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NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review

Posted by: T.B._Admin. 08:00 pm EST 11/17/14

Matthew Murray takes a look at Side Show:

Come one, come all! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, step right up and see the blandest show on Earth! . . .

Link SIDE SHOW Review

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re: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review

Posted by: ARReith1982 12:18 am EST 11/18/14
In reply to: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review - T.B._Admin. 08:00 pm EST 11/17/14

My, my... what an angry review.

Personally, I thought the flashback was a great addition. I mostly disagree with this review. I thought the show was quite good. This review bothers me mostly because it's sounds extremely arrogant and know-it-all-esque. Sorry, folks.

Bottom line: You can dislike something without trashing it.


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re: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review

Posted by: PlayStu 08:04 am EST 11/18/14
In reply to: re: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review - ARReith1982 12:18 am EST 11/18/14

Loved this show. I cant believe the review from talking broadway. The cast and especially the two leads will have you jumping out of your seat. Dont miss this show. I hope you enjoy


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re: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review

Posted by: MikeR 01:44 am EST 11/18/14
In reply to: re: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review - ARReith1982 12:18 am EST 11/18/14

Maybe he is angry. Maybe the idea that someone took a musical he liked in its original incarnation and made a bunch of changes to it - and each change was for the worse - angers him. Is that not an acceptable reaction? Shouldn't we be thankful that there's still someone reviewing theater who is actually passionate about it?


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'changes for the worse.." I'm wondering

Posted by: jero 09:36 am EST 11/18/14
In reply to: re: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review - MikeR 01:44 am EST 11/18/14

what changes y'all might have made?

I'd have done less broadway glitz in the 'performance' numbers like the Nile number.


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Just who is this Matthew Murray anyway?

Posted by: pecansforall 11:30 pm EST 11/17/14
In reply to: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review - T.B._Admin. 08:00 pm EST 11/17/14

He's more of an IT guy.

Matthew Murray got his humble start leading a technology-sensitive life in elementary school, where he struggled to satisfy his ravenous hunger for computers, computer games, and writing book reports in Integer BASIC. He earned his B.A. in Dramatic Writing at Western Washington University, where he also minored in Web design and German. He has been building computers for himself and others for over 15 years, and spent several years working in IT and helpdesk capacities before escaping into the far more exciting world of journalism. Currently PCMag.com's lead analyst for components and DIY, Matthew has fulfilled a number of other positions at the company, including an editor on the Consumer Electronics and Software teams, and for a year the Managing Editor of ExtremeTech.com.

Before coming to PCMag, Matthew served as senior editor at Computer Shopper, where he covered desktops, software, components, and system building; as senior editor at Stage Directions, a monthly technical theater trade publication; and as associate editor at TheaterMania.com, where he contributed to and helped edit The TheaterMania Guide to Musical Theater Cast Recordings (Back Stage Books, 2004). Matthew is also the chief New York theater critic for TalkinBroadway.com, one of the best known and most popular Web sites covering the New York theater scene; and an editor, columnist, and critic for BroadwayStars.com, New York's foremost theater news aggregator. He also appears regularly as an expert and pundit on the Broadway Radio "This Week on Broadway" podcast, and is a member of the Theatre World Awards board for honoring outstanding stage debuts.



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re: Just who is this Matthew Murray anyway?

Posted by: Sam890 06:06 am EST 11/18/14
In reply to: Just who is this Matthew Murray anyway? - pecansforall 11:30 pm EST 11/17/14

Good luck to him - he's gone far on very little talent or ability. I find his reviews smug, ill-informed and the rantings of a person bitter about his own irrelevance. To me he demonstrates great difficulty understanding anything outside of his very narrow world view and states his limited opinion as fact - and that is why I stopped reading his 'reviews'. I suggest you do the same - there are many many alternatives


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re: Just who is this Matthew Murray anyway?

Posted by: Chromolume 09:34 pm EST 11/18/14
In reply to: re: Just who is this Matthew Murray anyway? - Sam890 06:06 am EST 11/18/14

Oh, I'm sorry. Once you read any of the reviews by one Carl Rossi in Boston, you will think of Murray as a pro with a vary fair outlook.

Just for giggles - linked below is Rossi's "review" of the Boston premiere production of Side Show, back in 2003 (and yes, I was musical director). Whatever one may have thought of the production, was this idiot's rambling screed really necessary?


And as a bonus - here's his diatribe on a local Bat Boy, which was not only a wonderful production, but probably the most successful production for the theatre that mounted it (I seem to recall that not only did the run get extended, but they brought the production back that summer).

http://www.theatermirror.com/bbstcr.htm

Now, what was that about smug, ill-informed, and ranting? ;-)

Link Side Show "review"

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re: Just who is this Matthew Murray anyway?

