The Broadway Musical Blog – Musical theater news and gossip from the Great White Way
Dishing out daily (or almost daily) Broadway musical news and gossip. The companion site to The Broadway Musical Home (broadwaymusicalhome.com), a directory of Broadway musicals with the story, songs, merchandise, video clips, lyrics, tickets, rights & awards for almost 200 shows.Archive for March, 2011
The Reviews for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying are in…
Critics were split down the middle about the latest revival to open on Broadway, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, which marked the Broadway musical debut for Daniel Radcliffe (best known for playing Harry Potter). Everyone agreed that he was “really trying” hard and either loved it and thought it fitting for the role and production, or named it celebrity casting at its worst. Here’s what the major publications had to say:
NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW
“Got a minute to listen to a pitch for a new reality-television series? It’s a guaranteed winner. You know “Dancing With the Stars”? Well, imagine taking it one step further. “
Click here to read the full “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying” review
NEW YORK POST REVIEW
“Daniel Radcliffe is so adorable in his Broadway musical debut, you just want to pinch his cheeks. It’s not just his youth — the “Harry Potter” star is 21 — but the endearing amount of dedication and enthusiasm he pours into steering the new revival of “How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”"
Click here to read the full “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying” review
USA TODAY REVIEW
“It’s an old showbiz rule that a performer should never make his job look like work. But there are times when it’s great fun to watch an actor, particularly a famous one, rise to an obvious challenge.”
Click here to read the full “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying” review
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY REVIEW
“You don’t need a self-help book to figure out how to revive Frank Loesser’s dated but worthy 1961 musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. All you really need is Daniel Radcliffe, the 21-year-old coiled spring of energy who manages to embody the ethos of corporate-ladder-climbing opportunist J. Pierpont Finch with a winning combination of youth, talent, and sheer willpower.”
Click here to read the full “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying” review
LA TIMES REVIEW
“Harry Potter as a triple threat? Let’s not get carried away. The sorcery of director Rob Ashford’s Broadway revival of “How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” which opened Sunday at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, isn’t that potent. “
Click here to read the full “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying” review
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER REVIEW
“The Bottom Line: Watching the boy wizard sing and dance might be novelty enough for his fans, but his star vehicle could use a stronger shot of magic. “
Click here to read the full “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying” review
CHICAGO TRIBUNE REVIEW
“Daniel Radcliffe has one huge advantage over others who’ve played J. Pierrepont Finch, the ambitious young fellow atop the 1961 musical “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” Radcliffe is a fully established, wholly bankable, entirely charming international star at the age of 21. He doesn’t have to play the role like a Broadway wiseguy; he can play him as a risk-taking, flying-by-the-seat-of-his-pants kid.”
Click here to read the full “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying” review
AM NEW YORK REVIEW
“He’s starring in a show called “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” but no one can accuse 21-year-old Daniel Radcliffe of not “trying” to prove that his talent as an actor stretches beyond potions and wizardry at Hogwarts.”
Click here to read the full “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying” review
WASHINGTON POST REVIEW
“Daniel Radcliffe, the plucky young anchor of the “Harry Potter” franchise, is in dire straits once again, entangled in a scary predicament requiring the fortitude and resourcefulness of a wizard of far greater experience than his.”
Click here to read the full “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying” review
What do you think of the show?
The Reviews for The Book of Mormon are in…
And wow do critics love it. I haven’t seen critical praise this unanimous for years! Every element of the show was lauded – the music, the cast, the writing – everything. They all agree – it’s a book musical done right with a perfect amount of childish cheek layered on top. Congratulations to all involved!
NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW
“This is to all the doubters and deniers out there, the ones who say that heaven on Broadway does not exist, that it’s only some myth our ancestors dreamed up. I am here to report that a newborn, old-fashioned, pleasure-giving musical has arrived at the Eugene O’Neill Theater, the kind our grandparents told us left them walking on air if not on water. So hie thee hence, nonbelievers (and believers too), to “The Book of Mormon,” and feast upon its sweetness. “
Click here to read the full “The Book Of Mormon” review
VARIETY REVIEW
“Given the key contributors that “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone teamed with for their first Broadway outing, one might expect “The Book of Mormon” to show the influences of “Spamalot” and “Avenue Q.” As it happens, this raucously funny new show surpasses both of those Tony winners, and handily so: Every song enhances the hilarity, expert staging heightens every gag, and the cast of fresh faces is blissfully good. Broadway hasn’t seen anything like it since Mel Brooks came to town with “The Producers,” only “Mormon” has better songs.”
Click here to read the full “The Book Of Mormon” review
LA TIMES REVIEW
“If the sound of doorbells has ever provoked bigger guffaws in the theater, there must be some forgotten comedy gem about Avon ladies. But it’s hard to imagine anyone topping the ding-dong hilarity set off by the missionaries-in-training of “The Book of Mormon,” which had its Broadway opening Thursday at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre.”
