NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT Reviews

[broadwaydevil]

Backstage is mostly negative

http://www.backstage.com/bso/reviews-ny-theatre-broadway/ny-review-nice-work-if-you-can-get-it-1006861752.story

"You’d think that any show involving the talents of Matthew Broderick, Kelli O’Hara, Kathleen Marshall, and the brothers Gershwin would be a sure-fire Broadway stunner, wouldn’t you? Unfortunately, “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” despite a few bright spots, fails to hold together as a glittering entertainment, unlike previous efforts such as “My One and Only” and “Crazy for You.”"

[BroadwayMan5]

5 reviews so far (Variety, EW, AM, PhiladelphiaInq. and Backstage) say (or imply) that Broderick is the weak link of the cast. He'll have a hard time getting a Tony nomination.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Why? The critics don't nominate.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

I don't think anyone expected him to get nominated anyway....

[broadwaydevil]

Newsday is positive!

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/theater/it-is-nice-work-if-you-can-get-it-1.3679792

"Call it a Franken-musical, stitched together out of body parts from different shows. But "Nice Work If You Can Get It," which has been sewn together with a grab bag of wondrous Gershwin songs and a preposterous new-old bootlegging comedy, is a happy creature -- loose and larky and altogether comfortable in its snappily dressed patchwork skin."

[jayinchelsea]

I don't know why Broderick keeps getting hired. THE PRODUCERS was a one-off for him; his other performances (including an insanely miscast Harold Hill on TV) feel like walk-throughs.

[CurtainPullDowner]

I expect him to get nominated.

But it's a tough year. Several critics ARE saying nice things about him. The way people feel about LOF, it's Ezparsa who should be praying.

[broadwaydevil]

I think he has a good shot.

To me, Steve Kazee, Jeremy Jordan, Norm Lewis, and Danny Burstein should be locks. I really think the last spot is between Esparza and Broderick. Broderick has still received solid notices in a show that so far seems pretty well received. A nomination for him would be far from surprising.

[LaCageAuxFollesFan]

I don't know...these reviews are not looking like a Broderick nomination to me. Kelly, Judy and Michael, for sure.

I think (after they critics have their say on LOF) the nominees for lead actor might look like:

Jeremey Jordan - Newsies
Danny Burstien - Follies
Ron Raines - Follies
Steve Kazee - Once
Norm Lewis - Porgy & Bess

MB and RE should see themselves sitting on the sidelines based on the performances I saw them both give. jmo.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

I would imagine he would be shut out. With Ron Raines, Norm Lewis, Danny Burstein, Ricky Martin (if deemed leading), Steve Kazee, Jeremy Jordan, and Raúl Esparza, I'd imagine O'Hara and Kaye will get most of the awards attention as far as performances go in NICE WORK. But maybe that's just me.

[broadwaydevil]

The New York Times is up and Brantley is mixed

http://theater.nytimes.com/2012/04/25/theater/reviews/nice-work-if-you-can-get-it-at-imperial-theater.html?adxnnl=1&pagewanted=2&adxnnlx=1335319433-ho80UGlO+xXVaBG2Warvog

"In another season, perhaps, this good-looking, amiable production would be a must-have ticket. As it is, I found myself thinking of another work about bathtub gin and flappers running wild, Billy Wilder’s great movie farce of the Roaring Twenties, “Some Like It Hot.” An alternative title for “Nice Work” might be “Some Like It Lukewarm."

[broadwaydevil]

USA Today gave it 3 out of 4 stars and is mixed

"True, Nice Work If You Can Get It (* * * out of four) doesn't use an inane story line to simply string together a beloved band or singer's catalog or a bunch of disparate rock chestnuts. Instead, it uses an inane story line to string together the timeless songs of George and Ira Gershwin.

This distinction shouldn't make Nice Work, which opened Tuesday at the Imperial Theatre, any more encouraging to people who care about keeping musical theater fresh and vital. But director/choreographer Kathleen Marshall and a stellar cast ensure that the show is as charming in execution as it is disheartening in theory."

http://www.usatoday.com/life/theater/reviews/story/2012-04-23/nice-work-if-you-can-get-it-review/54516066/1

[chanel]

Villagevoice.com mixed.

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/dailymusto/2012/04/matthew_broderi.php

[broadwaydevil]

While we wait for more reviews...