Posted by: SShow 10:26 am EST 11/19/14
In reply to: re: Just who is this Matthew Murray anyway? - Chromolume 09:34 pm EST 11/18/14

OMG, I came to Boston to see this production and I remember this review. I may even still have it at home somewhere.


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This may help...

Posted by: garyd 12:22 am EST 11/18/14
In reply to: Just who is this Matthew Murray anyway? - pecansforall 11:30 pm EST 11/17/14

Probably not but here it is anyway. He reviews theatre and with some credible bonafides. If you do not find he generally reflects your views, don't read him.


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I meant to attach a link...

Posted by: garyd 12:49 pm EST 11/18/14
In reply to: This may help... - garyd 12:22 am EST 11/18/14

but of course I didn't. Here it is.

Link http://www.clydefitchreport.com/2014/08/critical-i-matthew-murray-talkinbroadway-com/

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or take him with a grain of salt.

Posted by: jero 09:34 am EST 11/18/14
In reply to: This may help... - garyd 12:22 am EST 11/18/14

I use him to help me remember some points I might have forgotten.


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re: Just who is this Matthew Murray anyway?

Posted by: Circlevet 11:57 pm EST 11/17/14
In reply to: Just who is this Matthew Murray anyway? - pecansforall 11:30 pm EST 11/17/14

He's one of the better and most astute New York critics. I agree with him far more often than not.


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Come on

Posted by: Ann 11:42 pm EST 11/17/14
In reply to: Just who is this Matthew Murray anyway? - pecansforall 11:30 pm EST 11/17/14

You've been around here for at least 10 years. You can't be shocked he has a day job (which, as an editor, is not just being "an IT guy"). We have published (guessing at the number) 2,000+ reviews he has written, over more than 12 years. He's an experienced reviewer.


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re: Come on

Posted by: broadwaybacker 11:58 pm EST 11/17/14
In reply to: Come on - Ann 11:42 pm EST 11/17/14

His bitter review seemed unduly cruel to me and felt very personal. Maybe Bill Russell didn't buy him a drink at an ATC party (not that I know whether or not Murray has ever attended one.)


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re: Come on

Posted by: enoch10 01:42 pm EST 11/18/14
In reply to: re: Come on - broadwaybacker 11:58 pm EST 11/17/14

let me get this right: you feel justified in making a personal attack on someone for doing their job in a way you feel comes off as a personal attack?


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re: Come on yourself

Posted by: broadwaybacker 03:46 pm EST 11/18/14
In reply to: re: Come on - enoch10 01:42 pm EST 11/18/14

Unlike other posters who DID attack Murray personally by questioning his bona fides as a critic, I did no such thing. Perhaps you should read what I wrote again. We've all read many pans, but to me what Murray wrote felt (that's subjective) unduly cruel and personal. That's my opinion, which I'm just as entitled to have as he is.


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re: Come on yourself

Posted by: enoch10 08:59 pm EST 11/18/14
In reply to: re: Come on yourself - broadwaybacker 03:46 pm EST 11/18/14

>> Perhaps you should read what I wrote again.

you mean this part:

>> Maybe Bill Russell didn't buy him a drink at an ATC party


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re: Come on yourself

Posted by: MikeR 04:48 pm EST 11/18/14
In reply to: re: Come on yourself - broadwaybacker 03:46 pm EST 11/18/14

You questioned his motivations, suggesting that he wrote a negative review because he was personally slighted by Bill Russell. That may not be questioning his bona fides as a critic, but it's still a personal attack.


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re: Come on yourself

Posted by: Ann 05:10 pm EST 11/18/14
In reply to: re: Come on yourself - MikeR 04:48 pm EST 11/18/14

I do think that was obviously a joke, and he was trying to lighten things up a bit.


reply to this message | reply to first message

Forget the "obviously"

Posted by: Ann 05:11 pm EST 11/18/14
In reply to: re: Come on yourself - Ann 05:10 pm EST 11/18/14

I read it as a joke.


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re: Forget the "obviously"

Posted by: broadwaybacker 12:49 pm EST 11/19/14
In reply to: Forget the "obviously" - Ann 05:11 pm EST 11/18/14

Well I thought it was obvious when I added that I didn't even know if Murray ever went to an ATC party. :)

At least you (and several others) got it.

PS--Has he?


