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End of the Rainbow Reviews
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See it before it closes Review by: Chris, Jul 22, 2012 |
I had the wonderful opportunity to see End of the Rainbow on 7/21/12. It is the story of the last six months of Judy Garland's life -- focusing ona concert that she was to perform at "Talk of the Town" in London. (with all of her most famous songs). Without the brilliant work of Tracie Bennett as Judy Garland, this show would not be possible. She is just as terrific and dynamic as the real Judy Garland.
I am concerned ... read more that the house was not even close to being filled on Saturday evening. If you enjoy the theater, and want to see a stellar performance (definitely should have won the Tony for this), make sure you get over to see End of the Rainbow before it ends its run. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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| 2 |
Judy, Judy Judy! Review by: Aim, Jul 15, 2012 |
| Tracie Bennett is amazing and completely embodies Judy.The audience is drawn into the conflicts and the depth of Judy's suffering and talent.See the show for Tracie and just accept the play, which is just okay. No mention of her children at all, which I think was remiss. I think that although Judy was self-involved, she would have spoken about her children during that period of time. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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Garland is incarnated Review by: , Jun 25, 2012 |
| This is a Tony winning performance if ever I've seen one. Tracie Bennett is magnificient! She is Garland incarnate. She has got it all, the mannerisms, inflections, style, walk, everything. It is something to behold. The show is a must for a superb and extraordinary female leading lady. |
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must see!
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Large Group
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Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 4 |
JUDY REINCARNATED Review by: BigKen, Jun 12, 2012 |
| Yes, it is a bit dark, but that's the period of Judy's farewell to life period! Tracey Bennett got robbed. She should have won the Tony for her superior performance. She WAS Judy(looks, singing, movements). The music was excellent and the show all around was well done. If you're up for something light-hearted and upbeat, see something else, but if you're up for a truly non fictional and well done, don't miss this one! |
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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:
Seniors, Adults
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| 5 |
the play itself is rather insubstantial Review by: Tom Bestor, Jun 10, 2012 |
If you've read anything about this show - playing at the absolutely gorgeous Belasco Theatre - you've probably read about Tracie Bennett's powerful performance, which many are saying could win her this year's Tony. True, her portrayal of Judy Garland during her last series of concerts is thrilling, but it's not enough to overcome the fact that the play itself is rather insubstantial.
With all the drama surrounding Judy's last months - the ... read more pills, the booze ("Whenever I drink water, I always feel I'm missing something."), the gold-digging younger fiance, more pills - you'd think it would be hard to make a play as uni-dimensional as this. But they managed somehow.
Some of the fault lies with writer Peter Quilter, though I place far more of the blame at the feet of director Terry Johnson, who has created some abrupt transitions in the performances, so that his actors suddenly blow up in rage with no truly adequate motivation for doing so. Garland was an addict, but she wasn't stupid or crazy. Bennett has the Garland poses down, as well as the vocal tics, but ultimately she can't transcend the plodding clumsiness of the production.
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| 6 |
Meh. Review by: DoctorJoeE, May 22, 2012 |
| Anyone but the most fanatical Judy Garland fans will be sorely disappointed with this production. While Tracie Bennett delivers a reasonably accurate impression of Garland, that's all we get. The acting is competent but rushed and labored. There is no plot, no appreciable story line, no character development, and no surprise. Does anyone really not know the story of Judy Garland's tragic final years, dissipated in a haze of drugs and alcohol,... read more, exploiting everyone and being exploited by everyone? The story goes absolutely nowhere; for two hours we watch Garland battle her demons with precious little success. The devil perched on one shoulder is represented by Mickey Deans (Tom Pelphrey), her fifth, last, and sleaziest husband; the angel on the other shoulder is Anthony (Michael Cumpsty), her loyal accompanist and musical director. Guess who wins. The music is great, and well-performed, I'll grant that, although I can't believe the producers couldn't resist even one final cliche - ending with a chorus of Over the Rainbow. For a fraction of the price of one ticket you can go to iTunes and listen to Judy herself sing all those songs and many more; it will be time and money much better spent. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 7 |
Review by: molokinirum, May 21, 2012 |
| Great play and performance! Tracy Bennet is OUTSTANDING!!! When she sings, close your eyes and you will belive that Judy Garland is actually singing. What a performance, this is a MUST SEE!! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 8 |
disappointed Review by: McKenna, May 21, 2012 |
Sorry to say we were disappointed in this play, maybe because of all the hype. While Traci Bennett did a great acting job, it was the same throughout the whole show - an alcoholic/addict with much arguing. I had expected to see more dimensions.