Click here to read the full “The Book Of Mormon” review
WASHINGTON POST REVIEW
“I know, I know: You’ve been indulging for years in a little scatological side business called “South Park.” But now, you’ve discovered your true calling — as the wit-spewing class clowns of Broadway.”
Click here to read the full “The Book Of Mormon” review
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER REVIEW
“The Bottom Line: The first Broadway musical from the “South Park” team will have the comedy faithful flocking. “
Click here to read the full “The Book Of Mormon” review
AM NEW YORK REVIEW
“Don’t expect to find any members of the Mormon faith protesting outside “The Book of Mormon,” a tuneful, unabashedly silly and absolutely uproarious new musical by Matt Stone and Trey Parker.”
Click here to read the full “The Book Of Mormon” review
CHICAGO TRIBUNE REVIEW
“If any show could make the case that you can have fun with absolutely anything in the oft-painful run of human experience — AIDS, genocide, genital mutilation, poverty, religion, “The Lion King” — then that show is “The Book of Mormon,” the shrewd, remarkably well-crafted and wholly hilarious new Broadway musical from the creators of “South Park” and the composer of “Avenue Q.””
Click here to read the full “The Book Of Mormon” review
Have you seen it? Do you agree?
The Reviews for Priscilla Queen of the Desert are in…
Priscilla Queen of the Desert opened on Broadway on March 20 to very mixed reviews. Most critics agree that is show is made of fabulous fluff, but some were left wanting more, while others were carried away by the elaborate glitz. Have you seen the show? What did you think?
NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW
“Every conceivable surface has been decked with sequins, spattered with colored lights, plastered in mirrored chips or trimmed in feathers and fringe in “Priscilla Queen of the Desert,” the new musical that shimmied open Sunday night at the Palace Theater. Probably a few inconceivable surfaces have been accessorized with equally exotic detail, but I hesitate to inquire. “
Click here to read the full “Priscilla Queen Of The Desert” review
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER REVIEW
“The Bottom Line: Big, brassy, unapologetically profane and over the top — it’s no wonder Bette Midler signed on as a producer. “
Click here to read the full “Priscilla Queen Of The Desert” review
AM NEW YORK REVIEW
““Priscilla Queen of the Desert” is not so much a normal musical but rather a loud, oversized karaoke party and midnight drag show. You really want to have fun, but it is so aggressively campy that it soon becomes irritating and too much to stomach.”
Click here to read the full “Priscilla Queen Of The Desert” review
NEWSDAY REVIEW
“‘Excuse me, class coming through,” says Bernadette as she calmly clears a path through the toughies in the tavern in the Australian Outback. And even if she has to say so herself, the woman knows what she knows — which means that we want to know, too.”
Click here to read the full “Priscilla Queen Of The Desert” review
NEW YORK POST REVIEW
“So confident is “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” in its ability to ramp up the thrills that it doesn’t wait for the finale to drop the confetti — it falls a mere 30 minutes in shamelessly feel-good show won’t do to entertain, from bringing theatergoers onstage to dance to lowering its singing divas from the rafters. It may look a bit ramshackle at times, but “Priscilla” has a big, joyous heart.”
Click here to read the full “Priscilla Queen Of The Desert” review
CHICAGO TRIBUNE REVIEW
“The first tipoff to the desired ambiance at “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” is severe-faced Broadway ushers sporting huge purple boas. The second is the early descent not just of a disco ball, but the mother of all disco balls — a shimmering, spinning colossus that would put even a jet-lagged kangaroo in the mood for a Broadway party. And the third? Well, the opening number is “It’s Raining Men,” warbled by three divas in the sky and underscored by various colorfully attired gents who do their best to eclipse any competing form of precipitation.”
Click here to read the full “Priscilla Queen Of The Desert” review
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY REVIEW
“Imagine La Cage aux Folles crossed with Rock of Ages and a dash of Mamma Mia! and you’ll get some sense of what awaits you at Broadway’s latest jukebox musical extravaganza, Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Based on the 1994 Australian movie about three road-tripping drag queens, this production boasts a score of super-familiar disco and pop hits and some seriously show-stopping costumes designed by Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner, who won the Oscar for their work on the film and are safe bet to pick up a Tony this June. You might recall that Gardiner wore a self-made dress of Gold American Express cards to the Oscar-cast and her designs for the on-stage Priscilla are just as delightfully eye-catching and colorfully hilarious.”
Click here to read the full “Priscilla Queen Of The Desert” review
I Feel So Much Spring
It’s been a crazy couple of months and I’m afraid my blogging has fallen to the wayside. Sadly when you simultaneously start doing eight shows a week and begin a 40-hour-a-week day job, something has to get left behind, and I’m afraid this blog was one of the casualties. But the show is winding down and the job becoming more manageable, so I am back in full force and hoping to be a more consistent blogger this time around.
Lots of exciting shows are opening in the next few weeks, the world’s favorite joke – Spider-man has delayed its opening yet again and the weather is finally starting to turn with an eye towards spring. Keep an eye on the blog – I’ll post all of the critical reviews as they come in and I’ll do my best to pull out all the juicy news and happenings.
The Broadway Musical Blog lives again!