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re: Come on

Posted by: garyd 12:40 am EST 11/18/14
In reply to: re: Come on - broadwaybacker 11:58 pm EST 11/17/14

He did not like this incarnation of the work. He stated his opinion and backed it up with credible and detailed rationale. You may not agree and I may not agree but I do not see evidence of a personal vendetta or bitterness.


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re: Come on

Posted by: MikeR 01:41 am EST 11/18/14
In reply to: re: Come on - garyd 12:40 am EST 11/18/14

Exactly! He spelled out every single thing he didn't like about the show. His evaluation isn't coming from nowhere, it's all clearly supported. And people react like he killed their children. Maybe he didn't buy them drinks at an ATC party.


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re: Come on

Posted by: garyd 12:40 pm EST 11/18/14
In reply to: re: Come on - MikeR 01:41 am EST 11/18/14

And here I thought drinks were included at ATC parties. :)


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re: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review

Posted by: castro 09:04 pm EST 11/17/14
In reply to: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review - T.B._Admin. 08:00 pm EST 11/17/14

I really felt bad that I didn't like this Side Show. Matthew Murray has really helped me to understand why


reply to this message | reply to first message

Look on the bright side...

Posted by: PatrickHSF 08:59 pm EST 11/17/14
In reply to: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review - T.B._Admin. 08:00 pm EST 11/17/14

At least you get to see this and other shows for free.


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re: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review

Posted by: larickman 08:52 pm EST 11/17/14
In reply to: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review - T.B._Admin. 08:00 pm EST 11/17/14

Ok, I did'nt like it either, nor did I like the original, but the last person I trust to review a play is Matthew Murray.


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re: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review

Posted by: MikeR 08:54 pm EST 11/17/14
In reply to: re: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review - larickman 08:52 pm EST 11/17/14

Really? I trust him completely, even when I don't agree.


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re: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review

Posted by: larickman 08:57 pm EST 11/17/14
In reply to: re: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review - MikeR 08:54 pm EST 11/17/14

I can only surmise from his reviews is that he hates the theatre.


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re: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review

Posted by: enoch10 10:47 pm EST 11/17/14
In reply to: re: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review - larickman 08:57 pm EST 11/17/14

>>I can only surmise from his reviews is that he hates the theatre

your comment couldn't illustrate any clearer how some people are able to evaluate properly.

that's why he gets paid for it.


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re: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review

Posted by: MikeR 09:19 pm EST 11/17/14
In reply to: re: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review - larickman 08:57 pm EST 11/17/14

That old canard, again. I can only surmise from this comment that you don't actually read his reviews.

The Last Ship
The River
Machinal
Of Mice and Men
Violet
Twelfth Night/Richard III
Father Comes Home from the Wars
Show Boat
The Wayside Motor Inn

I could go back further, but this should suffice.


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Huh?

Posted by: Genealley 08:53 pm EST 11/17/14
In reply to: re: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review - larickman 08:52 pm EST 11/17/14

But you agree?


reply to this message | reply to first message

re: Huh?

Posted by: larickman 09:03 pm EST 11/17/14
In reply to: Huh? - Genealley 08:53 pm EST 11/17/14

Yeah. And the original was far from "vibrant". I personally don't like the musical, but wouldn't go to the lengths that MM does to belittle the artists like he always does.


reply to this message | reply to first message

As Frankenfurter says:

Posted by: Genealley 09:12 pm EST 11/17/14
In reply to: re: Huh? - larickman 09:03 pm EST 11/17/14

"How nice for you." :)


reply to this message | reply to first message

Yeah...I pretty much agree

Posted by: Genealley 08:49 pm EST 11/17/14
In reply to: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review - T.B._Admin. 08:00 pm EST 11/17/14

Safe, bland performances. Baffling revisions.

If it ain't broken...

(fire away...)


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re: Yeah...I pretty much agree

Posted by: wmdmcree 08:51 pm EST 11/17/14
In reply to: Yeah...I pretty much agree - Genealley 08:49 pm EST 11/17/14

Sorry, same here. If I could write as well, I would have written that review.


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re: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review

Posted by: KingSpeed 08:49 pm EST 11/17/14
In reply to: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review - T.B._Admin. 08:00 pm EST 11/17/14

Dear God, Matthew. Ugh.


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Ugh...exactly... nm

Posted by: Genealley 08:50 pm EST 11/17/14
In reply to: re: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review - KingSpeed 08:49 pm EST 11/17/14

nm


reply to this message | reply to first message

OUCH !!!! nmi

Posted by: UWS_JIM 08:44 pm EST 11/17/14
In reply to: NEW - SIDE SHOW - Talkin' Broadway's Review - T.B._Admin. 08:00 pm EST 11/17/14

Nmi


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