THE HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL Opening Night Critics’ Reviews- Page 4

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 4/24/24 at 5:54pm

Seems some new marketing is focusing on "A New Story Inspired By The Songs Of Huey Lewis & The News."

[BETTY22]

Posted: 4/24/24 at 7:04pm

theaterdude2 said: "is the famous sauna scene stage left or right? which is best place to sit?!"

Center stage - this director knows what he is doing....WINK 

 

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 4/24/24 at 7:23pm

BETTY22 said: "theaterdude2 said: "is the famous sauna scene stage left or right? which is best place to sit?!"

Center stage - this director knows what he is doing....WINK

"

Famous ? Nah. The best scene in the show. Yes ! 

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 4/24/24 at 10:11pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "The most damning thing about this show's abysmaladvertising 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 involvinga cardboard factory
• featuring a himbo in a towel

Of course, a person could learn that with just a few minutes of reading, but most potential buyers won't give them that sort of time.

The entire press and advertising campaign so far has been so earnest, with avuncular Huey Lewis as the show's mouthpiece."

Agreed. I saw the matinee today and absolutely loved it, but Lewis is the wrong focal point for the marketing campaign. That strategy didn't work for the Britney Spears jukebox musical, and Spears is considerably more popular than Lewis. 

This show is a musical comedy set in the 1980s, about two extremely likable, attractive people falling in love. This is for fans of The Wedding Singer more than anything. 

I also think for all the intentionally dumb jokes, the show has a lot of intelligent things to say about choosing a career in the arts vs. career security, making sacrifices for relationships, and how people can't have it all and need to make hard choices to be happy. 

But that doesn't matter from a marketing perspective. Corey Cott and McKenzie Kurtz should be front and center in joint interviews selling this as a 1980s romantic comedy. And for sure that should include an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show. 

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 10:34am

Jonathan Cohen said: "I also think for all the intentionally dumb jokes, the show has a lot of intelligent things to say about choosing a career in the arts vs. career security, making sacrifices for relationships, and how people can't have it all and need to make hard choices to be happy.

But that doesn't matter from a marketing perspective.Corey Cott and McKenzie Kurtz should be front and center in joint interviews selling this as a 1980s romantic comedy. And for sure that should include an appearance onThe Drew Barrymore Show."

I agree with what you said about how the show is more than just bubble wrap and sauna eye-candy. I kind of wish more critics wrote about that too. The scene when McKenzie learned her father took out a second mortgage really hit me for some reason. 

I love Drew Barrymore and I think she would enjoy this show too! I associate her more with 90s romcom but I still remember the scene in the movie 'Never Been Kissed' when she got hit by an egg before going to her 80s prom. Anyways I digress but I think going the romcom marketing route will reach another demographic/market for this show in addition to Huey fans.  

I know Tamika Lawrence was a guest at the Sherri Shepherd show the other day (see video below). 

 

[Ball of Buttah]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 3:13pm

Wow! That was awesome!! If it's still around in the Fall, I'd go see it. And I don't normally go to jukebox musicals. Tamika needs to go on The Tonight Show, too. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 3:18pm

Sitting at "Gatsby" yesterday, all I kept thinking was "I wish I were back at Heart of Rock and Roll".

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 4:55pm

I had no interest in seeing this show....but it seems to be emanating so much JOY, that its hard to not feel the pull!

 

Unless things turn around pretty quickly, it seems unlikely that I'll be able to catch it.

[Impeach2017]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 5:59pm

I get it, The Heart of Rock and Roll was one of his big songs, but perhaps a lot of people don't quite remember that, and it does seem like a crappy title for what sounds like a fun show.  

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 6:03pm

The title fits perfectly with the theme of the show. 

[theaterdude2]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 6:05pm

do you think 2nd row orch (either left center aisle facing stage or middle of the row to the right) is too close? there are also seats 5th row. Thoughts? 

WINK. 

Thank you. 

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 8:55pm

Ball of Buttah said: "Wow! That was awesome!! If it's still around in the Fall, I'd go see it. And I don't normally go to jukebox musicals. Tamika needs to go on The Tonight Show, too."

It's currently losing around $600k a week. It will not be around in the fall. It'll be lucky to make it to June tbh.

