WHITE NOISE slammed in Chicago Tribune

[holdyourbatboy]

Posted: 4/10/11 at 6:18pm

Not pretty...unfortunately he is right.

"'White Noise,' which is written by Matte O'Brien, directed by Sergio Trujillo and staged with Broadway talent and production values, currently allows all of its bite, energy and potential to dissipate in an exaggerated, alienating and wholly predictable world of neo-Nazi clutter and music-biz cliches.

The band was real and coded hate-speech thrives, yet there is so little in this show that rings even remotely true. And that is its currently crippling problem. Without subtlety, it lacks both artistic sophistication and moral force."
Chicago Tribune WHITE NOISE Review

[Katurian2]

Posted: 4/10/11 at 6:22pm

Anyone know what band the critic is alluding to when he says one that uses coded racist speech actually exists? It's obvious not Prussian Blue, since their message isn't exactly... coded.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 4/10/11 at 6:25pm

I think the band referred to is Prussian Blue. The writing is just unclear.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/10/11 at 6:26pm

Did you make it to the end: "If you're interested in the gestation of ambitious new rock musicals, "White Noise" might be worth a look. Certainly, the composing team will lodge some of its work in your head. It is a stimulating 110 minutes. Paul Tazewell's costumes are eye-popping. And this talented cast works like crazy on Robert Brill's multi-tiered set. But the show still needs to find its central core and point of attack. It should. We could all use a credible cautionary tale."

It makes me curious to check it out.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 4/10/11 at 7:38pm

I agree with pretty much everything Jones said in his review--including his statement that despite its flaws, it's still worth checking out. And tickets are pretty cheap--about half of what you would be paying on Broadway.

[holdyourbatboy]

Posted: 4/11/11 at 12:13am

I did read the end - the review said it "might" be worth checking out. I guess if you are bored enough or have the money to spend on something like this.

My friend showed me a video of the NYMF production - which was powerful in its simplicity and actually made some sense.

Giving the brilliant idea a big shiny production with an incomprehensible, and times painfully awkward book took it in the complete wrong direction. Time to take it back to square one - bc there is something exciting about its premise.

I'm just disappointed because I thought it was an interesting, exciting idea.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/11/11 at 10:42am

I agree about the script lacking the punch and depth of such a highly charged topic, but I still found the show interesting and entertaining. I got a ticket on Hottix and it was well worth it. The cast is tremendous and the music is infectious. I'd go back just for some of those musical numbers. Hip Hop Country stopped the show and I just wanted to watch that number again and again.

I hope they continue to work on this show. I would love to see it emerge as something exciting and gain momentum. Yes, it still has a long way to go, but this isn't a bad show or production in the least. I've seen far worse get showered with praise (and awards) in Chicago. I use the critics' reviews just to get an idea of what the physical production is like. I rarely agree with them or find them consistent.

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 4/11/11 at 10:51am

Will a slam like this from the Tribune and Chris Jones cause this to be the end of the show? It has no stars or title recognition that could help it overcome the tepid to negative reviews. I can't imagine the would decide to take it to Broadway now. Or perhaps they will because Whoopi is behind it. I guess it'll be up to her.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/11/11 at 12:05pm

Well, the Sun Times liked it and the show appears to have caught some traction. I think it will still do well. Remember the scathing review of Wicked comparing it to Nazi propaganda? I've seen good reviews make a silk purse from a sow's ear, but I can't recall a bad review having much influence, especially when the critics are divided. The show is not ready for Broadway yet nor am I fully convinced it truly belongs on Broadway. But it could definitely work Off-Broadway and in the West End with more development.
Sun Times Review

[crc03772]

Posted: 4/11/11 at 4:00pm

Well, i'm very interested to at least check it out, so I bought tickets to see it when i'm in Chicago in May. Actually I purchased a groupon so I ended up paying half price. If anyone is interested, the groupon is still up for a bit longer:

http://www.groupon.com/chicago/deals/white-noise
Updated On: 4/11/11 at 04:00 PM

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 4/11/11 at 4:24pm

The cast is outstanding - the vocals are incredible at times. MacKenzie Mauzy, Emil Padgett, Wallace Smith and Rodney Hicks are worth the price of ticket. I also enjoyed the choerography even with the tiny stage. And, the technical aspects are great. The story has some major holes, the background and basis for the belifs of the sisters is confusing and mysterious. Some of the dialogue is silly and the staging awkeard at times. Regardless, I would recommend the show.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/11/11 at 6:01pm

Mauzy's belt is simply unbelievable. She manages to sustain her wattage long after you'd expect other singers to throw in the towel. Vocally, she owns the show. Padgett blends with her beautifully and holds her own. Smith and Hicks have the most believable chemistry of the cast even if their characters rarely serve as anything other than a reminder of impending conflict. I'd go back just to see them perform Hip Hop Country again. Fantastic. And I can't get the melody of Mondays Suck out of my head.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/11/11 at 6:08pm

The vehemence of this and other posts about White Noise makes me wonder what's really going on here. That review wasn't a "SLAM" by any stretch. Reviews for the show (including this one by Chris Jones) have been mixed- as you expect for a show previewing. So why the hate for this show?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/11/11 at 7:35pm

The only thing I can think of is that some of the marketing and press was conceived as misleading. I know I thought it might be more edgy or avant-garde in the vein of Hedwig and the Angry Inch when it's actually a flat-out book musical. Perhaps people were put off by the show's more conventional structure. I didn't think it was bad at all. I liked it MUCH better than that production of Desire Under the Elms that everyone RAVED about (and massively bombed on Broadway). Mixed reviews for this show are fair and that doesn't bother me in the least. It's not $120 a ticket. I think I paid $35 from Hottix and it was worth it.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/11/11 at 10:02pm

There have also been tickets available through Goldstar- I think I saw some for $25 during previews.

[bcohen]

Posted: 4/11/11 at 10:16pm

This show is like the "little engine that could." I've seen this show in almost every production it's ever had, starting at NYMF. It's never looked better. I like the way the story ends in a non
traditional musical theater way. This show is almost like it's own
genre. And that Mondays song wont get out of my head. Does anyone
know if they're doing a Chicago cast album? Let me know if you hear anything b/c I want one.

Congrats White Noise! Come to New York!

[BwayTday]

Posted: 4/11/11 at 10:47pm

In the music clip on the website, is MacKenzie Mauzy the one singing? Just curious...

I have always been intrigued by this musical since I heard about its run in New Orleans. I would definitely like to see an incarnation of it.

[holdyourbatboy]

Posted: 4/11/11 at 11:01pm

"bcohen" is a shill - just so everyone knows.
Join Date: 4/11/11