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The Times They Are A-Changin' Reviews
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| 1 |
Review by: jj, Dec 25, 2006 |
| this show should have never closed it was the only show with a heart on broadway. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Review by: Schwable, Nov 26, 2006 |
| We saw the next to last show and were extremely disappointed that the show was closing. We took our children ages 15 and 9 and they loved it. I personally am not a Dylan fan (my husband is a die hard fan, but loved the show. The music chosen was excellent. The person who posted that the songs were unknown was totally wrong...spparently they do not know Dylan music.....Highway 61, Forever Young, Maggies Farm, Everybody must get stoned........ read more.Excellent show |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| 3 |
The Times They’ve Passed Us By Review by: Leslie, Nov 26, 2006 |
I went to the show on Nov. 17th- with no REAL expectations for what I was going to see. I knew it was closing in two days, reviews where GREATLY ambivalent- mostly bad, but it was Dylan’s music, Twyla’s dance….
I was completely blown away, by the magical fantasy world that inhabited the stage. Captain Ahrab’s circus became a wondrous place, full of skilled acrobatic dancers, and marvelous song.
The show had a simple story behind ... read more it. Man has circus, man is mean. Man has son, man is mean. Man has girlfriend, man is mean. Man is mean to the clowns that work for him also. A comeuppance- of sorts occurs, leading to a kinder, gentler circus.
Thom Sesma as Captain Ahrab, was a wonderful combination of hatefulness combined with a deeply buried vulnerability and helplessness. His attitude was- get them, before they get me. I felt sorry for this character, but I really didn’t like him. Mr. Sesma has one of the most beautiful singing voices that I’ve ever heard.
Michael Arden played the son Coyote. I found his character to be the least developed of the three, suffering from a great backbone deficiency. Coyote suffered his fathers abuse, saw the abuse to the others, but never stands up to his father to put an end to it. Coyote seemed very wimpy, although he did have a kind heart to the suffering clowns, and to Captain Ahrabs suffering girlfriend.
Cleo, I found to be the most intriguing character of all. Played by Lisa Brescia, Cleo had the voice of an angel living in her own private hell. You wonder why she stayed? Was her own sense of self so damaged that she felt that she deserved it? You wanted to cry for Cleo, and at the same time you wanted to shake some sense into her.
The ensemble of dancers/singers/actors/acrobats/gymnasts, all served as marvelous backdrop and scenery, to greatly enrich the flavor of the story. The playfulness, the talent, the pure joy in creative movement, led to a circus experience worthy of Barnum and Bailey. The entire stage was filled to the brim with such talent, that it’s impossible to single out just one.
I understood what Twyla Tharp was trying to say. I understood what Bob Dylan was saying. What I DON’T understand, is why more people didn’t see this magnificent show. After all, everybody loves a circus!!!
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THE TIMES THEY'VE DONE CHANGED! Review by: RALPHIE, Nov 19, 2006 |
| We saw the next-to-final performance and had the lowest expectations; but what we found was a good show. Not as annoyingly loud or hyperactive as MOVIN OUT, the setting in Captain Ahab's Circus was a winner. The music and performances were very good. This show DID NOT trash Bob Dylan's music, as Ring of Fire trashed Johnny Cash and All Shook up trashed Elvis Presley. Reports of whips, chains and S&M were just outright lies. Many hard ... read more core DYLAN fans are fron the drug culture of the '60's. Being Dylan's age I remember firsthand the ungliness of this era, persons who would not bathe, stoned on drugs in the name of Peace, raising addicted, useless children. Last week we saw a young woman on a Soho doorstep smoking a joint -- a rare sight in 2006. In the 1960's drugs, crime and prostitutes were all over New York; but not anymore. The Times They Are a-Changin, and the hippies and their Peace Sign are just so yesterday. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Adults
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| 5 |
Very entertaining Review by: marylou, Nov 5, 2006 |
| I see at least 5 shows a season and thought this was right up there with the best. Both singers and dancers were great. The best part was that you can hear Dylan's music without his horrible voice. Just sit back and enjoy the show without analyzing. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| 6 |
Times They Are A-Closin Review by: folkyboy, Nov 2, 2006 |
When I read other reviews for this theatre piece, I knew that I was going to have to do some serious re-thinking of what theatre is and can be in order to enjoy it. There’s just far too many horrific moments in what seems like a great idea to even pinpoint. However, I am a sadist so here we go:
1) People dressed as animals is never a good idea. Ever. And the stuffed animals being thrown around on stage ... read more resembling “Maggie’s Farm” was just far worse than I could ever explain.
2) Or the whole guy on stilts resembling “God”. The fact that they had to write the word “God” on his hat so that you could get it should tell you everything.
3) The Playbill spoke of metaphors and the ilk but I felt like the only metaphors being used were new ones Twyla Tharp was inventing. Half the metaphors Bob Dylan talked about were solidified in WRONG WRONG ways for us to see on the stage. Yoga balls were rolled across the stage to resemble “rolling stones”, a man walking a tight rope across a situation was ACTUALLY a man walking on a tight rope.
Ugh. I wish I could tell you that the musicians on stage were really giving it their all but half the time I wanted to ask them if THEY were being serious, too... |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 7 |
Change Plans for "Times They Are A-Changin'" Review by: Carol, Nov 1, 2006 |
Half the songs in the show were unknown to me, and I lived through the Bob Dylan era. The acrobats were amazing, but the storyline thin. The vocalists were fine, but the editing of Dylan's music and the renditions left a lot to be desired.
