Into The Light

[James885]

I came across this video compilation of the some of the reviews of this short-lived flop and I'm really intrigued. I remember reading about this show in Ken Mandelbaum's book a few years ago. Judging from this video, it looked like it was an hilariously bad piece of work!

Did anyone see it?
Into The Light - reviews

[After Eight]

It was very bad, in an embarrassing way, not a funny one.

Poor Dean Jones.

[JoeKv99]

Don't believe the critics- they are all ignorant! It was spectacular- far too good for the common swine to appreciate. We need a revival ASAP- but it will, of course, not be NEARLY as good as this incandescent production was.

[Jordan Catalano]

Denzel could do it!

[best12bars]

I saw it in previews, and I liked it WAY more than I expected. It had some embarrassing flaws, but it also had a riveting central performance by Dean Jones, and some compelling music and story along the way.

It wasn't "brilliant" but it didn't "suck" either.

Is there such a thing as a third option?

I don't think so in this bipolar world we live in.

"You either got it, or you ain't," as they say.

No in-between.

[Jordan Catalano]

I'm not going to say that I watched it a couple of months ago because, as always, that would be impossible, but I thought it sucked.

[best12bars]

Well, you weren't "there," so you're just a bootleg-watchin' beeeyotch with bad style sense and crooked teeth.

... and the horse you rode in on!!!!

Did I mention the "imaginary mime friend" was an all-time low in Broadway musicals?

And that's sayin' something.

[Jordan Catalano]

Well, I NEVER!

[best12bars]

... saw the actual show?

Duh.

[Jordan Catalano]

I <3 U.

[best12bars]

Back atcha.

Bootleggah!!!!

[James885]

Thanks for sharing! Yeah the mime character seems like it would be a bad idea from the get go.

[NoName3]

The night I saw it in previews (yes, I saw it live; a friend had comped me), the mime was wearing traditional whiteface, à la Marcel Marceau. Near the top of the second act, Danny Gerard (the neglected little boy whose only friend was the imaginary mime) wandered onstage, followed by the mime. A huge audible groan rolled over the house, accompanied by boos and catcalls, topped by someone in the orchestra who shouted at the stage:

"Oh NO! Not that MIME again!"

It was that kind of evening.

[NoName3]

Did I mention the nuns who hiked up their habits to show some leg while they tapped?

[guettboy]

I love that the last review ended with the reviewer saying "but there's a new Marvin Hamlisch musical called Smile that looks promising."
womp womp.