Broadway Watch - In My Life
Thu, 27 Oct 2005, 02:32 pmWalter Plinge1 post in thread
Broadway Watch - In My Life
Thu, 27 Oct 2005, 02:32 pmIn My Life
Music, Lyrics & Book by Joseph Brooks
Directed by Joseph Brooks
Opened 20th October 2005
Extracts from various reviewers:
“An open letter to Joseph Brooks, whose new musical In My Life just opened at the Music Box.
Dear Mr. Brooks:
Congratulations! You've achieved something that few people ever will: You've written an original musical that's opened on Broadway. That takes a lot of determination, courage, and fortitude.”
“What's even more remarkable is that, as with your movie, you've done it all yourself: producing; directing; writing the music, lyrics, and libretto… A writer can easily get trapped in his own little world, especially if he's directing his own work, and not realize what he's doing that's preventing his vision from being adequately communicated to the audience. In short, he needs someone to say "no" every once in a while.
“And, Mr. Brooks, as you have apparently not been so blessed during the creative process of In My Life, I'm going to do that for you now.
“No, you should not have attempted all this yourself… Know your limitations - don't be afraid to work with people who will challenge you, yell at you, and not let you have your way all the time. Your work will only benefit.”
“No, you shouldn't try to put everything you can imagine into your show…”
“No, a song in which Winston dances with a skeleton isn't a good idea. It will only elicit derisive laugher and shove your show even closer to complete camp. Once people see it, they'll have trouble taking seriously anything that comes afterwards. (The same is true of Winston's pirate opera parody.)”
“Finally: No, even if lemons factor vitally into your story, as they do here, they should never grace your marquee or Playbill cover. Thematically structuring your musical around citrus is a unique idea worthy of some respect; have some for yourself and don't give critics and snarkier audience members such an open invitation to tear you down. Your show is more lemonade than lemon, so focus on the sweet instead of the sour.”
“However, Mr. Brooks, as important as it is for you to be told "no," sometimes you also need to hear someone say "yes."
Yes, much of your score is attractive.”
“Yes, you picked a first-rate design team:”
“Yes, you cast your show well.”
“Most important, yes, you should have written this show. You'll take a lot of flak for it, but despite your miscalculations, you've given us a one-of-a-kind musical comedy we'll always remember and talk about… Thanks for not giving us another cold-blooded, committee-crafted crowd pleaser like Wicked, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, or Spamalot. “
“I must be honest with you, though: I doubt In My Life will find the success those shows have. But whatever happens, you've likely written the weirdest Broadway musical that most people will ever see. Not the worst, mind you, or even the worst this season - Lennon and The Blonde in the Thunderbird have lowered that bar farther than you could ever reach. But you still have a lot to learn, though please, don't lose your passion or individuality. We're in desperate need of them right now.
Regardless, welcome to Broadway, Mr. Brooks, and feel free to come back again. But do us - and yourself - a favor: Don't return alone.”
Talkin’ Broadway – Matthew Murray
[I quite liked the tone of that review, ]
“Some people insist there are certain subjects that shouldn't be turned into musicals, but I disagree. I think it's completely within the realm of possibility that a stunning tuner could be created about a protagonist with Tourette's Syndrome who meets a young Village Voice employee who may be suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and successfully dates her despite his occasional obscene outbursts and sudden tremors.”
“But it would take a genius to turn this clutch of plot points into something magnificent, and Joseph Brooks… isn't the guy.”
“As the lovers… young and pretty leads Christopher J. Hanke and Jessica Boevers, emote without ever letting on what they must really be thinking… they deserve Purple Hearts for service above and beyond the call of duty.
“But all of this is pretty much for naught, since Joe Brooks' work hits a Perfect 10 on the awfulness scale… Unfunny? Unmoving? You'd better believe it.”
Theater Mania – David Finkle
“It's hard to describe Joe Brooks' In My Life, except to say that it is undoubtedly the most bizarre, misguided Broadway musical of the millennium.”
“A director with some objectivity might have excised songs and scenes that didn't work, but Brooks decided to stage the ambitious show himself. At least he let Allen Moyer design the sets, which are one of the production's few bright spots. The towering rows of illuminated file cabinets are impressive, even if they don't particularly indicate heaven.”
“For the big finale, Moyer provides a final image: a giant lemon. Early in the story, we learn that J.T. says "lemon" whenever he's happy. Still, it's hard not to see the fruity backdrop as a metaphor for Brooks' extremely odd musical, which most definitely is a lemon.”
