Will Matilda make it in NY?

I went to go see Matilda on London's West End yesterday. It was by far the worst show I have ever seen in my life, and I have seen many, many shows. I know they are bringing it to broadway, and I just cannot understand why. I do not see it making it more than a few months on broadway. I am just one person, but I went with a group of 8 people with various tastes, and not one of them liked it. I am wondering if anyone else from the U.S. has seen this show, and what you thought of it? Anyone from the UK or elsewhere is welcome to chime in.

Let me go over my biggest problems with the show:
(1) No Grounding Characters: Parents are clowns, Children are directed to be too cutsie-wootsie, Trunchbull is an absolute joke. Ms. Honey is semi-grounding but she isn't nearly grounding enough, her songs are dumb, she does the whole "yippee yippee, o sorry i got carried away" thing which made her seem totally stupid. The only grounding character is the librarian who isn't in the show nearly enough and interacts with no one besides Matilda. I do not even want to begin talking about the Latin dance partner of Matilda's mother, the Russian Mafia members, or the brother.

(2) Expectations from the Movie: The movie was so awesome because Matilda does all of the magic stuff, messing around with the lights at home, making the carrot fly off her plate. That was all TOTALLY MISSING in the musical. The only magic involved is the newt scene.

(3) Songs were unmemorable.

(4) Very dark aspect of it. I would not say this is suitable for children under 7, but children under 7 are the only people who may in their right mind find this show entertaining.

(5) Simply did not find it funny.

So what did you guys think? Why did you like it? Why didn't you like it? Do you think it has a chance in NY? Did you take your kids? Also include where you are from in your response because I'm interested in seeing if maybe that affects the answers.

Thank you!

(1) yes, I did because I am really curious about this and care about Theater & The Arts

(2) old nickname that I use on forums

(3) Right, which is why I am so curious about why people like it. I did give reasons, i'd like those responded to.

no, I have never auditioned for Broadway.

I am very seriously looking for someone to engage in an open conversation about this.

What is the second act sequence in the bra factory? That's not from Matilda...

Also Michael Crawford, from what I could gather on Google, isn't in the production.

You saw the show, commented on it strongly and couldn't immediately remember if Michael Crawford was in it? Or if there was a sequence in the Bra factory? Interesting.

So tell me Trollie, you didn't really see the show, did you?

I just don't like Patti. Sorry. Gottfried was a revelation- especially during the nude scene. Who knew?

Honey Boo Boo is already pegged to be a Matilda replacement, right?

anyone who has seen the show knows ive seen it to because of what I have said

Yes, because of the immense specificity of "Songs were unmemorable" and "simply did not find it funny"

(Nvm: I misread the topic title.)

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Updated On: 1/8/13 at 02:33 PM

While I think it's dubious whether the original poster saw this show, I actually did back in February.
Honestly, I didn't like it. I find most shows with children in them pretty nauseating unless they are particularly endearing, but I was told Matilda was different and that I should just go and see it.
The staging and sets are very impressive, the production is slick, and there is some incredible moments of design. Through this the show creates a very specific atmosphere and is very clever.
However, I found the acting to be very gimicky, Bertie Carval disappointed me, and the gestic acting got on my nerves very quickly. For me the children struggled to hold their own.
I really wanted to enjoy it, especially at the ticket price, but I found myself growing frustrated and bored. As I said the show itself is visually impressive, but this for me doesn't hold it up.

BUT
Although it was not to my tastes at all, the show will do well in NY. The audience loved it, they were laughing and engaged. I wanted to be a part of that but found myself detached from that experience.
I realise that I am just one of many theatregoers and my opinion is in the minority. While I don't think the show warrants a return visit, and I almost wish I could take back that night and get the extortionate amount of money back that I spent on the ticket, it will still do well.

"Matilda is originally a British children's novel"

Incorrect CONAries. The novel is actually Norwegian.

"rather than contradicting a well established and agreed opinion on multiple forums"

Well if everyone had the same opinions, life would be boring, no?

The novel is not Norwegian, nor was Dahl. Dahl had Norwegian parents but was born in the UK. He spoke Norwegian, sure, but the novel was first published in London.

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Norwegian? How is a book by a British author and originally published in London a Norwegian book? I know, I am probably just feeding the troll.

I saw it in London in October and thought it was wonderful. It's one of the most creative productions I've ever seen, but I too have wondered if it will be as successful on Broadway as it has been in London, simply because it is so very British in its sensibilities. I'm an Anglophile and I personally loved the Britishness of it all, but most Americans are not as familiar with UK culture and I wonder how this will be received by non-Brits and non-Anglophiles. Still, I think it's an amazing show and I hope it's a big hit on Broadway.

Here's my blog review:


Magic, Mischief and Miracles--London part 3