King Kong on Broadway - Review & Discount Code

3/2/2019

US Japan Fam reviews King Kong on Broadway

I want to start this post off with a HUGE THANK YOU to King Kong Broadway, for providing us tickets in exchange for this post, but moreover, for providing my husband and I with a much needed (and LONG overdue) date night! And a thrilling one, at that!!

King Kong officially opened up on Broadway in November 2018 and has been receiving rave reviews, and I can now say personally, for good reason! Before heading to the show, I checked out their website and Instagram feed, but frankly, wasn't quite sure what to expect. A broadway musical... about King Kong? What the heck??? But now I'm here to tell you what you can expect: to be absolutely thrilled, breathless, enthralled... I could go on! And it starts from the moment you arrive at the theater.

Their logo, with the heroine's silhouette within King Kong's shadow, love it! They've got it shining on the stage curtain when you walk in as well, so don't miss the opportunity to run up and take a photo in front of it as we and countless others did! They also have great merchandise, even water bottles with King Kong on them!

The story takes place in 1931, during the Great Depression, and we are quickly introduced to our beautiful and brave heroine, aspiring actress Ann (played by Christiani Pitts), who goes from dreaming of being Queen of the City to sleeping in Central Park and waiting in the soup line. She runs into her perceived savior, Carl (played by Eric William Morris), a film maker, who takes her on an incredible journey across the seas to Skull Island.

Now, I want to pause here a moment to go over the incredible stage. How they were able to transform it from the streets of New York City to bobbing up and down across the ocean - they actually build the bow of the ship in front of your eyes and have it on hydraulics (I'm assuming?). AMAZING!! You actually feel like you're sailing across the seas with them!

On Skull Island, Ann is captured by King Kong, then saved by him, and finally her crew captures him and transports him back to NYC for exhibition. Because, it's all about the money, isn't it? This is the part of the story we're all familiar with. His fate is doomed, of course, which is utterly tragic and I have to admit I was very close to tears at the end. But the way they transform the characters, use King Kong's demise to inspire the characters and the audience to do the right thing rather than the easy or greedy thing. It's truly beautiful! The final song is upbeat and helps you leave the show feeling alive and excited rather than walking out bawling over the epic destruction of such a beautiful beast.

Speaking of the beast. He was basically a modern day puppet. Hung from strings, and operated by a group of hooded puppeteers on the stage and above (taking a bow, above). You could see them climb up his back and jump down making Kong's arm raise quickly and dramatically as his ROAR boomed across the theater. It was simply fascinating to watch him. They somehow figured out how to have him running across the jungle or streets of NYC, with exciting techno music, Kong staying in one spot but the screen behind him flying by, puppeteers moving his arms and legs in running motion. Your mind knew it wasn't actually running, but you simply couldn't believe otherwise. He is fast and ferocious, and this crew is nothing but masterful in its portrayal!!

Kong's face was also spectacular. His eyes had soul, and so much emotion came through in the subtle motions made by the robotics team backstage. He's obviously not a real live gorilla, or is he?! Sometimes I almost forgot.

The story, the music, the dancing, the acting - all top notch, holding its own on Broadway and definitely well worth your time and money. But King Kong himself, he is the show stopper. He is what makes this a truly unique and unforgettable experience!!

So, make haste and grab your tickets today!! Get $55 off with code KKPVM129 here through 9/1/19! One final note, though. I personally wouldn't recommend this show for young children (under 4 years not permitted in the theater, but I would say under 7 may get afraid during certain scenes). I mean, I'm a grown woman and found some scenes downright terrifying - that roar, man, not something you soon forget!! Here's a great montage: