Monday, November 30, 2009

Zero Hour reviews so far.

The New York Times was marvelous:

“Singularly captivating. Zero Hour is a success. Brochu is the spitting image of the bearish Mostel, down to the strands of hair barely covering his head. His wildly expressive gestures are particularly spot on. It brings Mostel back to life, just the way his fans want him.”

http://theater.nytimes.com/2009/11/30/theater/reviews/30zero.html?ref=theater

The Associated Press was wonderful:

“Very funny. Brochu's living restoration has brought Mostel's larger-than-life

personality back into the spotlight for a laugh-filled, much-welcomed presentation.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20091124/us-theater-review-zero-hour/

The New Yorker was a Rave:

“It all flows and provides plenty of big laughs as well as hushed drama. After a while, you stop caring whether a particular line is Brochu’s or Mostel’s; all you know is that you’ve been privy to the work of a great comedian.”

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/events/theatre/2009/12/07/091207goth_GOAT_theatre?currentPage=2

Variety was terrific:

“Frequently funny and always engaging, Brochu evokes the kind of prickle

on the back of the neck usually delivered by David Lynch movies.”

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117941652.html?categoryid=33&cs=1

Theatermania was amazing:

“Brochu’s performance is tantamount to a reincarnation. From head to toe, he's got it right. Often belly-laugh funny, there's a show-business saying that it takes a star to play a star. By that reckoning, mark down Jim Brochu as a truly big star.”

http://www.theatermania.com/off-broadway/reviews/11-2009/zero-hour_22988.html

NY Theatre Scene was sensational:

“Brochu not only takes on Mostel's story, but he literally climbs into his skin with tufts of white hair, fierce eyes, and Mostel’s huge bulk. But it is the portrayal, not just the surface attributes, which is so convincing.”

http://nytheaterscene.com/RevEZeroHour.html

Backstage gave it a Critics Pick:

“Never less than engrossing, Brochu not only creates an astonishing physical resemblance, capturing Mostel's distinctive body language and vocal patterns; he goes deep under the skin to reveal the man's complicated psyche and conflicted soul.”

http://www.backstage.com/bso/reviews-ny-theatre-off-broadway/zero-hour-1004045006.story

The Wolf Entertainment Guide was over the top:

“Electrifying! The amazing performance hold’s one’s attention and engenders appreciation both for what Brochu has accomplished and for the special character and talented performer that Mostel was.”

http://www.wolfentertainmentguide.com/ViewPage.aspx?cat=theater

The Examiner was off the charts:

“Zero Hour is not to be missed. This production is a triumph of writing and performance and I can't decide which is more brilliant. If you are a fan of the theater, of great performance, masterful writing and top notch direction, Zero Hour is a must see for this theater season.”

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-16475-Manhattan-Theater-Examiner~y2009m11d24-Zero-Hour-is-not-to-be-missed

A Rave from BroadwayWorld:

“The scenario allows us to see Mostel as the public remembers him; an outrageously larger than life figure who is continually performing and will do anything for a laugh. It is brilliant, defiant and highly entertaining.”

http://losangeles.broadwayworld.com/blogs/viewblog.cfm?blogid=2601

Soundoff.Com Reviews gave us FOUR STARS:

If heavy burdens are all Mostel had in his closet, Brochu certainly wears them well. His shortness of breath, the flashes of anger in the eyes, the need to grab his despair by the shoulders and shake until he comes to his senses, all these come to life in Brochu’s veins. Through writing that is colorful, witty, well-paced, and organic, and acting that is masterfully precise - in Brochu’s capable hands, Mostel is a work of art.

http://web.me.com/writa1/tvsoundoff/Broadway/Entries/2009/11/27_Give_this_Zero_a_Four_%28star_review%29.html

The Curtain Up review:

“Zero Hour is an informed, absorbing, highly entertaining one-person play written by and also starring Jim Brochu who stops just short of bringing Mostel back to life.”

http://www.curtainup.com/zerohour.html

Upstage-Downstage Theatre Reviews Says:

“Let me be unambiguous: Zero Hour is the best one-person play since I Am My Own Wife. It is as rich and compelling a story as you will see on or off Broadway right now.”

http://upstage-downstage.blogspot.com/2009/11/danny-kaye-zero-mostel-together-again.html

The Third New York Guide wrote:

“Zero Hour is one of those absolutely striking one-man shows, this time about Zero Mostel. Brochu is amazing, nothing short of sensational as Mostel. He captures Mostel's spirit, his explosive, larger than life anger, and his incredible, side-splitting sense of humor.”

http://thethirdnewyork.blogspot.com/2009/11/zero-hour.html

The Opening Night Party was Covered at Broadway Gossip:

http://www.timessquaregossip.com/2009/11/broadways-zero-hour-bash-at-sardis.html

And on Playbill:

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/134823-PHOTO-CALL-Zero-Hour-Celebrates-Opening-Night

The Pre-Opening Article by Peter Filichia was very touching:

http://www.theatermania.com/peterfilichia/index.cfm?mode=viewEntry&id=0DA0952A-2219-54E7-B90076FF0805B34D

3 comments:

Ken McPherson said...

Geez.... When you see the reviews in digest form it's rather breathtaking.

Jimmy deserves this, big time!!!

DavidEhrenstein said...

MAZEL TOV!!!!!!

Debbi (in San Diego) said...

Wow! Jim has to be floating on air! What wonderful and well-deserved reviews. I am so happy for you both:) So...when does Zero Hour go to Broadway?