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Chaplin: The Musical Reviews
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| 31 |
Chaplin is GOOD! Review by: jef, Sep 11, 2012 |
I now try to see the new plays in previews. The reason for this is to see them before the critics close them down. The latest bloodbath is Chaplin. I saw it about two week ago and thought it good but in need of a adjustment here and there. The lead was amazing.
The play opened last night to poor reviews. I can only hope it does not meet the fate of Bonnie and Clyde and A Tale of Two Cities but I have seen it and enjoyed it. It if can I ... read more will see it again.
Please note I am a major theater person attending 6-7 times a year.
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Alone
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Anyone
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Rob McClure is terrific Review by: Legs, Sep 10, 2012 |
| The show is thoughtfully constructed, providing not only a history of Chaplin's life, but an insightful biography that tells us who he was as a performer, a husband, a brother, a friend. Rob McClure is wonderful. He has the look, the voice, everything to make this musical well worth the ticket price. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Business Associate
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| 33 |
A MUST SEE Review by: RICHARD, Sep 10, 2012 |
I SEE ALMOST EVERYTHING THAT COMES OUT AND I MUST SAY THAT THIS SHOW TAKES THE PRIZE......AWESTRUCK IS ALL I CAN SAY.
I RUSHED HOME AND BOUGH ANOTHER SET OF TICKETS FOR DECEMBER.
DO NOT MISS THIS ONE OR YOU WILL BE SORRY!
SOPHISTICATED AND ORIGINAL.....JUST WHAT BROADWAY SHOULD BE! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Large Group
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Recommended for:
Tourists, Adults
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| 34 |
The Tramp is Alive Review by: S. Francois, Sep 10, 2012 |
| My husband and I attended the matinee performance on September 8th. This is by far one of the best new original musicals we have seen all year. The cast, costumes, music and dance numbers are fantastic and the story of Chaplin’s life itself is very moving. This is what Broadway is all about. Rob McClure is brilliant in this role as he brings Chaplin and the Tramp to life. Although most people don’t know who Rob McClure is, they will soon. ... read more We got a chance to speak with him after the performance and he is just as charming in person as he is on the stage. We wish Rob and the entire talented cast the best of luck and a good long run. Definitely a must see! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Seniors, Tourists, Adults
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| 35 |
Review by: gina, Sep 9, 2012 |
Saw the Sept. 8th evening show, and all I can say is "WOW!"
Everything about this musical is top-notch. The theater was completely full, and the cast received an extended standing ovation. Rob McClure is a genius...like Chaplin himself, destined for greatness. He truly deserves to be recognized for his excellence in this part. The ensemble adds so much to this production! Everyone involved seems to be in it for the long run....please ... read more go to Barrymore to ensure that this happens and that YOU don't miss out on a fabulous B'way experience! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 36 |
Review by: Carol, Sep 7, 2012 |
The 2012-13 theatre season opened with smashing fare in Chaplin. The bio-play is notable not only for the brilliant performance of its lead Rob McClure as Charlie Chaplin but also for the wonderful costuming, make-up, videos, special effects, and choreography. This new musical will have you running to see Chaplin’s silent films to see the classic technique of mime and physical comedy.
Young theatre patrons will get a quick history ... read more lesson into the life of a classic film maker and actor who was undone in America by the McCarthy era witch hunts. While the play has no blockbuster stars with household names, the major actors all have stage experience, and it shows. If you want to see a play this season, this is it. I am certain some dyspeptic critic from the Times will find fault with some picayune bit, but I could not find one. The play is pure entertainment, and McClure’s performance alone is worth the price of the ticket. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 37 |
Original, fresh and highly entertaining Review by: gngal, Sep 5, 2012 |
We certainly enjoyed Chaplin at the 9/4/12 performance. High marks for Chaplin all around on staging, acting and singing. The story was fine although some of the transitions between various phases of Chaplin's life were awkward (eg. trying to cover the last 20 years of his life in just a few minutes of dialogue). Some dialogue got a bit too maudlin and sentimental for my taste but it's not a big deal.
Rob McClure was fantastic. He ... read more gave a truly remarkable performance plus he's got a great singing voice.
Go see Chaplin and enjoy a show that's certain to entertain everyone in the family.
Hint - It would help to read up on Chaplin's bio before you go so that you can understand his star power as well as his troubled personal life. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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Family
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| 38 |
Truly a must-see Show! Review by: Lisa, Sep 4, 2012 |
Chaplin is such a wonderful broadway show!
Loved the way the story of Chaplin's life was told and brought to life on stage.
The stage design is breathtaking, the dancing and singing are touching. The story of Chaplin's life from when he was a child was interesting and unconventional.
