I recently saw a production of this musical for the first time and I kind of felt like Spelling Bee took this concept and expanded upon it a lot funnier

I enjoyed this show and was grateful to finally see a full production of it. The tone is quite dark; you mentioned that it may not have really fit into the prevailing mood of the country, which was enjoying JFK's optimism at the time. I've always found it interesting that another musical with the exact storyline of "Wholesale" was running at the same time in the early 60s, and was a huge smash. "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" also featured the rise of a young, charismatic corporate climber who stepped on many people on his way to success. But the tone of "How to Succeed" was bright and airy, and with the buoyant Robert Morse in the lead, the show was a big success, winning 8 Tonys, a Grammy, and the Pulitzer Prize. "Wholesale," meanwhile, sank into semi-oblivion and is remembered today largely as the first appearance of Streisand on Broadway. Like you, I wish it was better known; dark themes and anti-heroes don't turn off audiences today as they did in 1962.

Thank you for your analysis.

It's only a one act right? Did it feel rushed at all?

As a critic I understand how one can always find something to improve whatever one is watching.I have seen Maggie 3 times and paid for tickets each time because I was totally blown away by how good it was.I found that the talent of the performers were as good as any Broadway shows that I have seen.The singing I found to be exceptional not one weak singer among the cast.I enjoyed it very much and my way of judging if the audience enjoyed it is to see their reactions during and at the end .All 3 shows that I saw the audiences stood up and gave enthusiastic ovations.Just my experience.

First and foremost, a huge nod to multi-racial casting, bravo!! So, the lead Actress who played, Daisy, wasn’t believable at all, or just totally miscast. It takes a a whole lot of observing, studying, and even the slightest movements, and speech to act like “old money.” My husband who will rarely said that, Daisy,(Eva) looked too awkward as a leading lady to Gatsby.

P E R F E C T L Y ❤ perfect

I’ve always thought the script for Steel Magnolias was too long. I think Harling could have excised a good half hour of extraneous dialogue and ended up with a much stronger play.

I like to imagine it as a drinking game, every time you stumble over a name, we all take a slug. I certainly wouldn't do any better if I were trying to pronounce them, by the way.

I am glad you really enjoyed the show as well. I only saw the NYCC production and enjoyed it but didn’t find it hilarious, which is okay. While I didn’t think the show needed to be transferred to Broadway, it’s great that many audience members are enjoying the show with a talented and professional cast and orchestra. :)

I agree that this show was hilarious. Brilliant cast. So glad I was able to see it.

Mary Martin was 45 when The Sound of Music opened. Seems old to play Maria, but she was a big star, as is Sutton Foster. Glad you really enjoyed the show!

Keep up the good work dude!

💯 x100. It's a play about Hope! In the midst of confusion and DEEP GRIEF, 7,000 people are given beds, food, phones and friendship. ❤❤❤❤❤/5 .

I recently wondered why I wasn't getting subscriber alerts and then this appeared in my feed. I wondered about this play and other reviews just didn't give me much of an impression. This review is indelible in my mind and a vivid accounting in my mind of your experience.

We saw it last night,. It was great. But i said the same this morning, skip the 1976 part. Did you see Sign of the Times in that theater? I loved it. And Rock and Roll Man the year before.

I thought "THE PROM" WAS about Emma & Alyssia. Yes, you do still have the narcissistic celebrities, but I loved "THE PROM" when I saw in Seattle. As long as I don't have to watch the film adaptation with Meryl Streep, I'm good.

I saw the show on Friday, and it lived up to the hype. Brill as the sad man under the blanket was a highlight, but it really was an ensemble effort. My only complaint as a regular theatergoer was spending Acts One and Two (of four) wondering where the story was headed. The sameness of dramatic action as characters were slowly fleshed out made me a bit impatient, but the last 20 minutes of the show brought it all home. To the show's great credit, the sameness I noted isn't a complaint about repetitiveness, there's enough variation to keep it fresh and (frankly, slowly) moving. The best sequences in the show were the (staged) moments of improvisation in the recording booth--they absolutely came across as natural and unrehearsed.

I picked up a rush ticket for the show over the weekend and was definitely underwhelmed. It seemed to be about half an hour too long due in large part to a boring book and score, something that the pretty impressive circus tricks can't make up for. It lacked cohesion despite the commitment of the performers. It's another of several shows I've seen in NYC recently that weren't ready yet. That dream sequence late in the second act should have been ditched in previews.

You are spot on. Thanks for writing a review as an educated audience member, not as a cheerleader or smart aleck!)