Broadway.Com – William Stevenson
Next Broadway Musical opening – Sweeney Todd – 3rd November
Music, Lyrics & Book by Joseph Brooks
Directed by Joseph Brooks
Opened 20th October 2005
Extracts from various reviewers:
“An open letter to Joseph Brooks, whose new musical In My Life just opened at the Music Box.
Dear Mr. Brooks:
Congratulations! You've achieved something that few people ever will: You've written an original musical that's opened on Broadway. That takes a lot of determination, courage, and fortitude.”
“What's even more remarkable is that, as with your movie, you've done it all yourself: producing; directing; writing the music, lyrics, and libretto… A writer can easily get trapped in his own little world, especially if he's directing his own work, and not realize what he's doing that's preventing his vision from being adequately communicated to the audience. In short, he needs someone to say "no" every once in a while.
“And, Mr. Brooks, as you have apparently not been so blessed during the creative process of In My Life, I'm going to do that for you now.
“No, you should not have attempted all this yourself… Know your limitations - don't be afraid to work with people who will challenge you, yell at you, and not let you have your way all the time. Your work will only benefit.”
“No, you shouldn't try to put everything you can imagine into your show…”
“No, a song in which Winston dances with a skeleton isn't a good idea. It will only elicit derisive laugher and shove your show even closer to complete camp. Once people see it, they'll have trouble taking seriously anything that comes afterwards. (The same is true of Winston's pirate opera parody.)”
“Finally: No, even if lemons factor vitally into your story, as they do here, they should never grace your marquee or Playbill cover. Thematically structuring your musical around citrus is a unique idea worthy of some respect; have some for yourself and don't give critics and snarkier audience members such an open invitation to tear you down. Your show is more lemonade than lemon, so focus on the sweet instead of the sour.”
“However, Mr. Brooks, as important as it is for you to be told "no," sometimes you also need to hear someone say "yes."
Yes, much of your score is attractive.”
“Yes, you picked a first-rate design team:”
“Yes, you cast your show well.”
“Most important, yes, you should have written this show. You'll take a lot of flak for it, but despite your miscalculations, you've given us a one-of-a-kind musical comedy we'll always remember and talk about… Thanks for not giving us another cold-blooded, committee-crafted crowd pleaser like Wicked, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, or Spamalot. “
“I must be honest with you, though: I doubt In My Life will find the success those shows have. But whatever happens, you've likely written the weirdest Broadway musical that most people will ever see. Not the worst, mind you, or even the worst this season - Lennon and The Blonde in the Thunderbird have lowered that bar farther than you could ever reach. But you still have a lot to learn, though please, don't lose your passion or individuality. We're in desperate need of them right now.
Regardless, welcome to Broadway, Mr. Brooks, and feel free to come back again. But do us - and yourself - a favor: Don't return alone.”
Talkin’ Broadway – Matthew Murray
[I quite liked the tone of that review, ]
“Some people insist there are certain subjects that shouldn't be turned into musicals, but I disagree. I think it's completely within the realm of possibility that a stunning tuner could be created about a protagonist with Tourette's Syndrome who meets a young Village Voice employee who may be suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and successfully dates her despite his occasional obscene outbursts and sudden tremors.”
“But it would take a genius to turn this clutch of plot points into something magnificent, and Joseph Brooks… isn't the guy.”
“As the lovers… young and pretty leads Christopher J. Hanke and Jessica Boevers, emote without ever letting on what they must really be thinking… they deserve Purple Hearts for service above and beyond the call of duty.
“But all of this is pretty much for naught, since Joe Brooks' work hits a Perfect 10 on the awfulness scale… Unfunny? Unmoving? You'd better believe it.”
Theater Mania – David Finkle
“It's hard to describe Joe Brooks' In My Life, except to say that it is undoubtedly the most bizarre, misguided Broadway musical of the millennium.”
“A director with some objectivity might have excised songs and scenes that didn't work, but Brooks decided to stage the ambitious show himself. At least he let Allen Moyer design the sets, which are one of the production's few bright spots. The towering rows of illuminated file cabinets are impressive, even if they don't particularly indicate heaven.”
“For the big finale, Moyer provides a final image: a giant lemon. Early in the story, we learn that J.T. says "lemon" whenever he's happy. Still, it's hard not to see the fruity backdrop as a metaphor for Brooks' extremely odd musical, which most definitely is a lemon.”
