YOU'RE WELCOME, AMERICA Reviews

The Associated Press is A RAVE:

"The facts are not particularly revelatory, none that a reader of daily newspapers (and there must be few left) won’t know. It’s what Ferrell does with them that counts, taking off on wild riffs that produce giddy waves of laughter.

No one escapes Ferrell’s sharp, often naughty sense of humor, starting with members of the Bush clan. Fans of Bush’s mother, Barbara, will not be too pleased with his steely description of the family’s matriarch.

Ferrell works his way through the ex-president’s two terms with a photo display of all the man’s Cabinet members and some choice comments, particularly about Donald Rumsfeld. Of course, there’s also a special shout-out to his vice president, Dick Cheney. And foreign leaders come in for a few jabs, too."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29040371/

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The New York Daily News gives the show 4 OUT OF 5 STARS:

"Ferrell has Dubya down pat - the stance, butthead chuckle, constant squint and tumbleweed twang, which sparks one of the show's best jokes.

He's a strapping guy with a big expressive face made for the stage. One minute, he looks presidential and handsome. The next, like a doofus. Then he seems sorta sleazy. His chameleon-like magic is what's made Ferrell so funny in so many comedies, whether it's "Old School" or "Elf.""

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/arts/2009/02/05/2009-02-05_mission_accomplished_will_ferrell_is_stu.html

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Variety is A RAVE:

"McKay's unfussy production makes good use of Eugene Lee's patriotic set and Lisa Cuscuna and Chris Cronin's amusing video elements. There's also a fun sampling of appropriate music, from triumphalist '80s rock to Billy Joel, the Doobie Brothers and George Jones crooning "My Elusive Dream."

Despite minimal input from four other players -- including Secret Service agent dance breaks that serve little purpose beyond giving Ferrell time for costume changes -- this is basically a solo show, more standup than play. And from his airborne entrance to his faux-reflective exit ("Am I the worst president of all time?"), Ferrell is deep in character -- absolutely in charge and at ease, notably in a freestyle segment in which he comes up with instant nicknames for audience members.

Diehard or even casual Ferrell fans will not feel cheated."

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117939581.html?categoryid=33&cs=1

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Talkin' Broadway is VERY POSITIVE:

"Ferrell receives nominal support from his brother Patrick as a groove-seeking Secret Service agent, Michael Delaney as a shoe-throwing heckler, and - most arrestingly - Pia Glenn as a sinewy, lap-dancing Condoleezza Rice. He does not, however, need it. Nor does he require even the modest accoutrements provided by set designer Eugene Lee, projection artists Lisa Cuscuna and Chris Cronin, lighting designer Brian MacDevitt, and costume designer Tom Broecker. Ferrell not only holds the stage, but fills it - an impressive feat, especially given the way the open-air intimacy of Broadway theaters has suffocated more accomplished A-list actors than he over the past few seasons.

So expansive is Ferrell’s personality, in fact, you might find yourself wondering whether he ever could (or ever would) consider a real play rather than a burlesque as risk-free as this one. He might not see the need: Once you’ve been the president, isn’t everything a step down? So one can’t blame Farrell for wanting to squeeze every last drop of comedic juice from his most celebrated imitation before the American people’s short attention spans alight on newer targets. Alas, Ferrell will probably never be properly equipped to play President Obama. But judging by how well he holds his own here as writer and actor, he should feel free to return to Broadway to tackle just about anything - or anyone - else."

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/world/YWAmerica.html

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I'm glad the reviews are highlighting the production values as I thought they were excellent all around. I thought this show was incredibly well conceived and executed.

Backstage is POSITIVE:

"...Most of the material is pretty silly stuff along those same third-grade lines. Ferrell even descends to body humor by flashing a photo of his genitals on a giant screen. But there are sparks of political insight along with the slapstick. Bush bombards us with facts and figures reflecting the ineptitude of his administration and then arrogantly defends each fumble, from the "Mission Accomplished" banner to the lame response to Hurricane Katrina. The basic concept of an unfettered Bush running off at the mouth is effective, and the star maintains the appropriate air of clueless entitlement. It seems a shame this is the only political commentary currently on Broadway and that there are few recent American plays or musicals directly dealing with the state of the union.

The highlight is a bit in which Ferrell parodies Bush's habit of coining nicknames for colleagues. The star calls on audience members to give him their names and occupations, then he comes up with a witty Bushian moniker. At the performance attended, when one theatregoer said he worked on Wall Street, Ferrell shot back, "I'm gonna call you SH*T Outta Luck," and then topped it with "And it's not my fault.""

http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/nyc/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003939035

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Updated On: 2/5/09 at 09:50 PM

Guarantee you that "I laughed, I yawned" is the pull quote, not that they need one.

Liza and the Tony? Like WHAT could compete with THAT???

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I might have to check this out now.... political humor isn't really my thing.

True, but it's the excitement of seeing it LIVE. I mean, theater is hard to capture on television. You miss the scene transitions and other stuff that I like.

LimeLightMike, shouldn't you know that? Since you're always talking about your theatrical writing projects? :|

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THE NEW YORK POST is positive with three out of four stars:

"AT this point, the prospect of spending an evening in the company of George W. Bush hardly sounds appealing, whatever your political persuasion. But as personified by Will Ferrell, reprising the hilarious caricature he honed to perfection on "Saturday Night Live," the ex-president turns out to be a hell of a lot of fun to hang with.

...

The evening, scripted by Ferrell and directed by Adam McKay, gets serious for a moment when Bush describes his torment over the war's casualties and calls for a moment of silence. While admirably intentioned, it doesn't really fit in with the surrounding farce.

No doubt Ferrell will retire his most famous character after the show ends its run next month. We can only hope future administrations won't provide as much comic fodder as the last one."

Full Review

Yeah. I just posted wondering if that was intentional. They got it right for opening night party though. LOL.

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