 at 10:57pm
LesWickedly said: "Usually only four best Musical nominees, but with how big this year has been, I could see there being five. I mostly believe it'll only be four, with this nabbing the fourth slot."
No matter what you might "see" - the Tony rules are very clear. The only reason that there would be five nominees is only in the rare situation "in the event that the Accounting Firm determines that the difference in votes between the fourth highest ranked show and the fifth highest ranked show is three votes or less."
Updated On: 4/6/17 at 10:57 PM
Posted: 4/6/17 at 10:59pm
Markbear, that's why I said it'll most likely be four.
Posted: 4/6/17 at 11:02pm
It could still absolutely happen that we have 5 nominees. Amelie is almost definitely out of the game. Groundhog Day next...
Posted: 4/6/17 at 11:16pm
Off-topic I know but I wonder if Patti and Glenn Close ever bump into each other in NYC...
Posted: 4/6/17 at 11:24pm
BRANTLEY's review read decidedly mixed...
Posted: 4/6/17 at 11:26pm
These reviews make me wonder if I want to sit through a show about makeup.
Posted: 4/6/17 at 11:30pm
We're seeing WP on Saturday so I'm excited by the current reviews for the evening. Everyone is so focused on Tony noms but there are still other high profile shows to open; what about Anastasia, Charlie..? Anyway you look at it, this will be a year to measure other years by for both revivals and new musicals. May they all have a shot at decent runs and work for a lot of Broadway talent!
Updated On: 4/6/17 at 11:30 PM
Posted: 4/6/17 at 11:55pm
Sit through the show about make up!
It;s not about make up. It's about suceeding in business; the hard choices (both good and bad) one makes to stay in business; alienating the people who love you to stay on top and realizing that your competition who you hate it exactly the same as you.
In my humble opionion the most intellegent and enjoyable musical to open this year. And h0w refreshing to have not one but two stars.
I found Natasha and The Comet an unintelligble endless bore in spite of the beautiifully transformed theatre. and exuberance of its cast. , Amelie and Groundhog's Day pretty mediocre. Dear Evan Handson.. overratated;
I found the character studies in War Paint of both Rubenstein and Arden by Lupone and Ebersole fascinating. The acting portrayals spot on. War Paint is everything a Broadway Show should be.
Okay thats my two cents. Best new musical this year.
Updated On: 4/7/17 at 11:55 PM
Posted: 4/7/17 at 12:01am
Small reminder to everyone clamoring about War Paint getting the 4th Best Musical nom due solely to the positive/lukewarm reviews - Brantley didn't even give this a Critics Pick, and his feelings on Groundhog Day are much stronger and more positive about the show as a whole.
Posted: 4/7/17 at 12:05am
Well he could have a different opinion when he sees in on Broadway as he did with Play That Goes Wrong.