Broadway.Com – William Stevenson
Next Broadway Musical opening – Sweeney Todd – 3rd November
Walter PlingeThu, 27 Oct 2005, 02:32 pm
In My Life
Music, Lyrics & Book by Joseph Brooks
Directed by Joseph Brooks
Opened 20th October 2005
Extracts from various reviewers:
“An open letter to Joseph Brooks, whose new musical In My Life just opened at the Music Box.
Dear Mr. Brooks:
Congratulations! You've achieved something that few people ever will: You've written an original musical that's opened on Broadway. That takes a lot of determination, courage, and fortitude.”
“What's even more remarkable is that, as with your movie, you've done it all yourself: producing; directing; writing the music, lyrics, and libretto… A writer can easily get trapped in his own little world, especially if he's directing his own work, and not realize what he's doing that's preventing his vision from being adequately communicated to the audience. In short, he needs someone to say "no" every once in a while.
“And, Mr. Brooks, as you have apparently not been so blessed during the creative process of In My Life, I'm going to do that for you now.
“No, you should not have attempted all this yourself… Know your limitations - don't be afraid to work with people who will challenge you, yell at you, and not let you have your way all the time. Your work will only benefit.”
“No, you shouldn't try to put everything you can imagine into your show…”
“No, a song in which Winston dances with a skeleton isn't a good idea. It will only elicit derisive laugher and shove your show even closer to complete camp. Once people see it, they'll have trouble taking seriously anything that comes afterwards. (The same is true of Winston's pirate opera parody.)”
“Finally: No, even if lemons factor vitally into your story, as they do here, they should never grace your marquee or Playbill cover. Thematically structuring your musical around citrus is a unique idea worthy of some respect; have some for yourself and don't give critics and snarkier audience members such an open invitation to tear you down. Your show is more lemonade than lemon, so focus on the sweet instead of the sour.”
“However, Mr. Brooks, as important as it is for you to be told "no," sometimes you also need to hear someone say "yes."
Yes, much of your score is attractive.”
“Yes, you picked a first-rate design team:”
“Yes, you cast your show well.”
“Most important, yes, you should have written this show. You'll take a lot of flak for it, but despite your miscalculations, you've given us a one-of-a-kind musical comedy we'll always remember and talk about… Thanks for not giving us another cold-blooded, committee-crafted crowd pleaser like Wicked, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, or Spamalot. “
“I must be honest with you, though: I doubt In My Life will find the success those shows have. But whatever happens, you've likely written the weirdest Broadway musical that most people will ever see. Not the worst, mind you, or even the worst this season - Lennon and The Blonde in the Thunderbird have lowered that bar farther than you could ever reach. But you still have a lot to learn, though please, don't lose your passion or individuality. We're in desperate need of them right now.
Regardless, welcome to Broadway, Mr. Brooks, and feel free to come back again. But do us - and yourself - a favor: Don't return alone.”
Talkin’ Broadway – Matthew Murray
[I quite liked the tone of that review, ]
“Some people insist there are certain subjects that shouldn't be turned into musicals, but I disagree. I think it's completely within the realm of possibility that a stunning tuner could be created about a protagonist with Tourette's Syndrome who meets a young Village Voice employee who may be suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and successfully dates her despite his occasional obscene outbursts and sudden tremors.”
“But it would take a genius to turn this clutch of plot points into something magnificent, and Joseph Brooks… isn't the guy.”
“As the lovers… young and pretty leads Christopher J. Hanke and Jessica Boevers, emote without ever letting on what they must really be thinking… they deserve Purple Hearts for service above and beyond the call of duty.
“But all of this is pretty much for naught, since Joe Brooks' work hits a Perfect 10 on the awfulness scale… Unfunny? Unmoving? You'd better believe it.”
Theater Mania – David Finkle
“It's hard to describe Joe Brooks' In My Life, except to say that it is undoubtedly the most bizarre, misguided Broadway musical of the millennium.”
“A director with some objectivity might have excised songs and scenes that didn't work, but Brooks decided to stage the ambitious show himself. At least he let Allen Moyer design the sets, which are one of the production's few bright spots. The towering rows of illuminated file cabinets are impressive, even if they don't particularly indicate heaven.”
“For the big finale, Moyer provides a final image: a giant lemon. Early in the story, we learn that J.T. says "lemon" whenever he's happy. Still, it's hard not to see the fruity backdrop as a metaphor for Brooks' extremely odd musical, which most definitely is a lemon.”
