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The Philanthropist Reviews
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Sub Par Production Review by: Mr. Perkins, Jun 19, 2009 |
Matthew Broderick did not give a very interesting performance, and if the play is the least bit funny, you would never know it from this production. Mr. Broderick particularly spoke in a very soft voice that was frequently inaudible.
Like all Roundabout shows, production values are very high, but that didn't help this production much. There are many many better productions on and off Broadway to see if your time/money is limited. I would not ... read more tell anyone that they should see this production. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 2 |
...seriously? Review by: thatguy, Jun 18, 2009 |
| I would like to say I saw seven broadway shows while I was in New York.......but I actually saw six shows and one terrible excuse for theatre. The philanthropist was this "terrible excuse for theatre." The best actor dies in the first scene. The only character that had me interested in the least bit shoots himself in the first scene. Surprisingly enough the star of the show, Matthew Broderick, was in my opinion, the worst actor in the show. ... read more He used the same voice he does in The Producers but with a terrible British accent. The directing in this show was also terrible. It's hard to be interested when everyone is sitting down for almost the ENTIRE show. And Matthew Broderick constantly getting up to make drinks over and over again doesn't help. If there was a point to the story, then the actors did not give enough attention to it. I wish the people who organized my trip had not put this show on the program. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 3 |
Far from perfect, but nothing wrong with some simple laughts and contemplation. Review by: HipTix Member, Jun 10, 2009 |
| I read the reviews here before seeing the show and had pretty low expectations. But I went for a discount and Broderick... However, despite the poor accents and occasional hyperbole/lack of depth, the show provided ample opportunity for reflection, insight into human nature, and laughter. Everyone's humor is different, but the audience as a whole seemed to agree with me several times. Perhaps not on par with Normal Conquest,... read more, but different enouugh to be an enjoyable time at the theater. Set design was interesting as well. |
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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., Tourists
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| 4 |
Two hours of my life I can never get back Review by: Jenn, Jun 10, 2009 |
| This production was so bad it isn't worth writing about. We wish we could get the our money back. The characters were uninteresting and overly verbose, on top of that the acting was flat, which had the effect of putting one to sleep. I would not recommend it for anyone. |
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My recommendation:
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| 5 |
Walked Out!! Review by: Johnny Sez, Jun 6, 2009 |
| Thursday night was a first for my wife and I, after over 20 years and at least 50 shows, we walked out at the intermission. Terrrible English accents, and very low voice projection, the attempts at humor were almost annoying. DON'T GO!!! If you already have tickets, give them to someone you don't like! |
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My recommendation:
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| 6 |
Not all bad Review by: boardbroad, Jun 4, 2009 |
| This play has some good moments but unless you are in the mood to listen carefully and to try to appreciate some of the dry dialouge, then my suggestion is to skip it. I don't really care for the play itself, but the actors did the best they could with it. Good supporting cast and I feel that Matthew Broderick did an admirable job in the role as Phillip, the brutally honest professor. The play has one very drawn out boring ... read more dinner party scene that sets up each character but also ruins the play. It is too long and dominated by one character, played by Cake. If you love Broderick, go see it. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 7 |
What's the reason for this? Review by: , Jun 1, 2009 |
| The acting was admirable in a play as mysterious as its title. Apparently there is another meaning to "philanthropist" that totally escapes me. The couple next to us left BEFORE the first act ended. I sat dumbfounded, making mental note that this was a comedy, as the audience sporadically broke into a light but brief chuckle. The second act was a struggle and then it was over. Matthew Broderick's schlumpy mode was in full tilt, bordering on ... read more invisible. Sadly, do not waste valuable time and money. |
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My recommendation:
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| 8 |
Interesting Beginnings of a Play, or may be it's a Film Script? Review by: BroadwayBabySawIt, May 9, 2009 |
| First, the good news - the set and costumes are very well done, chosen with care and well thought out. Now the bad news - this script is either a film script or the first draft of a play. I say that because there are characters who appear in only one scene (of 6 total scenes) and either have no lines or else lots of lines and no real purpose. Like Michaelangelo who sculpted to release the statues from the rock, this production suggests a story ... read more still waiting to be completely hewn out of a mass of words, or a film script that will be honed in editing. The missing element here is the main character, as other reviewers have noted - we are not sure of who this is ans what he wants until the final scene, and that's too late! If they moved the last scene to the beginning, we would understand what drives the lead character, and the choices that he makes, and then we would have something interesting to watch. Matthew Broderick in the role - in strangely whitened hair - is someone that we associate with friendly characters, so to see him here behaving in an antisocial way makes no sense... until the last scene. It is interesting to watch in some places due to the words used as a type of swordplay in the beginning scenes, and the interesting use of adjectives throughout, but because the main character is an unknown, there is no foundation to the play until it is 15 minutes from the end. Do see it for the supporting cast, including Jonathan Cake and Stephen Weber, who do good jobs bailing like crazy to keep it afloat when they are onstage. But don't expect a shattering evening of theater, this one is a slow simmer that never quite boils. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| 9 |
Spoon feeding it isn't. Review by: The friendly hatter, May 3, 2009 |
Saw the show on opening night. From reading the reviews below, it seems that they must have worked on a few little nips and tucks here and there as the production I saw bears little resemblance to the one that the previous reviewers must have witnessed.