This was no "Movin' Out." |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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Anyone
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| 8 |
Hope you get to see it before it's moving out ... Review by: Will, Oct 29, 2006 |
| I went to a PreView of this production...The dance part of the production is very well done the rest of the show moves along..I hope they have made a few changes before opening night...the dancing part of the show was great...Best Part "KNOCK KNOCK" the black and flash lights great job there... |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
The Entire Family, Tourists
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| 9 |
Great Times! Review by: lulu, Oct 29, 2006 |
| Highly entertaining. A WOW experience. It's even better the 2nd time I saw it. There is so much going on and the feelings are so powerful. "Blowin' In The Wind" sent chills through me it is so beautiful. I wasn't well versed in Dylan before I saw it and now I can't wait for more. There are real dancers in this show. They don't just move, they will move you. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 10 |
This show is a hit whether you like it or not Review by: Semiformal, Oct 26, 2006 |
I am sixteen years old and although knowing of Bob Dylan’s music I was not an avid fan before seeing The Times They Are a Changing. Even though I could not sing along with the show, as I’m sure some other members of the audience could have, I believe that I enjoyed it just as much; if not more.
I did not feel the need for it to be an opera. For the first twenty minutes I was waiting for the dialogue to start. Although this was a ... read more decision (like the one to not have an intermission) that in the end I believe makes the show unique.
Dylan’s songs fit perfectly. If I had not heard these songs before in my life you could have told me that they were written just for this show and I would have believed you.
Before you walk into the theatre to see the show try to forget everything you know. Simplicity is key. I’m not saying that the show is unintelligent I’m just saying that it is simple. And after the rush of Rent, Phantom of the Opera and Wicked there is nothing wrong with simple.
The songs are emotional and powerful. The dances were amazing. I didn’t want to blink for I felt I would miss something. I suggest this show to everyone and anyone who is looking for a experience you won’t forget.
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
The Entire Family, Seniors, Anyone
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| 11 |
Must see show on Broadway! Review by: vikwr.com, Oct 23, 2006 |
| Emotional and extraordinary Rock Opera! I loved the music, the story and the cast. What a fresh new look at some of my favorite old songs. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Large Group
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Recommended for:
Adults, Anyone
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| 12 |
An excellent show!!! Review by: wkb, Oct 23, 2006 |
If you're a die-hard Dylan fan who wants to hear Dylan music sung by Dylan himself, or at least by a Dylan impersonator, then don't see this show… If what you want is an interpretation of Dylan’s life or an analysis of his songs set in historical context, then don’t see this show… But if you love Dylan’s words (his lyrics and messages), if you love rock and roll, and if want to see a fresh, different, moving, invigorating musical ... read more with a storyline told completely through song, dance, and acting (there’s no spoken dialogue), then go see this show!!! The story is interesting and astonishingly touching, involving an old-fashioned traveling circus, a domineering and mean-spirited old man, a conflict between this man and his son, and a love interest they fight over as well. Dylan’s songs fit each step of the story like a tight glove – with no “stretch” to make them fit perfectly. The voices are outstanding (especially the main three), the dancing and acrobatics are impressive, and the acting and expressions (especially the clown) are fabulous!
I went with my 16 year old son, a big fan of and participator in musical theatre, along with a friend of mine and her 17 year old son, who is not a big fan of musical theatre. My friend and I loved it, and so did my son! The non-musical-theatre teen wasn’t enthralled, like we three were, but he still liked it quite a lot… I think they made a mistake titling it as they did, using one of Dylan’s most famous songs; I think perhaps “Captain Ahrab’s Circus” would have worked better to set expectations correctly. I would see it again in order to take my 18-year old daughter.
This show is its own entity; its own story, with its own messages. It’s equivalent to a singer who sings someone else’s songs, but with his or her own interpretations and own beautiful voice. Dylan’s music is one brilliant element of the show that adds to the enjoyment of the entire event, but it is definitely not the only element and not necessarily the most important one.
See the show with an open mind and open heart – and you can’t help but feel touched and moved.
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| 13 |
An entertainment of sorts Review by: holly, Oct 23, 2006 |
but definately lacking in many ways -
Throughout I was trying to fiure out if what I was watching was brilliant or a bomb.
I was unable to
appreciuate TWYLAS dancers bc they were doing circus acrobatice and the Dylan music seemed to simply get lost
It was fun and entertaining but
definately not great -Movin Out was very different
and a much better show - just my opinion . |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Tourists
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| 14 |
Times They are a Snorin' Review by: Norma, Oct 22, 2006 |
I saw The Times They Are a Changin with my 11 year old daughter who enjoys Broadway musicals (especially Phantom of the Opera). She did not like it at all and was bored and commented "this is a joke".
As for me, I grew up in the 70's so Bob Dylan songs are fresh in my mind. This play reminded me of Cats. The music and dancing were good as was expected but the play lacked a storyline and the spark that makes viewers want ... read more to see a Broadway production in the first place.
I would not recommend this play to anyone who didn't like Cats or who gets bored easily. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 15 |
Stay Away! Review by: Bernie, Oct 21, 2006 |
| I saw the "play" October 6th, and was very unhappy with the production. The sets, if you can call them sets, were fit for a High School production. The band was delightful, faithful to the music of Dylan and a delight to listen to. Unfortunately the production is one act and only 90 minutes long. The dancing was true Tharpe, with one excellent dancer, but overall the staging is not entertaining. As to the singing, there are two good voices ... read more that do justice to Dylan, but overall the acting and singing are equal to a good College production. |
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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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