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Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson Reviews
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I Fight Authority, Authority Always Wins Review by: AMetz, Apr 18, 2011 |
My wife and I attended a performance of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson in December, a few weeks before it closed. Looking to review the musical, I was disappointed to see it had closed. My wife and I have attended touring companies regularly in Columbus, which means we usually only get to see the biggest of the big shows (the classics and the biggest latest thing) so it was great to be able to watch a show on Broadway that wasn't ... read more as "mainstream."
The lead performer, Benjamin Walker, certainly lived up to the hype that we read about before attending the show. The music was loud, appropriate (what else would be expected of an irreverent treatment of history, but punk?), and entertaining. The story was provocative and incredibly relevant. The staging and ambiance of the Jacobs theater was a great addition to a really nice experience.
In Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson, colonial history meets punk music while addressing an age old ideological quandry: is humanity best served by an absolute democracy? It's Jeffersonian elitism versus Jacksonian populism played out on stage. There could hardly be a more relevant topic for today considering contemporary political landscape.
The musical chronicles Andrew Jackson's rise to power in combating the erudite and elite bourgeoisie (hilariously represented by an extremely effeminate John Quincy Adams and others in his cabinet) by listening to the common people. Jackson's rise ends in the White House, but also ends with the paradox of becoming part of the establishment. Jackson is confronted by becoming the very thing he has fought against.
For me, while the musical offers obvious relevance to political discussions, the beauty of this musical is found in its relevance beyond politics. As human beings, we all have a desire to feel wanted, included, and know that our opinion and perspective matters. This dilemma plays itself out every day in our society in organizations, churches, and the government. Is education really of no value? Are we all on an equal playing field when it comes to important decisions that affect us?
I hope somehow this musical will be revived as it encourages the audience to delve a little deeper than many productions and ask penetrating questions regarding important things. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Move this show to another venue Review by: Love BBAJ, Jan 2, 2011 |
DON'T CLOSE this SHOW!!! Move it back to the Public or someplace like New World Stages.
Ben Walker, you are amazing, funny, comedic and so talented and ditto for the rest of the cast.
We saw it 3x's and my teen feels she learned more about AJ from watching this show than she's done in high school and actually paid attention.
It's unfortunate that the general public/tourists doesn't appreciate the format/genre of this type of show. ... read more It's not Mamma Mia or Wicked's format for sure but rather something revolutionary.
BBAJ is just a magical experience of theater! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 3 |
So Glad I Went..... Review by: GBrasco, Dec 23, 2010 |
| I read the reviews for this show and they were all over the place: from great to garbage.....That alone made me want to see the show....It was wonderful....School House Rock meets Comedy Central....great acting, singing, and writing....glad I went. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Adults
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| 4 |
An artistic and historical triumph that rocks to an Emo beat Review by: quizking101, Dec 19, 2010 |
This was my Broadway dream come true. It's intelligent and educational, but also sophomoric and designed for today's teenager. It was an all around riot and I actually learned more about Andrew Jackson in those 90 minutes than in my history class last year. Benjamin Walker is commanding in every single way, portraying Jackson as comical, but also with alot of emotional depth (*SPOILER* This is especially noticeable when you see his handling of ... read more his adopted Indian son, who walks in on his meeting with Black Fox regarding Indian Removal). If Walker doesn't get a Tony, it will be a damn shame. Special recognition for Kristine Nielsen (a.k.a the Storyteller) for oft providing comic relief and commentary, as well as her hilarious exchanges with Jackson. The music was unforgettable and enjoyable, and you will leave tempting to hum and sing the profane lyrics you've heard. The set was amazing, and it's not what is on stage, but the entire theatre is committed to the emo theme. This is commitment and deserves a Tony for Scenic Design. I highly recommend you see this show before it closes on January 2, 2010. I went for the matinee and nearly everyone came out at the stage door, but not everybody signed. Benjamin Walker signed (and he was such a sweetheart <3) as well as 8 others.
