Woman in White Reviews... — Page 4

Sorry,MB - we must have posted at the same time. But nothing wrong about saying something good twice

Jo

Updated On: 11/18/05 at 01:48 AM

ALW's shows never get good reviews. People are always surprised that even EVITA was mostly panned by the New York critics (and it ended up winning the Tony for Best Musical).

But there are PLENTY of good quotes to pull from these reviews and the show is selling very well, particularly to groups, so I think it will be around at least a year or so.

Well, there you go folks. How you could possibly call Brantley's review anything other than an outright pan is hard to believe. Because of the advance, the numbers will be good for the holiday season and then slowly dry up. I imagine it'll make it through 2006 and then waste away in 2007. Anyone seen namfug?

Quote from Kissel:

For the first time in decades Lloyd Webber has had the wisdom to use an American lyricist. The last time he did so it was dead poet - and cat lover - T.S. Eliot, whose words were sometimes muddied by the superlush music.


And what about Jim Steinman? Oh right... he's British!!!

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I wonder if it was the show they didn't like or because it was ALW who wrote the music. I mean, almost every blame in most of these reviews is directed toward ALW. I kind of think that if it was someone's name attatched to it that is would do a lot better in the reviews.

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Brantley's assessment of the score at least has some back door nods to new influences like Britten. But once again, he's trashed for his (over) use of melody.

I personally think BEAUTIFUL GAME to be the far more ambitious piece, with a really compelling score, and wish it had crossed instead. I saw it near the ned of its run, eerily, just before 9/11. But its narrow milieu, subject matter (IRA), and gritty and profane lyrics no doubt make it a commercial nightmare. Too bad, because it really did take on the world we live in, without being too simplistic or sentimental. What people cry out that the musical theater is missing, yes? Lloyd Webber is rather consistently damned if he does, damned if he doesn't.

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Compare show for show of each composer and see if I am not correct. Let's write some facts here not only emotional opinions.

Updated On: 11/18/05 at 08:44 AM

I have to say that Brantley got it right. I really thought it was mediocre at best. I didn't hate anything, but really didnt love anything either about this production. I did not see Maria, tho.

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I have to agree, every member of the cast is fantastic. Wonderful voices. Starting with Maria Friedman and Michael Ball. To me being able to watch two such performers is worth the price of admission to me anytime.

The show received negative reviews from nearly everyone. One or two positive and a few mixed. It's not pretty. You can slice it however you'd like, this show is in big trouble. "Saying Ben Brantley didn't like it. Big deal" means you have no understanding that this was the final knife into the show. They will discount like crazy to keep it going for some time and then eventually pull the plug. Sorry to bring the bad news once again.

Vinnie, you have no idea what you're talking about. I know people in the show, and they had NO REHEARSAL on Wednesday. The matinee was cancelled because Maria was not quite up to two shows a day yet, and the producers did not want reviewers to see the show without her. That is the absolute truth. There were no last-minute fixes.

Vinnie-
I'm sorry but your posts are becoming laughable. I completely agree with "Michael Bennet" Ben Brantley already reviewed this show in London. Do you not understand that? They already knew what he was going to say before he wrote it! Also, they are probably pleasanlty surprised that with all the "Down with Webber" critics that the show didn't get worse reviews. ALW rarely (if ever) recieves good notices yet his shows run for years. I also laughed at your post about last minute fixes on Weds. They already had press night on Tuesday and another on Weds. Obviously they were giving the cast an afternoon of rest. Plus there is a date that a show must be "frozen" before it gets reviewed. After that they are no longer allowed to make changes. So your assumptions and statements are just totally off the mark. Oh and I LOVED that you said Brantley's review was "the final knife into the show." Was selling at 95%during Previews the FIRST knife into the show? I am unaware of the many "stabbings" you are alluding to. Please PLEASE fill me in here. If anything, Brantley's review was the FIRST punch. A very weak punch at that, saying himself that it's not an awful show. Vinnie even you yourself said you liked the show. I am sure this one will be around for awhile. Sorry you have to bring the bad, I mean FALSE news once again. Go pick on another show.