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Journey's End Reviews
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EXCELLENT DRAMA == BRAIN-DEAD PRODUCER == WINS TONY ANYWAY Review by: FRANK B, Jun 11, 2007 |
I rate this play a great big AAAA+ and was glad to see it win the TONY for Best Revival of a Play. Too bad about the weak box office, because many theatregoers missed a real gem of a drama.
Too bad also that the producer made a fool of himself at the Tony Awards talking about the play as "anti war" and saying he hoped it'd show that conflicts could be solved without war. First of all, the play was pro-military from the get-go. But ... read more if I'd read it was some spineless "peace advocate" drivel I wouldn't have bought a ticket. The play was no such thing. I'd like to explain it for the producer's benefit: This was World War I. The German Army marched into France. France fought back. The British did with France what friends do for each other in time of emergency; they went there to help out. If the German Army had stayed in Germany where they belonged, there would be no war; but they didn't. No ideal is more morally bankrupt than moral equivalence. Too bad this great play was resurrected by such a dunce. It was great, and deserved better. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Alone
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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| 2 |
JOURNEY'S (Timeless and Poignant) END Review by: Mike on Broadway, Jun 5, 2007 |
| Hugh Dancy, Boyd Gaines, Jefferson Mays and Stark Sands lead a cast of INCREDIBLE talent that oozes with raw, real remotion. If you haven't seen it yet, book your seat today! 2 hours and 40 minutes of elecricity that Broadway hasn't accurately felt in decades. R.C. Sherrifs' play (though dated by several decades) continues to ring true and poignant even today. Masterfully-crafted piece of theatre magic here, folks. This show *screams* ... read more TONY win for "Best Revival of a Play" without question. |
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must see!
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Business Associate
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Recommended for:
Tourists, Adults, Anyone
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| 3 |
I found myself searching for a bit more story Review by: Tom Bestor, May 6, 2007 |
Though the ensemble cast is terrific and the production first-rate, the play ultimately left me cold. This is a revival of a 1929 work set in the trenches of France during WWI, when German and English soldiers faced each other from only a few dozen yards apart. The cast, including Boyd Gaines ("Contact"), Hugh Dancy ("Elizabeth I" as well as a Burberry model) and Jefferson Mays ("I Am My Own Wife") in a brilliant turn as the company cook, is ... read more uniformly excellent, but I found myself (as I often do) searching for a bit more story.
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| 4 |
As relevant today as in l9l4 Review by: Deborah, Apr 30, 2007 |
This production is a must see, that left me moved and
a bit unhinged. The powerful ending is unlike any I have
even seen on Broadway and the performances are inspired.
Hey, I love a big showy musical as much as the next person,
but a show like this is theatre at it's best. Do go! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Family
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| 5 |
A punch in the gut Review by: citizen ghost, Apr 26, 2007 |
A very good play - powerful with outstanding performances.
Of course it's not for everyone, but for a powerful and poignant drama (yet oddly funny at times), it's tough to beat. The reactions of some of the other reviewers here were interesting. It's puzzling that some of the reviewers insist that it's not an "anti-war" play. I suspect they were reacting more to those theater goers who saw it as a commentary on current events - rather ... read more than a reaction to the play itself.
Of course it's an anti-war drama. Rarely has the futility and barbarism of warfare been so compelling on the stage. But what it is not is a anti-war drama with a political point-of-view. And that's the key, I think. The point-of-view is a purely human one, transcending any concerns of partisan politics.
Similarly, I was amused by the reviewer below who celebrated the absence of "homosexual themes." I wonder if he was watching a different play. Yes, the theme of homosexual attraction (love?) was subtle (disguised as puppy-dog hero worship) - but heck, it wasn't THAT subtle.
Still, it's a mark of good writing and a good play that one needn't get caught up in any of that (or even notice it) to be moved by the play or to appreciate it's overall excellence. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Tourists, Adults
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| 6 |
WWI Drama Review by: nedracine, Apr 25, 2007 |
Well first, I loved the atmosphere. We were in row C, and at such close proximity to the stage we did not suffer the difficulty in seeing the acting as others who were farther back. The dimly lit stage mimicking candlelight inside a trench was very realistic and effective. So try to get close-up seats.
The acting was solid overall, but at times I found some conversation contrieved. Talk of securing pepper and arguments over dinner,... read more, for example. I have to admit I was restless sometimes.
There was a source of discomfort between the Commander and Raleigh(a subordinate that was known in the prior civilian world) that also seemed unrealistic. And, in another subplot, if the cowardly soldier had redeemed himself by suffering the ultimate sacrifice, the poignancy and irony would have been increased enormously.
I recommend this play for theater goers who like a serious drama and especially appreciate war stories.