I rate this show a perfect 10/10 with the extreme urging that you see it before it's gone.
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must see!
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| 5 |
This show should not close!!!!! Review by: Don't close this show!!!!, Dec 19, 2010 |
We saw BB AJ for the 2nd time this evening and the show was even better this time. The cast was totally on fire and played it so deadpan, it was hilarious and brillant.
This show should not close or at least, please move back to the public theater.
Ben Walker, you are fabulous and so darn adorable, thanks for signing my teens program and posing for pix.
The rest of the cast, you are so incredible and just made this theatrical ... read more experience a total joy mixed with the ridiculous.
Go see this show before it closes if your like clever, snarky and fun theater! |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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| 6 |
Amateurish from beginning to end Review by: onthemove, Dec 12, 2010 |
| I really thought I would see a clever, irreverent show. Instead I saw a musical not quite ready for a college stage, never mind Broadway. I can't imagine how many people would be left in the audience had there been an intermission. What a waste of their talent & my money. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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Funny, jarring, LOUD Review by: DoctorJoeE, Dec 12, 2010 |
Well, this is not a show for little kids, that's for sure. It's raucous, funny, profane, and LOUD. It feels almost like somebody's college show, that some promoter saw and decided might fly as a professional production if only somebody hired real actors and musicians.
In essence, it is a political statement, a flyover in modern setting and dialog of our seventh president's controversial career, with eerie and obviously ... read more deliberate parallels to present-day xenophobic paranoid Tea Party laments about our threatened borders and foreign menaces. And it's a summary of the ongoing historical debate: Was Andrew Jackson an uber-patriot and national hero, or a genocidal maniac -- the American Hitler? There is no doubt on which side this production's creators come down.
The music is lively, but not particularly inspired or distinctive -- most of the numbers sound pretty much alike, and like Green Day rejects. (Benjamin Walker even looks a bit like Billie Joe Armstrong.)
The show doesn't make its case particularly well -- but as a musical, it's reasonably entertaining, and I would still recommend it. But if you want to see it, you'll have to hurry, because it closes in early January. |
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| 8 |
I slept through most of it! Review by: kristen, Dec 5, 2010 |
| I slept through most of it! |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 9 |
This show is AMAZING! Review by: kristopher, Nov 30, 2010 |
This show is AMAZING! I really have no idea what the other reviewers are talking about. This is NOT your traditional song and dance musical of the 50's. It is the future of musical theatre.
It is irreverent and timely. The music is catchy and you will find yourself humming the tunes as you leave the theater...something that doesn't happen all that often these days. It's also interesting to see how the political process & politics itself are ... read more exactly the same as almost 200 years ago.
Go in with an open mind & I guarentee you will enjoy yourself. Also, expect to see Ben Walker at least nominated for a Tony, if not the winner! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 10 |
I can't recommend this show. Review by: homeimp, Nov 25, 2010 |
| This was such a disappointing show. There may be an intelligent piece of theater to be made from the political career of Andrew Jackson. This is not that show. Sophomoric from beginning to end. I would hope and high school drama department could come up with something better. Music is negligeable, comedy is awkward and offensive, drama is non-existent. Too bad. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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Gratuitous profanity and amateurish acting make for an overrated show. Review by: Mr. H, Oct 30, 2010 |
| Save your money and go see another show that will be entertaining. This show has no place on the Broadway stage. It is filled with gratuitous cursing , very snarky and childlike humor and a tasteless treatment of the handicapped and gays. Although the production casts commentary on the current political scene, it does so in a very offending manner. I guess this show is simply a reflection of the rudeness and lack of decorum that permeates our ... read more society. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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Brilliant, but not for everyone ! Review by: Inna, Oct 24, 2010 |
I went with my husband and my 24-yr-old daughter. I thought the show was brilliant, my daughter liked it, but my husband hated it and thought it was the worst Broadway show he's ever seen. So, it's definitely not for everyone. If cursing and irreverent approach to American history bother you, save your money and don't go.