Several years ago, two great friends of mine played Mary & Bert in the stage version. I saw their production and had fun. That said, the stage version leaves me feeling sour and disenchanted, as does prickly Poppins author P.L. Travers herself. The "new" songs do not really fit well with the classic Sherman Brothers score. I disliked the re-arrangement of scenes and songs, etc. and felt Jane and Michael were just too bratty to be endearing or earn much sympathy in the stage version. Like yourself, I much prefer the original classic FILM with Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews.

Concerning The Prom, why are you reviewing a show you hate so much?

This is how I felt about the Prom. I also feel like the show focuses too much on the celebrity characters and not Emma and Alyssa. It was one of the biggest musical disappointments for me. Folks need to study shows like King of the Hill on how to write in-depth conservative characters tbh

I felt that way about New York, New York -- too many subplots and stories; while understandable you want to include pieces to form the overall story, if it takes away from the main point it's just a time waster. Glad I didn't take time out to see it when I was in NY last week; hopefully a more refined version gets a production elsewhere.

You should try to make a trip to Stockbridge, MA to see Rodgers & Hammerstein Pipe Dream!!

Thanks I am gonna pass on it

This is Mrs. Jim. We must have seen two completely different shows. I was there yesterday and it was delightful! The audience loved it! Go!!

Vultures of a classic

The problem with South Pacific is how only the American characters have epiphanies about race. The "natives" are never aware of their condition. Bloody Mary essentially peddles her own daughter to a G.I., and thinks nothing of it. This is the classic trope of R & H musicals. It's the same lopsided equation in The King and I. It's up to the West to educate the natives about morality.

I had the pleasure of seeing it in his last days, I really enjoyed it and I'm glad I found this channel thanks to him.

Thank you for posting this review. I hadn't heard about this 'musical' version until recently . . . the PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE in Millburn, NJ is mounting a production of it in next year's season. I'm a 'season subscriber,' so it's one of those shows I'll attend because I've already purchased my tickets, but your review is fair warning about what I may be walking into! I follow your reviews regularly, so I'm grateful for the insight. "Thanks again." .

I played Tully Mars in the Alabama premiere of this, and I agree with most of your critiques of the play itself. I’m certainly not a professional actor, this was community theatre and I had a blast doing it. When I found out it was written by Greg Garcia (my name is earl, raising hope) I definitely got more excited, and it made the cheesiness make more sense. I’d love to hear your thoughts if you happened to catch this in Mobile AL if you caught the show. Solid review. I love your attention to detail, and your speaking voice is awesome for this kind of content

The US armed forces were segregated until 1948. Did this production include "My Girl Back Home," as the recent Lincoln Center revival did? Now that would have been awkward!

Ive heard about this musical. Been hoping to see it. I like the movie

You mention: What would happen if an African-American actor were cast as Jud Fry, the nominal "villain" in "OKLAHOMA!"? Several years ago, 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, WA. did exactly that! Controversy followed. Nearly every critic began their review columns with: Jud is played by an African-American actor and Curly & Laurey were played by white actors, as if trying to stir something up. I refrained from that: merely commenting on the production itself and the performances. As I mentioned, the production was controversial. The production itself was so-so. The performances were mixed; not surprising, given some odd stylistic framework and bizarre directorial choices; not related to any actors' race or background. I wrote that they had transformed "OKLAHOMA!" into "Theatre of the Absurd."

Spot on!

I have always been a fan of R & H, and never felt any need to apologize for it. "SOUTH PACIFIC" was my introduction to musical theatre. I was instantly aware that music, song, and dance could be used to tell important, dramatic stories. The genius here is that the All-American characters Nellie and Cable, feeling a bit superior to the "island people" and more than a bit out of place on the South Pacific islands, are forced to confront their own ingrained prejudices. Nellie and Cable are racists, but they don't realize it (because prejudices are carefully taught from year to year) until they are forced to look deep inside themselves. R & H were asking audiences to do the same. While characters and situations in "OKLAHOMA!" and "CAROUSEL" are indeed problematic today, Anna in "THE KING AND I" and Maria in "THE SOUND OF MUSIC" are bold, extremely strong women. And Nellie, the hick racist from Arkansas in "SOUTH PACIFIC" has the most dramatic character arch in the R & H cannon. Cable is disgusted by his ingrained prejudices, but is killed and therefore denied redemption. We may not like Nellie at the end of Act I, but by the final curtain of Act II, Nellie knows that her carefully taught prejudices are wrong, and has found the courage to move and live her life beyond them. Remember, "SOUTH PACIFIC" premiered in 1949, and the story is set in 1942. By 2024, we all "know that prejudices are wrong." Oh, do we?? How many of us have the courage of Nellie to move and live beyond our carefully taught prejudices in 2024?