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 9:22pm

Jordan Catalano said: "The title fits perfectly with the theme of the show."

Yeah, The Power of Love, Stuck with You, Hip to Be Square, Jacob's Ladder, and Perfect World all charted higher, but The Heart of Rock and Roll fits the story the best. 

If the show had to be named after a Huey Lewis song, they landed on the best available choice. 

Updated On: 4/25/24 at 09:22 PM

[ohjustjake]

Posted: 4/26/24 at 11:43am

Saw this the other night and really had a blast. Taking a look at availability for tonight... like 75% is still unsold. I feel so bad for them!

Updated On: 4/26/24 at 11:43 AM

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 4/28/24 at 9:09am

"the skepticism I have for juke box musicals"

Pretty simple answer. Do you like the music of Huey Lewis? From the reviews on this board, you know it is not a bio-musical. Critic reviews have been darn good and so have the ones of people on BWW.

"the fear I have for audiences at juke box musicals"

This is not the type of show where people are going to do a sing along to song like "Sweet Caroline". The story is not about Huey Lewis so the audience will not treat it like a concert IMO. I may be wrong but others on this board who have seen the show have not complained about audience behavior.

*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)"

Then buy cheaper seats in the mezzanine or try for rush tickets.  I am sure this show is up on the TKTS board.

"the far-from compelling title"

The title works perfectly for the show's story and was song title of one of his hits. What do you think would be better? - lol

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

None of your points were big hurdles to me and probably many others on this board. By all appearances, the show seems like rollicking fun which is kind of nice in the world we live in today. I may be making a quick business trip to NYC in a couple of weeks. If I make the trip, I will buy ticket to this show.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/29/24 at 12:35pm

Their sales seem to be picking up, looking at availability. They also seem to have lowered their prices a bit which is very smart for a struggling show, and something I truly don’t understand why other shows in similar situations don’t do.  

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/29/24 at 2:05pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Their sales seem to be picking up, looking at availability. They also seem to have lowered their prices a bit which is very smart for a struggling show, and something I truly don’t understand why other shows in similar situations don’tdo."

Picking up, but just barely. Not enough if you consider the deep, deep hole they are in.

Closing notice tomorrow, 6 PM. 

[yyys]

Posted: 4/29/24 at 2:08pm

will May 5th be the last show?!

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/29/24 at 2:11pm

yyys said: "will May 5th be the last show?!"

Heard 5/12 for this and Lempicka.

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/29/24 at 2:12pm

I’m guessing they’re just waiting to see how many nominations (if any) they’ll get tomorrow. I saw they got 1 drama desk nomination.

I’m planning to see this show at least one more time. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/29/24 at 2:26pm

I've heard multiple conflicting dates mentioned by those "in the know" for both this and Lempicka (dates of announcement and dates of actual closing), so I'm choosing to believe none of the specifics –– only that money is close to gone and closing is imminent for both.

Updated On: 4/29/24 at 02:26 PM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/29/24 at 3:06pm

I also believe Rock and Roll's cast album release date will be revealed in conjunction with tomorrow's closing notice. 

[Mr.Liir]

Posted: 4/29/24 at 3:45pm

From who? The company has not been told this.

[BSKY]

Posted: 4/29/24 at 4:36pm

Mr.Liir said: "From who? The company has not been told this."


The rumors on this show are so funny.  Remember when it wasn’t even opening?  And then remember when it was DOA?  I’m pretty sure these recent rumors are just more bad gossip, but I guess we’ll see.  

I heard from someone they have enough money saved to carry them at least through the summer, should they need it.  So the fact is no one knows.  Tho to be fair, I do feel oddly invested in this one.  Maybe it’s bc I did really like it (I’ve seen it twice now on Broadway, once in San Diego, and hope to see it again) but more than that, I like that despite the hate it gets, it keeps proving everyone wrong.  I just think that’s really cool.  So I do really hope this is another bad rumor.

 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 4/29/24 at 4:42pm

There is not 'hate' for this show; only apparent lack of audience interest. The producers will likely want to keep it running as long as is contracted to grant them a percentage of future licensing rights, as the show could be popular on the regional / amateur circuit.