Does NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT have a shot at the Tony for best musical? It's looking like it will be the second best-reviewed new musical of the season and it may be a safer and more tour-appropriate choice than ONCE. I haven't seen NICE WORK yet so I'll withhold judgment on the race but am wondering what others think.

[bjh2114]

I am so glad Brantley mentioned Thompson's Madeline Kahn impression. That is what I was thinking the ENTIRE time.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

I think the general consensus is that NEWSIES will win. I really, really hope ONCE does though. As I (and mostly everyone else on this board) have said before, it's an infinitely better show. And, for what it's worth, I thought it was more entertaining than NEWSIES as well.

I really doubt NICE WORK has a shot at winning, but it'll surely be nominated.

[dreaming]

Newsies or Once will take it I think. In my heart, I'd like to see Once snag it. It's a great show with a big heart.

[broadwaydevil]

If it's between ONCE and NEWSIES I really hope ONCE takes it. ONCE is one of the best new musicals I've seen in a long time. NEWSIES isn't bad but I really don't think it deserves the title of best musical. I agree the consensus seems to be it's between those two, I was just wondering if NICE WORK had any chance (though I assume the answer's a no.)

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Based on these reviews, I would doubt it. I would imagine their best shot at winning a major award would be for the book (though I'd think ONCE will take this award) or for Judy Kaye.


I really don't think it deserves the title of best musical
If only this mattered in the Tony voters' minds...what show ACTUALLY deserves the title of Best Musical of the Year.

[broadwaydevil]

^Sad, but true. Besides 2011 (where I was conflicted and am still not sure if Mormon deserved it over THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS), the show I thought deserved it most hasn't won since 2003.

[broadwaydevil]

Bloomberg Businessweek is mostly negative (1.5 out of 4 stars)

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-04-24/matthew-broderick-lumbers-through-gershwins-nice-work

"The result is mostly a flop-sweat inducing affair. However appealing Broderick and O’Hara are individually, as romantic leads, they’re weak sparks on damp leaves.

Fortunately, a pair of first-rate second bananas -- Judy Kaye and Michael McGrath -- partly salvage this misguided enterprise."

[Jonwo]

Both Nice Work and Newsies has touring potential especially Newsies which could tour without any major changes, I think it's between Once and Newsies for best musical, I would be happy if either show wins but Once deserves it more.

[broadwaydevil]

The New York Observer is a pan .

http://www.observer.com/2012/04/nice-work-if-you-can-get-it-rex-reed-gershwi/

"With nothing on its tiny mind but pulchritude and parody, Nice Work If You Can Get It, a dumping ground of cornball clichés woodenly directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall with tinned arrangements of early tunes by George and Ira Gershwin, has landed on Broadway at the Imperial with a mechanical thud. Except for one or two exceptions, it is so vulgar, boring and stupid that it will probably be a hit."

[Auggie27]

These reviews aren't damning, even if they are not filled with glowing superlatives. No one has seemed to take serious notice (until the critics arrived) of what a fine cast this really is -- Judy Kaye and Estelle Parsons in the same company? -- and that's one of the elements in this production: it's a homegrown, New York-centric piece of theater. This show seemingly has a built-in audience. Maybe it's just me, but its profile seems curiously under the radar. Maybe because it's technically all new, but with an jukebox collection of old songs and set in a vintage that suggests a revisal rather than brand new creation. New marketing challenges await this production tomorrow. Many good notices, many viable pull quotes, but a show that still seems to be without a specific, identifiable character. Someone needs to find a strong way to reach its target audience.

[broadwaydevil]

^Agreed. The reviews aren't spectacular but are mixed enough overall to give them some good pull quotes and hopefully have a solid run. I think it's been under the radar because it's marketing hasn't been particularly aggressive. Besides some ads on Broadway World I haven't seen anything and it hasn't performed on any television shows yet. I think it's also the show (based on source material, cast, and the way it's being promoted) that appeals to an older crowd that just won't generate the same internet buzz and obsessive fans as a show, like say, Newsies. That doesn't mean they won't buy tickets and give the show a nice run, but it's never going to be the madness that goes on at the Nederlander.

[Copperfield2]

The New York Times review is a pan, not mixed. Brantley says that only 15 minutes of 150 minutes of the show recapture the joy of the old musicals. He does like O'Hara and some of the supporting cast but he doesn't like Broderick.

He doesn't even have much good to say about Kathleen Marshall and he loved Anything Goes.

If the show runs, this is a show that may play better when Broderick leaves the cast.