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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Recommended for:
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| 7 |
Lest We Forget---please don't miss this incredibly moving drama Review by: Granfield, Apr 24, 2007 |
| I was so moved by this play I don't remember walking from the theatre back to the hotel. I was in another place--back in the First World War. This play is a must-see, for the words and noise as much as for the silence so well played on stage. (I'm still at a loss for words three days later.) I've 'studied' that war for the last ten years and haven't seen anything that so well captured the reality of the wait-fight-wait of a soldier's life. And ... read more to think our armed forces are going through the 'same thing' in Iraq and Afghanistan! I was holding my breath just to fight back the tears as I watched Boyd Gaines prepare, in quiet, to go on the raid. Imagine, no battle scenes and yet we were there! We were watching men, coping with what was around them. Immediacy, humanity. At the end, the minute of sitting in total darkness, listening to the shelling and thinking how much more of that soldiers really heard (hear in Iraq?) during the war--and the curtain call--both absolutely brilliant! We saw three plays in three days--the other two, very good, were a musical and a 'classic' but this is the one I shall never, never, forget. I have a new appreciation for what my grandfather experienced in 1918. Thank you to an incredible cast. Go see this drama--Lest We Forget! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 8 |
Not so much... Review by: purrminator, Apr 22, 2007 |
| I agree with JW and jla... Sure, the subject matter is important (war = bad...and haven't we seen enough revivals/etc? Let's see a sharp new production of TODAY'S "war" issue!) but the work itself was tedious and people wore their coats and gloves 'cause it was so cold in the theatre. A few people left before intermission, I left during intermission....just couldn't keep my eyes open along with a few others. I wanted to like it but it didn't ... read more hold my interest. Yes, I understand this is not the kind of show with bells and whistles and I wasn't expecting that, but I WAS expecting much more. Yawn. To each his own. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 9 |
Brilliant performances; highly recommended play Review by: DORIA, Apr 7, 2007 |
We attended the performance on April 5. This is a brilliant play with superb and masterful performances throughout, particularly Boyd Gaines and Jefferson Mays. It will make audiences think deeply about our current world affairs and the personal tragedies of war. Take heed about the sound effects: it will be quite loud and jolting yet powerful and essential as part of the performance. During intermission, I overheard a number of ... read more people complain that it was hard to hear so they may have been seated toward the back of the theatre or upstairs. Our seats were eighth row, center and well worth the price. Read the NY Times review to get a sense of the staging and what to expect.
Audiences should be flocking to this play. You will be transformed and moved.
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Spouse/Partner
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| 10 |
powerful and well acted but not for everyone. Review by: goldenboy, Apr 5, 2007 |
Journey's End will not be everyone's cup of tea.
It is a powerful realistic anti-war play with a long and talky first act. The expostion goes on far too long.
Thankfully it picks up in act two and three when we get to know the soldiers and watch their reactions to the realism of war. (Don't want to give away too much here) and the
play becomes very powerful, well acted and well done.
I have to aggree with the ... read more poster who stated the stage was too dark. I had trouble seeing the actors and I had sat in
Row M. Of course, the realism of the play dictated the starkness of lighting but a few more light points would have been appreciated.
The actors are first rate and this show is for people who like their shows realistic, and thought provoking.
A fascinating evening of stark realistic theatre. Not for those who love musicals or light fare. |
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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:
Adults, Anyone
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| 11 |
Amazing acting, and show for any age! Review by: veronika, Mar 17, 2007 |
| as a young person, i enjoyed the play very much, i know im only 15, but i found it amazingly interesting, and i would love to go and see it again. and if your luck would be as good as mine, you would even get to meet the cast, on the street! so it was simply great play about strugle of the war, and amazing friendship |
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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:
Business Assoc., Seniors, Tourists
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| 12 |
Must See for the serious theatergoer Review by: ELR, Mar 15, 2007 |
| The best drama on Broadway this year. This excellent revival keeps you involved every moment. |
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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:
Adults
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| 13 |
Outstanding... Review by: Joe , Mar 14, 2007 |
| I saw it this past Friday night, and it was truly outstanding. I've seen many plays, but this is by far the best I've ever seen. I liked it even more than the recent "Coast of Utopia." The performances are all first rate, absolutely top-notch. And the play itself is timeless. It shows what war is really like, and what it does to those in the midst of it, without showing you actual battles. It also shows the bond that is ... read more formed between these soldiers, who are together 24/7. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants a truly remarkable night at the theater. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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| Acting: |
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| 14 |
Thought-provoking, excellent production Review by: Lauren, Mar 6, 2007 |
I saw this last week, and was absolutely enthralled. The entire production is amazing, from the acting to the scenery to the effects. Being only seventeen, and having admittedly gone because only Hugh Dancy was in it, I walked away with a completely different perspective. The play really makes you think, and, since some of the characters are not much older than I, I found myself wondering if I could be that strong in the same situations. ... read more
As for the actors themselves, Hugh Dancy as the hard-drinking Stanhope is a bit uneven-he has his stellar moments, but he also has he downs, particularly during some of the more emotional scenes. Stark Sands, for an actor so young, is absolutely heartbreaking as Raleigh, and Boyd Gaines is nearly flawless as Osborne. Both draw you into their characters, and you feel their pains and sorrows as they experience them. I also enjoyed Jefferson Mays and John Ahlin as the more comic relief characters.
I would highly reccomend this play, especially because the theme and message is so relevant to today's events. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
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| 15 |
Admirable but not enjoyable Review by: JW, Mar 6, 2007 |
While I admired this play, I cannot say that I enjoyed it. It is to be admired for its subject matter, an unromanticized view of war, and for the courageous soldiers who fought in the war, in this case World War I. When this play was written back in the 1920s, it may have been powerful material, but today it doesn't hold up. Countless dramas detailing the horrors of war have been written since then, and although ... read more none can truly capture the war-time experience, many were much more dramatic than "Journey's End". Remember, we are judging the play here, not the subject matter, and quite simply the play is plodding and predictable. And as for this production, one would have to be sitting in the first three rows of the orchestra to get a clear view of the candle-lit stage. Yes, I realize the director strove for authenticity in staging this play with minimum lighting, but if one can't see the performers on stage, what's the point?
In short, I can't recommend this play. If you want to see great war-time dramas, you would be better served renting "The Caine Mutiny" and "Paths of Glory" DVDs. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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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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