It was a very simplistic staging and most of the songs were not know to us. Maybe you had to be 60+ years old.
Not bad, but we wish we had seen one of the other new shows instead. |
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Don't go
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| 9 |
YOU MUST SEE END OF THE RAINBOW Review by: peter, May 1, 2012 |
| A spectacular performance by Tracie Bennett. The story was great and the songs infused within the drama were well done and well crafted. You should NOT MISS THIS performance. Yes, there is some concern on the validity and facts of the story, but this is drama. However, as one of the VonTrappe children said about "The Sound of Music," - "it's a very nice story..not our story..but a very nice story." So yes there are some ... read more questionable facts but dont let that deter you from seeing this performance. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 10 |
Definitely a Winner Review by: Carol, Apr 6, 2012 |
The End of the Rainbow takes the audience into the dark side of stardom. Like so many others who could not deal with fame, Judy Garland succumbs to substance abuse. The story is lavishly set in a Ritz Hotel suite in London in 1968. Garland is appearing for a run of concerts. Between shows we see her with her latest boy toy fiancé, Mickey Deans played by Tom Pelphrey. He is the weak link, often going over the top in his portrayal. This is ... read more an otherwise riveting story of the gradual demise of a Hollywood idol reminiscent of the recent death of Whitney Houston.
The reason to see the show is definitely for the performance of Tracie Bennett, who should have to win the Tony Award for best actress of 2012. Whether she is singing, cavorting with Mickey or dissolving into tears in the arms of her supportive, sensitive pianist Anthony (Broadway veteran,Michael Cumpsty), poignantly telling the story of what she is demanded to do and be, she holds the stage with her incredible talent. This adult drama is not without its comedic lines to break the tension of Garland’s pain and addictions. This British import translates well to the American stage. Bennett received a well-deserved, ten-minute standing ovation and calls for an encore.
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 11 |
Bennett and Cumpsty are wonderful, but... Review by: Legs, Apr 5, 2012 |
| Tracie Bennett is the reason to see this play. She is, simply, extraordinary and gives a Tony winning performance. Michael Cumpsty, too, is wonderful as Anthony, Garland's adoring pianist. But the play falls short in so many ways. If it were not for the mesmerizing Bennett, it's a kind of repetitive snooze, thin on dialogue and minus a story other than a warning to keep your kids out of show biz. Perhaps the Garland saga of ... read more drug abuse and self-destruction is so well known that I was hoping for something more. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
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| 12 |
Over and Beyond the Rainbow Review by: rskblueyes, Apr 2, 2012 |
Amazing show and concept!
Tracie Bennett physically and emotionally gives an excellant performance of Judy Garland at the end of her life. My only slight complaint is when speaking she sounded more like Talluah Bankhead then Judy Garland, as her voice was a bit low and raspy. When Tracie sings Judy she nails it sounding just like Judy down to every vocal inflection.
The rest of the cast were wonderfull making perfect foils for Judy.... read more.
Im hoping at Tony Time Ms. Bennett is recognized for her outstanding portrayl!! |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Seniors, Tourists, Adults
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| 13 |
TALENTED TRACIE Review by: Tina, Mar 29, 2012 |
I SAW PREVIEW OF END OF THE RAINBOW MARCH 23. TRACIE
BENNETT WAS AMAZING ! BOTH HER ACTING AND SINGING WERE
OUTSTANDING. BENNETT WITH HER HIGH ENERGY AND TALENT
MADE ME FEEL JUDY GARLAND WAS ON THE STAGE AT THE
BELASCO THEATRE. |
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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, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 14 |
En core! Review by: melster, Mar 25, 2012 |
Tracie Bennett was born to play this role! A small framed actress, she filled the stage with her tremendous presence! Will this win the TOny for best staging, setting, or costumes? Probably not even a nomination. But watch Ms. Bennett. She was amazing, so believable at times I feared the worst.
A roller coaster ride of emotions, filled with tears, laughs and great entertainment, this is the one to see, if just for Ms. Bennett's performance. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
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| 15 |
One of the greatest shows for years Review by: Simon James, Mar 22, 2012 |
| One of the most extraordinary evenings of theatre i have ever experienced. Truly, completely amazing. The whole audience were just enraptured by it. Amazing - don't miss it. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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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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