WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Opening Night Critics' Reviews- Page 3

[BOM]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 9:54pm

I also saw both on the same day. The Notebook is far and away the better show. How do we get Ben Brantley to come back? 

[George in DC]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 9:57pm

MemorableUserName said: "So, it's Rex Reed, who hates most things and who loved Beanie in Funny Girl, so take what you will from it:

Observer:‘Water for Elephants’ Theater Review: “I’ve Never Hated Any Show More”

https://observer.com/2024/03/water-for-elephants-theater-review-the-worst-broadway-show-ever/

"After suffering through the new Broadway musical The Notebook, I thought I had seen the worst of what the 2024 season would bring. I was wrong. I had not seen Water for Elephants yet. Now I have. It can’t get any deadlier than this.""

 

Rex Reed is a sad, pathetic, has been. A man who became famous with no talent whatsoever. As a gay man I can say this, he is just and has always been, a Bitter old queen.

 

Updated On: 3/21/24 at 09:57 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 9:58pm

I know someone in the cast making their Broadway debut so I am happy to see the positive reviews and NYT's Critic's Pick.

[Menken Fan]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:01pm

I don't think I've ever seen such a wide range of reviews - everything from Critics Pick to worst show I've ever seen.  How does the public react to such diverse opinions? Do they even really care? This is nuts!

Also, Jesse Green panning The Notebook and praising Water For Elephants is baffling to me. I know not everyone loved The Notebook like I did, but these two shows are not opposite ends of the spectrum...

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:03pm

Variety is a rave:

‘Water for Elephants’ Review: Broadway Musical and Circus Merge for Spellbinding Entertainment

https://variety.com/2024/legit/reviews/water-for-elephants-review-broadway-musical-1235948534/

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:07pm

NY Sun is positive:

Full of Sparkle, ‘Water For Elephants’ Is Also Unapologetically Sentimental and Moving

The flash comes from the choreography supplied by Shana Carroll, a Cirque du Soleil veteran, and Jesse Robb, who have given the company relentlessly and flamboyantly acrobatic routines.

https://www.nysun.com/article/full-of-sparkle-water-for-elephants-is-also-unapologetically-sentimental-and-because-of-the-players-moving

"The show’s heart, though, is provided by librettist Rick Elice, whose previous credits include the crowd-pleasing “Jersey Boys” and the whimsical and poignant “Peter and the Starcatcher,” as well as Pigpen Theatre Co., a “band of storytellers” whose fetching, theatrically savvy music and lyrics deliver more style and substance than most contemporary Broadway scores."

"Ms. Carroll’s circus design and David Israel Reynoso’s costumes add further sparkle to the proceedings, but again, it’s not the spectacle that gives that unapologetically sentimental musical its surprising appeal. In the end, the players in “Water For Elephants” will move you at least as much as they dazzle you — and for an outing of this sort, that’s a feat in itself."

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:14pm

These reviews are way better than I expected. I feel like it has worked its way into a Tony nom conversation, possibly at the expense of The Notebook.

[Hope Lombardo]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:14pm

I'm thrilled for the cast to see such a beautiful review by the Times....the critic seemed truly moved by what he experienced...which is what we all want from the plays we see....

@Jordan Catalano it looks like you were spot-on with your review of this show. :) 

Updated On: 3/21/24 at 10:14 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:15pm

I saw the two shows back to back (Tues night/Weds matinee) and I MUCH preferred Water to the boring Notebook.  Not trying to say I'm right vs those that felt the other way - just providing the other side of the coin.

 

I will say I'm surprised there weren't more middle of the road reviews.

 

 

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:21pm

I simply cannot believe some of these glowing reviews. Truly taken back...

I may actually try to get a lotto ticket to see if it really has gotten better

[Kad]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:31pm

Really surprised at the range of these, based on word of mouth I've heard. Good for the production, overall.

However, we've seen shows that receive a royal flush of critical praise fall short at the box office (Days of Wine and Roses, for instance). Reviews don't seem to have the weight they used to when it comes to Broadway- they only seem to move the dial off of Broadway. Word of mouth mixed with broad popular appeal seems to be what has been sustaining success.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:34pm

George in DC said: "MemorableUserName said: "So, it's Rex Reed, who hates most things and who loved Beanie in Funny Girl, so take what you will from it:

Observer:‘Water for Elephants’ Theater Review: “I’ve Never Hated Any Show More”

https://observer.com/2024/03/water-for-elephants-theater-review-the-worst-broadway-show-ever/

"After suffering through the new Broadway musical The Notebook, I thought I had seen the worst of what the 2024 season would bring. I was wrong. I had not seen Water for Elephants yet. Now I have. It can’t get any deadlier than this.""