Broadway.Com – William Stevenson
Next Broadway Musical opening – Sweeney Todd – 3rd November
Music, Lyrics & Book by Joseph Brooks
Directed by Joseph Brooks
Opened 20th October 2005
Extracts from various reviewers:
“An open letter to Joseph Brooks, whose new musical In My Life just opened at the Music Box.
Dear Mr. Brooks:
Congratulations! You've achieved something that few people ever will: You've written an original musical that's opened on Broadway. That takes a lot of determination, courage, and fortitude.”
“What's even more remarkable is that, as with your movie, you've done it all yourself: producing; directing; writing the music, lyrics, and libretto… A writer can easily get trapped in his own little world, especially if he's directing his own work, and not realize what he's doing that's preventing his vision from being adequately communicated to the audience. In short, he needs someone to say "no" every once in a while.
“And, Mr. Brooks, as you have apparently not been so blessed during the creative process of In My Life, I'm going to do that for you now.
“No, you should not have attempted all this yourself… Know your limitations - don't be afraid to work with people who will challenge you, yell at you, and not let you have your way all the time. Your work will only benefit.”
“No, you shouldn't try to put everything you can imagine into your show…”
“No, a song in which Winston dances with a skeleton isn't a good idea. It will only elicit derisive laugher and shove your show even closer to complete camp. Once people see it, they'll have trouble taking seriously anything that comes afterwards. (The same is true of Winston's pirate opera parody.)”
“Finally: No, even if lemons factor vitally into your story, as they do here, they should never grace your marquee or Playbill cover. Thematically structuring your musical around citrus is a unique idea worthy of some respect; have some for yourself and don't give critics and snarkier audience members such an open invitation to tear you down. Your show is more lemonade than lemon, so focus on the sweet instead of the sour.”
“However, Mr. Brooks, as important as it is for you to be told "no," sometimes you also need to hear someone say "yes."
Yes, much of your score is attractive.”
“Yes, you picked a first-rate design team:”
“Yes, you cast your show well.”
“Most important, yes, you should have written this show. You'll take a lot of flak for it, but despite your miscalculations, you've given us a one-of-a-kind musical comedy we'll always remember and talk about… Thanks for not giving us another cold-blooded, committee-crafted crowd pleaser like Wicked, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, or Spamalot. “
“I must be honest with you, though: I doubt In My Life will find the success those shows have. But whatever happens, you've likely written the weirdest Broadway musical that most people will ever see. Not the worst, mind you, or even the worst this season - Lennon and The Blonde in the Thunderbird have lowered that bar farther than you could ever reach. But you still have a lot to learn, though please, don't lose your passion or individuality. We're in desperate need of them right now.
Regardless, welcome to Broadway, Mr. Brooks, and feel free to come back again. But do us - and yourself - a favor: Don't return alone.”
Talkin’ Broadway – Matthew Murray
[I quite liked the tone of that review, ]
“Some people insist there are certain subjects that shouldn't be turned into musicals, but I disagree. I think it's completely within the realm of possibility that a stunning tuner could be created about a protagonist with Tourette's Syndrome who meets a young Village Voice employee who may be suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and successfully dates her despite his occasional obscene outbursts and sudden tremors.”
“But it would take a genius to turn this clutch of plot points into something magnificent, and Joseph Brooks… isn't the guy.”
“As the lovers… young and pretty leads Christopher J. Hanke and Jessica Boevers, emote without ever letting on what they must really be thinking… they deserve Purple Hearts for service above and beyond the call of duty.
“But all of this is pretty much for naught, since Joe Brooks' work hits a Perfect 10 on the awfulness scale… Unfunny? Unmoving? You'd better believe it.”
Theater Mania – David Finkle
“It's hard to describe Joe Brooks' In My Life, except to say that it is undoubtedly the most bizarre, misguided Broadway musical of the millennium.”
“A director with some objectivity might have excised songs and scenes that didn't work, but Brooks decided to stage the ambitious show himself. At least he let Allen Moyer design the sets, which are one of the production's few bright spots. The towering rows of illuminated file cabinets are impressive, even if they don't particularly indicate heaven.”
“For the big finale, Moyer provides a final image: a giant lemon. Early in the story, we learn that J.T. says "lemon" whenever he's happy. Still, it's hard not to see the fruity backdrop as a metaphor for Brooks' extremely odd musical, which most definitely is a lemon.”
Broadway.Com – William Stevenson
Next Broadway Musical opening – Sweeney Todd – 3rd November