I'd actually argue that these reviews are all filled with lots of positives that then boil down to the critic essentially saying "but that's not what I wanted..."
It feels like the reviews are worse than bad: they’re indifferent. Most of these could be summed up with a collective shrug. I can’t say I felt especially differently about it myself. Well-intentioned. A generous try. But...meh.
More negative than positive reviews, but, as someone who hasn’t seen this, I was expecting even more negative reviews based on the buzz on here. Not that it will matter. I suspect even unanimous raves couldn’t extend its longevity or significantly boost its box office.
broadwaysfguy said: "its entertaining to watch bww editors try to grab any positive snippets from the mostly terrible reviews to try and prop this trainwreck up...."
Sauja said: "It feels like the reviews are worse than bad: they’re indifferent. Most of these could be summed up with a collective shrug. I can’t say I felt especially differently about it myself. Well-intentioned. A generous try. But...meh."
Exactly ....I didn't hate it, but I didn't like it very much. (and I really wanted to!)
But that NYT review is worse than I expected
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
I’d pay to see the show. I’d go see it tomorrow if I lived closer to the city. There are genuine people who really liked this piece and want to support it just as there are for every show.
MusicAndPassion said: "It’s not too hard to envision a simple but at least workable structure for a Go-Go’s jukebox musical. It could have been about a “Good Girl” who goes on “Vacation” and falls “Head Over Heels” for a “Cool Jerk.”
Escape to Margaritaville took that plot this season...(took it down, perhaps?)
I liked, but didn't love HOH. The music was good, story cute. Not a subte musical, but fun . More jokes landed than in, e.g., Getting the Band Back Together. Not high art, but I wasn't sorry I saw it
Haven't seen the show, but heard fairly bad things. I thought Brantley's comment about the "he finds himself strangely drawn to her -- I mean them" was a bit off-putting.
Synecdoche2 said: "Ben Brantley disparaging people who use they/them pronouns in his review..."
Disparaging might be too strong of a word, but he definitely was a little catty toward the idea in his review, which was off-putting. Sometimes he strikes me as being a little too old-fashioned in little ways like that.