Rex Reed is a sad, pathetic, has been. A man who became famous with no talent whatsoever. As a gay man I can say this, he is just and has always been, a Bitter old queen.

"

Rex Reed is the Cindy Adams of John Simons! 

[theatretenor2]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:35pm

I do think in this case, the show's circus appeal combined with the reviews will help sell tickets.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:40pm

JSquared2 said: "
Rex Reed is the Cindy Adams of John Simons!"

Okay, that is maybe the best thing you've ever posted.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:44pm

I truly have no idea what is going to happen with the Best Musical nominations at this point, and I kind of love it.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:46pm

IdinaBellFoster said: "I truly have no idea what is going to happen with the Best Musical nominations at this point, and I kind of love it."

It'll be interesting this year for sure- even more so considering two of the strongest contenders for Best Musical - Illinoise and Hell's Kitchen- will be ineligible for Best Score (and in Illinoise's case, likely also Best Book). And the performances are also scattered amongst shows, as well.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:49pm

IdinaBellFoster said: "I truly have no idea what is going to happen with the Best Musical nominations at this point, and I kind of love it."

agreed, and i get such deep joy from all these anonymous know-it-alls making message board predictions with message board authority that amounts to.... nothing. 

this was never as bad as the naysayers said it was, but i am still shocked by Jesse Green's love letter to it. Still, it isnt just him- theres a large swath of positive reviews here, and i hope it helps fill that big theater. This show needed these reviews way more than i suspect the Notebook did...

 

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 11:18pm

Those reviews are so good that now maybe they have a chance to a Tony nomination.

I think unless things go horribly wrong Illinoise and Hells Kitchen seems very likely nominees, but aside from that… what is coming?

“The Outsiders” is Looking great, “Suffs” didnt get the best reviews off Broadway, first impressions from “Lempicka” are skeptical, “The Notebook” reviews were mid.

I just dont know…

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 11:18pm

I was truly baffled by the Critic's Pick from Jesse Green as well.  At first I thought he had just given up on movie to musical (yes, I know there's a novel) adaptations and was pleasantly surprised enough by it to overlook the book, but his comments on the book of the show didn't seem to ring true to me at all, based on what I saw (March 13).  I left a longer review in the other thread but while I didn't think this was a trainwreck, it did seem to me that the storytelling was lacking a bit.

Sara Holdren's review seems much more in line with my experience at the show.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 11:29pm

Jessica Stone has solidified herself as a force to be reckoned with. I bet she's got a lot of offers coming (if she didn't have them after Kimberly).

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 12:21am

dramamama611 said: "I saw the two shows back to back (Tues night/Weds matinee) and I MUCH preferred Water to the boring Notebook. Not trying to say I'm right vs those that felt the other way - just providing the other side of the coin.
I"

Same! I thought The Notebook was pretty middle-of-the-road other than the two phenomenal older characters, whereas Water for Elephants was dazzling and electric. I was so surprised to read all the negative responses here afterwards. It was like we totally saw a different show.

Updated On: 3/22/24 at 12:21 AM

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 7:41am

Between The Notebook and Water for Elephants reviews, I'm beginning to question my own taste considering they're the polar opposite of a majority of the reviews - LOL. Also interestingly enough I wasn't a fan of the book/movie of The Notebook, but loved the stage adaptation. On the other side of the coin, I loved the book/movie of Water for Elephants, but I pretty much detested the stage adaptation.

Anyways, very curious to see if these reviews will translate into sales. If anything, I think this helps solidify a best musical nod at the Tonys... something I didn't think possible for Water for Elephants until now.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 7:54am

Jessica Stone has solidified herself as a force to be reckoned with. I bet she's got a lot of offers coming (if she didn't have them after Kimberly).

And to believe she made her Broadway debut playing Frenchy in the 1994 Broadway revival of GREASE! Never underestimate anyone's ambition as anything is possible.  

And yes, that's Billy Porter as Teen Angel singing "Beauty School Dropout"

[BJR]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 8:05am

It's truly wild when you can see the bar get lowered for a show. Some of the raves even mention things that would normally cause a production to receive a scathing pan (I still haven't forgiven Green for suddenly being uncharitably discerning with Company).

Baffling. I wonder what other twists will come with the 37 shows to open this month.

[BETTY22]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 8:37am

We are about to see the real power of the NYT. 

Once, I review like this would be gold $$$$$$$$$$$$