The play features a main character who always sees the good in everything, to the point of upsetting everybody he meets. Philip played by Matthew Broderick, has some ... read more tremendously funny lines which are delivered with a kind of absent minded professor attitude by someone who is at a loss at to why the world is so at war with itself. Mr Broderick has met with some unfair criticism for his portrayal/accent here. He reminded me very much of my old History master, especially in voice, so can't see the problem, maybe his accent just wasn't cliché enough for some tastes.
Jonathan Cake played a boorish egotistical author dressed of the age - did we all look like porn stars then? Comic with tons of stage presence. He has also had his accent criticised by some poor unfortunates who haven't cottoned on that Mr Cake is in act from the South of England. Steven Webber's English accent was spot on as was his sensitivity in some of the more sombre moments in the play. Jennifer Mudge oozed sexuality as the seductress who Philip succumbs to, just to spare her feelings! Samantha Soule played brilliantly, getting many laughs without uttering a single word in the play. Best surprise of all was Anna Madeley who on making her Broadway debut commanded the stage with what showcased her range to perfection. A name definitely to look out for in the future.
The play isn't one that spoon feeds its audience, Mama Mia it isn't. However, if you are prepared to contribute some concentration to events on stage then your will amply rewarded. If what you want is a light laugh every 20 seconds sitcom then maybe it may not be your bag. I'd recommend it though, a stretch is good for all!
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 10 |
Dreary and boring from beginning to end Review by: Bored Stiff, Apr 29, 2009 |
| Has to be the most dreary, boring Broadway production I ever experienced. The play is boring, as are the characters and the acting. Save your money! |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 11 |
I will see it at a discount Review by: LC, Apr 27, 2009 |
I saw it on April 25, last day before the opening. I think the play was not easy to grasp. I thought Matthew Broderick did as good a job as he can, with his limited command of the British accent. They should have had a British actor play the part of Philip, he will be more authentic, but I guess they needed the name recognition.
They had a cast interview after the matinee performance and that was when I realized that the playwright was ... read more trying to portray the 7 deadly sins.
Matthew was miscast in this show and I still consider him a good actor.
My daughter saw Waiting for Godot a week before and she said the Philanthropist is still better than Godot. There was no chemistry between the actors in Godot. What a shame. |
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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 |
Don't bother... Review by: mbcfree, Apr 27, 2009 |
| boring.... haven't been to NYC in years. Finally get to see a show, love Broderick, but this was a huge disappointment. Still trying to figure out why it's called the Philanthropist. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 13 |
Misanthropic about the Philanthropist Review by: Carol, Apr 22, 2009 |
| This is an acting exercise with some interesting stagecraft gimmicks. Occasionally the play is funny. The educator-artist at the American Airlines Theater indicated Christopher Hampton was Britain's outstanding contemporary playwright. In that case, take me back to Shakespeare! The play was often a bore and an expensive nap. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| 14 |
Not worth a half price ticket. Review by: tjd24, Apr 20, 2009 |
| My wife and I had three reasons to see this play - 1) Her Birthday for which we like to see a Broadway Show, 2) Matthew Broderick, as we've seen him in How to Succeed in Business, The Producers and The Odd Couple and 3) Half price Orchestra seats. Besides these three reasons the maintenee April 18 was a bore and reminded us we need to do more homework on the subject of the shows we consider. Except for a few funny, dry lines by Mr. Broderick ... read more and Steven Weber, the story enduces drozziness after Act I through the rest of the performance. One does feel sympathy for Phillip but you feel nothing for the rest of the characters. Don't waste your time or even a half price ticket. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 15 |
scholarly? Review by: itsReal, Apr 19, 2009 |
| Maybe you have to be an Oxford scholar to appreciate the humor and story line in this play. The concept is good but playwright could have done so much more to develop the characters and the plat, a missed opportunity. There were a couple of laughs if you tried hard |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
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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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