To me, it was funny, deep, at times touching, and the parallels with the current election season were uncanny. Truly, ... read more it's something that makes you think, but also makes you laugh. The actors were superb, especially Benjamin Walker. Music is only so-so, but the band is excellent. Sets and lighting design are outstanding. I would highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates that kind of humor. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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It's like Spring Awakening Meets 1776! Review by: tophat143, Oct 16, 2010 |
| Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson is a bawdy, raucous, often hilarious emo rock driven musical about our 7th US president. This 90 minute intermission-less musical covered Andrew Jackson's life from the time he was a child to his death with such vigor and aplomb though sprinkled with modern dialogue and laced with profanities to get laughs. I didn't know a whole lot about the life of Andrew Jackson except for his being the first ... read more Democrat president and how he was instrumental in pushing (and killing) American Indians out and into reservations. The charismatic and powerful(and sexy-in tight shirt and tight jeans) Benjamin Walker tackles the role with such innocence and anger when need be without being over the top. (Though in some instances, he and the supporting actors do ham it up a bit, but it's a minor quibble). It's not your typical Broadway musical, but nonetheless, it is exciting and breathes new life to the Broadway stage. Think Spring Awakening meets 1776. You may get lost in translation about Jackson's life in 90 minutes(you may have to read up about him), but it still manages to convey the important aspects of Andrew Jackson's rise to the presidency. The songs are catchy and the actors sung them expertly. The sets and lighting designs are tremendous from hanging crimson lights to taxidermy to portraits of dead president and a hanging dead horse. The theater even has an arcade game about hunting! |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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Bloody Bloody Offensive Review by: Brenda, Oct 16, 2010 |
I had actually rehearsed my opening sentence for this Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson review. I was going to say something self deprecating about how long it's taken me to see this
highly acclaimed and wildly popular musical. I was prepared to offer the feeble excuse that I don't enjoy the Public Theater (as a venue.)
But it all seems rather moot now.
I am loathe to really unleash the negativity, I am tempted to ... read more merely point out that I am writing this at 3:00 PM and curtain was at 2:00 PM.
For all I know, the last fifteen minutes make up for the offensive, sophomoric first 60 minutes. I would like to say that I am more offended by the all white cast (and band) making fun of the Spanish, Indians, Gays and Handicapped than I am about having spent $70 for my ticket! Unfortunately, I am just not that evolved. I am furious and wish I knew how and to whom I should demand a refund.
I know how risky voicing my outrage is. If the audience this afternoon is any indication, people LOVE this show. My apologies for my offense if you loved this show.
If you take away the lights, sound design and set, there is nothing but a fraternity review, or at best, children's theatre with curse words.
I wish I could say that the singing made up for it. I can't. I wish I could say that the movement or dance might save the day. It won't, there was none.
How can this happen?! Is this the result of the culture wars? When did my side loose so badly? How does the Public (of all place) produce such a thing? How does it move to Broadway? How does it pass for quality theatre?
Look, I like vulgarity as much as the next girl, but cursing in and of itself is just not funny (to anyone over 12.) Making fun of homosexuals? Really? Using a wheelchair to illicit laughs? Seriously? Making a joke about Susan Sontag's death from cancer? I'm outta here.
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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What do you say when you can't find anything good to say? Review by: homeimp, Oct 10, 2010 |
| I bought a ticket for this show based on reviews. Not always the way to go. The music was negligeable (less than 30 minutes on the CD), the drama non-existent, the humor unfunny, the performances over the top. There may be an interesting piece of theater to be culled from Andrew Jackson't career. This isn't it. I am very disappointed at the sophomoric level of the humor in this Bdwy show. I can honestly say this is the first time I sat on my ... read more hands during the curtain call and didn't clap. The 4 people directly across the aisle from me were similarly unmoved. Don't go. There are far better shows to see on and off-Broadway. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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