THE HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL Opening Night Critics’ Reviews- Page 3

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 3:30am

Barring award momentum this is likely closing Memorial Day weekend

hoping we atleast get a cast album 

[quizking101]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 6:45am

The abysmal sales for even the soonest upcoming performances is a damn shame. (Which, again, I never would’ve guessed based on lack of papering from what I can see).

Corey Cott did tell us at the stage door last night that the show had already made and mastered a cast recording and it will be out “in the next few weeks”

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 7:06am

Jordan Catalano said: "Oh my God. I just looked at both shows on Wednesday and there’s NOTHING sold. Thats a damn shame."

For a show that's hurting, they should be ashamed at those prices! 

 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 7:15am

They had an average ticket price of $39 last week. It has a discount code available for $89 orchestra seats. But this week, no show appears to have over 150 seats sold. They may limp along to the Tony Awards and be closed by June 23.

[Sauja]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 7:37am

ACL, can you share the $89 discount code? I’m curious about this one!

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 7:42am

“I (a person who keeps tabs on almost all Broadway shows) only learned tonight via reviews that the show is:

• a musical comedy
• set in the 80s
• antics involving a cardboard factory
• featuring a himbo in a towel”

I find it hard to believe that you had no idea this show was set in the 80s - and same for the himbo in a towel, as that’s all anyone has truly talked about other than “wow what a fun unserious time”. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 7:47am

Sauja said: "ACL, can you share the $89 discount code? I’m curious about this one!"

It's the one up at Broadwaybox.com

[BETTY22]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 7:48am

Loving these great reviews......and fabulous quotes.

I hope they save this adorable show - although, I don't think critics make much difference anymore. 

Hopefully, they will get a big national tour

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 8:53am

"The most damning thing about this show's abysmal advertising campaign is that I (a person who keeps tabs on almost all Broadway shows) only learned tonight via reviews that the show is: a musical comedy set in the 80s antics involving a cardboard factory featuring a himbo in a towel"

Huey Lewis hits were in the 80's so that means the age demographic for his music is 50 and above which is normally quite a bit of the Broadway audience at shows. The question remains is Huey Lewis a big enough star for people to want to pay money to see his music in a show. As much as I like him, he is not a legend like Neil Diamond or Cher who have had shows with the difference being their shows were about their life. You would think Huey Lewis music got a boost on Broadway with "Power Of Love"  being in "Back To The Future". It is sad the advertising is bad because the reviews are pretty good and the "word of mouth" on this board has been excellent. In this day and age, you would think a fun and old fashion rock and roll type show (think Rock of Ages) would have a decent run. Hope it has success.

 

[Mr.Liir]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 9:33am

Shucked didn't close because of ticket sales though... had it not ended prematurely, who knows what it would have done. I think it probably would have gone through the summer and closed right before Death Becomes Her transferred, and that probably would have gone to the Nederlander with Tommy at the Lunt as originally planned.

 

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 9:55am

I’m still amazed that Huey Lewis has that many songs. And whose arms do I need to go look for? 

[BSKY]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 9:55am

The buzz on this show is good, so hopefully marketing can get their act together.  I overheard someone in the lobby saying marketing was ramping up this week, so maybe that helps.  Who knows.  I think there's enough good reviews here to help (I hope), and I really enjoyed the show.   But on a personal note I'm actually pretty disappointed in the journalism of some of these articles.  A couple read more like troll blogs than a proper theater critique.  I mean, theaterly doesn't even have the lead character's name correct.  It's a bummer to see these shows get docked a negative or mixed review by rushed, shoddy journalism.  And that's not a defense of this show specifically, just something I've noticed across the board.  Whether I agree or not, the big outlets at least deliver a well-thought opinion, but some of the secondary "articles" this season (which seem to go towards a show's overall review success) feel sloppy and rushed, almost like a drunken facebook post than a paid critique.  Just me?  

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 10:34am

Zeppie2022 said:
"I have to admit I keep laughing at all of the comments about "those arms". My goodness, have you all never seen a pumped up guy before in your life. Obviously Corey Cott hits the gym, good for him. I get some of you were having fun with those comments but still it is really tacky IMO. Part of me also wonders the comments some of you would make if some guys made similar comments about a body part of a good looking woman. I have a feeling you would be calling that guy a sexist pig, just saying."
 