Charming show, truly spectacular! Run to see it! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Rob McClure is Chaplin reincarnated Review by: knitmamma, Sep 3, 2012 |
| Saw the 3 p.m. 9/2/12 show. Rob McClure was utterly brilliant. He WAS Charlie Chaplin, from head to toe - and finger tip to finger tip. I could have watched him portray Charlie all day. I thought the first act was perfect - but that he second act limped a bit. Hope it can be tightened up quite a bit. Again - the acting, singing, dancing, and Tramping were superb. McClure is a genius in his own right. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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Run Don't Walk Review by: argus, Sep 2, 2012 |
| What a terrific treat- A sure hit- So entertaining in all aspects. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Family
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Chaplin. Saved in the end. Review by: pete, Sep 2, 2012 |
Saw the show on 9/01/12. The second act was well constructed, tight, playing out the evolving dynamics of the Chaplin story beAutifully and with great theatrical impact. The second act saved the show and at the curtain received a standing ovation from the audience
The first act needs work. Some of the musical numbers seemed to be "throw ins" without real reference to the story line themes taking place in the moment. There we too many ... read more repeated refenences to young Charlie's loss of mother. One or two references would have been enough in the first act for the audience to "get it". The first act needs punching up. All in all I enjoyed the performance but I do think that reviewers may see the same flaws following opening night if corrections are not made. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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Must See! Review by: broadwaybabe, Aug 29, 2012 |
Absolutely incredible and a must-see.
McClure is undeniably an amazing talent with a Chaplinesque manner and tremendous voice that brought down the house. After one of his songs, the audience literally would not stop clapping.
While I agree the first 1/2 was a bit slow, this musical is something you just have to see. Unforgettable show. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Business Associate
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Anyone
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| 43 |
Why Act 2 fails horribly Review by: Steplander, Aug 29, 2012 |
I was really rooting for this show. I wanted it to be wonderful. I wanted it to celebrate the genius of Chaplin.
"Chaplin" begins brilliantly in Act one and then becomes a different, darker, very sluggish show in Act 2.
Why? Because, like so many failed Broadway shows, this one takes itself too seriously in the second act, forgets it is a musical and why people purchased tickets to begin with;
To Be Entertained.
If we were ... read more to expect a great musical about the Beatles, would we want to see "Act 2: After the break up?" Hell no. And we really don't want to see post-Tramp "Charlie the communist" either.
That part of the Chaplin story is best left to a tell-all book.
In act one, the story of Charlie's failed marriages is handled quickly and with great humor. This is what Charlie, himself, would have done. In Act 2, this is how they should have handled the communist accusations; Quicklly. Instead they spend a great deal of time showing Charlie standing in front of waving Russian flags giving speaches.
We didn't need to see that.
What we needed to see was him being abandoned by the United States and being told he was not welcome back.
Why is that more important?
Abandonment was a key theme in Act one (his mother) and here was the ultimate abandonment, an entire nation turning its back on him, and they never showed it.
This is a key moment where we could have wondered how our hero would ever be able to rise from such a great "Fall."
They literally missed the boat.
Finally, the big missing element is what Chaplin, himself, would have insisted on: Visual story telling instead of verbal.
When Oona needs to convey her love for Charlie the MAN and NOT the Tramp, it doesn't work. If Charlie were to write/direct this scene, he would have had himself dressed as the Tramp and had Oona take off the hat, throw aside the cane, and peel off the mustache before she planted a kiss on him. THIS would have been a nice visual. Instead, Oona and Charlie are forever, visually distanced from each other, arms folded, and looking pretty sad. There is little Joy in their relationship on stage and there is not much for the audiance to root for.
So, how can they save this show?
Give the audience more of what they saw in Act 1: The magic of the Little Tramp and the artistic genius of Chaplin.
Charlie made hunger fun. Charlie made homelessnes charming.Charlie moved in such a way that we could not take our eyes off him.
Act two doesn't move and offers nothing, visually, that pays any homage to the man.
There is one great point made in Act 2:
When Charlie abandoned the Little Tramp, he lost his audience.
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
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| 44 |
The Little Champ" Review by: mr_joe, Aug 29, 2012 |
What a wonderful Broadway musical in the tradition of what makes a great Broadway show. Excellent story, acting is great, singing in superb - both choral and solos.
A fun and moving show destined for greatness as the word gets out. Go see it. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Tourists
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Chaplin- Thumbs Up! Review by: , Aug 28, 2012 |
| Being a big Chaplin fan for many years, I really enjoyed this show. Acting was terrific and the portrayal of Chaplin's life was pretty close to on target. I would definitely see it again and recommend it to my friends. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
The Entire Family
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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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