Great review. I like the classic shows too

Thank you for sharing this, I saw the show in Sydney last night and I was beyond frustrated with the complete lack of coherence. Female empowerment is great, but this whole two hours was entirely about empowering Juliet... and to do what? We heard about nothing but her for the entire show, then at the end, she's free to make her own decisions (as if she hadn't been free the whole time, running to Paris and all), but we have no idea what she is going to do! If she had an ambition, or passion, or even a lover she was withheld from, then 'Roar', might have been vaguely impactful. I wanted to like this show, but it was utter trash, I think you really pinned down the main reasons.

I saw it today [free tickets] I'm surprised you thought it was an error but that's ok. I'm also surprised you don't think comedy can be theatric. This wasn't my type of play but Lena was excellent. Saw Sandra a week ago and thought it was amazing. 2 shows in 2 weeks first since 2019. Thanks!

Just saw it. Having seen the ‘93 version as well, I’d have to say the new revival even surpasses the original. Great show. I think the “in the future” message is a metaphor for a cult of personality with its fascistic overtones (which Tommy rightfully rejects) as a circumstance never too far away. (Witness our current times).

"Modern perspective". Ugh, usually means it stinks.

16 out of 26. Not as good as last year, but better than many other years. The biggest shockers for me was The Outsiders winning best musical and director, especially after Shaina Taub took Best Book and Original Score. The other surprise was Kelli O’Hara not winning. Everyone I know who has seen both shows are stunned at the moment. Regardless, congratulations to all the winners and nominees no matter what my own opinion is, because after all, it’s only one man’s opinion.

Stereophonic and Merrily will be the big winners. I got my money on Hell's Kitchen for Musical.

Hi, Tim! Saw most of the nominated shows -- missed MOTHER PLAY as my performance was canceled due to illness. I agree that SUFFS will take Best Musical -- and deservedly so. HELL'S KITCHEN ran out of story in Act 2 -- hence the 2nd Act's prolonged, dramatically unnecessary, dance numbers. OUTSIDERS was so busy trying to be profound that it forgot to be entertaining and WATER FOR ELEPHANTS was so busy trying to be entertaining that it forgot to be good. Don't know why ILLINOISE is even in the Best Musical category instead of THE NOTEBOOK, which completely won me over. MERRILY will win best revival but TOMMY would get my vote. I'd also award TOMMY Best Lighting and Sound Design -- it was a non-stop visual fantasia for eyes and ears. The endlessly charming LESLIE ODOM was my fave male lead in a play -- comedy is so much harder to pull off than drama. STEREOPHONIC will win Best Set for a Musical -- MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG should win the Tony for Worst Set Design for Anything Ever. So disappointing visually. A very ugly and inarticulate set that had the on-stage orchestra appearing as if they were being held in solitary confinement. But aside from that, I felt is was a pretty good season. Thanks for your reviews. Cris

Jonathan Groff, Sarah Paulson and Maria Friedman will each win a Tony (no crystal ball required)

Hoping Suffs wins Best Musical. The whole ensemble was brilliant!! Wish more of them had been nominated , but featured actress was stacked. I also do not want a jukebox musical to win. Outsiders is a dark horse. I think Lindsay Mendez will win. She had the meatiest part and was the glue in the show. Chip Zien in Harmony was the biggest snub of the season, although I was surprised Great Gatsby was not nominated for set design.

I wish I could have seen Gutenberg one more time.

I can't believe they cancelled and the way it ended .They always cancel the good ones,queen of the south,reign,and the last kingdom,and leave stupid one on forever

Billy Wilder Died in 2002. If he were alive- Billy, Tony Curtis & Jack Lemon probably would not care at all for this adaptation. The opinon man (unnamed ?) - has a right to his opinion however - producers, directors and writers took a master work and although the music has some great moments, they should have stuck more to the original story line. Also their choice of Sugar (Marilyn Monroe) played by the very talented Adrianna Hicks was in my opinion, the wrong decision even though she's a great singer. Audiences have images in their head and when writers stray too far it takes away from Mr. Wilder's classic film. Gene Wilder publicy agreed on TV interviews regarding the remake of Willy Wonka, it saddened him deeply. On a postive note, I was glad their hit song 'Some Like IT Hot'& commercials drew audiences but the gross & attendance revenue reveals the impending result.With an average of about 80% attendance with a few peak weeks, the word of mouth left some real disappointment preventing those who might've gone to see this. My associates walked away disappointed and I guess that's why the show officially opened December 11th 2022 and closed December 30, 2023. Less than a year is suspect when a show wins 4 Tony Awards. Creators, producers & writers let their own egos & choices of a good 'idea' to a closing in less than a year. As far as those who posted positive reviews - That's why Baskin & Robbins has 31 flavors ! (or at least they used to) I felt sorry for the cast as I continually reviewed the grosses and attendance. The cast members gave it their all with the hand they were dealt. Best of luck to all of you - so much talent ! You should all be proud.