You'll have to excuse some of the juveniles on this board who have never had an encounter in life with a real man. The thirst is real...LMAO

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 10:35am

Re Marketing: I'd initially assumed this was a Huey Lewis bio-musical. Skimming the reviews now and I'm not sure what the "hook" is. The plot sounds vaguely like that of The Wedding Singer. (80's blue collar guy gets a corporate job he hates to impress a woman who's engaged to a yuppie.)

Updated On: 4/23/24 at 10:35 AM

[Feidlimid]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 11:18am

Will these help turn its fortunes around? Things still look pretty dire, and plenty of reviews don't really amount to much more than, 'hard to hate'. Not sure that will help them pull their numbers up, never mind ATP up. 

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 11:30am

Anyone know if they have switched out marketing at the theatre/through the city to utilize the pull quotes?

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 11:33am

MrsSallyAdams said: "Re Marketing: I'd initially assumed this was a Huey Lewis bio-musical. Skimming the reviews now and I'm not sure what the "hook" is. The plot sounds vaguely like that of The Wedding Singer. (80's blue collar guy gets a corporate job he hates to impress a woman who's engaged to a yuppie.)"

From book writer Jon Abrams’s interview below, the plot is a mashup combo of pretty much the John Hughes films of the 80s. It’s a wholesome family friendly show.

I loved the show but I think the title may be a misnomer for some folks. A friend told me they were better off calling it “power of love” or “giving it all up for love” or “do you believe in love” or “be someone” or something about dreams.

 

[MCfan2]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 1:22pm

It is a pretty terrible title. Almost sounds like a documentary or something like that. 

[SisterGeorge]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 2:02pm

In spite of the surprisingly not-bad reviews, for me to buy a pair of tickets this show still has to overcome (in order of importance):
*the skepticism I have for juke box musicals
*the fear I have for audiences at juke box musicals
*the nearly $500 I would have to spend for a pair of good orch seats for what sounds like popcorn entertainment, when I I've already spent a wad on  heavyweights like TOMMY, STEREOPHONIC, TITANIC, and ILLINOISE (not to mention Ben Platt, Aaron Tveit, and CATS)
*the far-from compelling title

I suspect I'm not the only one having to overcome these hurdles, so prognosis for this show maybe not so good.

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 2:21pm

MCfan2 said: "It is a pretty terrible title. Almost sounds like a documentary or something like that."

Agreed. I enjoyed the show like many people did.

however at least two of my friends thought this was a terribly bad show merely from the title. I don’t blame them as they re not frequent theatre goers. 

[Mr.Liir]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 3:17pm

You can go to TKTS, sit in the orchestra, and not pay $500.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 3:23pm

Mr.Liir said: "You can go to TKTS, sit in the orchestra, and not pay $500."

…but then they lose something to be obnoxiously self righteous about!

Updated On: 4/23/24 at 03:23 PM

[C4b2a3b]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 5:33pm

There are also 2nd row orchestra seats just in front of premium section for like 160 dollars for those who like the certainty of getting tickets in advance. I sat there, and it was great. Not just because of the clear view of the sauna scene.... 

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 6:02pm

BSKY said: "But on a personal note I'm actually pretty disappointed in the journalism of some of these articles. A couple readmore like troll blogs than a proper theater critique. I mean, theaterly doesn't even have the lead character's namecorrect. It's a bummer to see these shows get docked a negative or mixed review by rushed, shoddy journalism. And that's not a defense of this show specifically, just something I've noticed across the board. Whether I agree or not, the big outlets at least deliver a well-thought opinion, but some of the secondary"articles" this season (which seem to go towards a show's overall review success)feel sloppy and rushed, almost like a drunken facebook post than a paid critique. Just me?"

It's not just you as I've noticed it as well. Even though NYT review was mixed leaning positive, I felt it was too short and seemed rushed. As mentioned before, I wish it mentioned McKenzie's dream sequence in Act 2 or Tommy Bracco's (who resembled Richard Simmons) exercise class, etc. 

I understand there's literally 1-2 shows opening every single day for 10-12 consecutive days so every critic has a full plate.

I know for myself, I have read theater reviews from 60 years ago notably from 1957 as my friends and I wondered how in the world the Music Man beat West Side Story for Best Musical back then. 

Updated On: 4/23/24 at 06:02 PM

[theaterdude2]

Posted: 4/24/24 at 5:28pm

is the famous sauna scene stage left or right? which is best place to sit?!