Oscar E Moore

This review will be short.  And not very sweet.  Be forewarned.  If you intend to pay big bucks to see a disappointing, not very charismatic George Clooney endlessly smoking, live and in person on stage of the Winter Garden Theatre in this remake of his pet project film/ documentary of the same title that he directed, and co-wrote within Grant Heslov in 2005, think twice or maybe just forget it completely.

A deadpan, dull Mr. Clooney as Edward R. Murrow can be almost seen behind his desk, smoking the ever-present cigarette while talking into a CBS camera that is shown on a large drop-down screen.

It seems that huge videos appearing in live theatre are the real stars on Broadway this season.  With varying degrees of success.

This less than riveting, sleep-inducing production directed by David Cromer is being advertised as a “strictly limited engagement” for a very good reason.  It’s a dud.  It doesn’t deliver the expected goods.  Even with mega star George Clooney.

You would be better off renting the movie if you really need to relive the “RED SCARE COMMUNISM” experience of Edward R. Murrow, the steadfast journalist, going face to face or head-to-head with Joe McCarthy on Murrow’s ancient CBS television program SEE IT NOW way back in the 1950’s.  Although considering the recent turmoil and goings-on with President Trump not much has changed.

Be that as it may, back to Mr. Clooney who is not only making his Broadway debut but also starring as Mr. Murrow and doing double duty as the playwright along with the above-mentioned Grant Heslov.

However, writing a screen play is not the same as writing a Broadway script.  They are two completely different animals and should be treated as such.

The usually excellent director David Cromer is of little help in this department.  Staging his large cast as if it was the middle of rush hour at Grand Central.  It’s a cacophony of people and movement.  Making it difficult to differentiate one character from another resulting in confusion.

We lose focus.  We tune out.  At least I did.  Resulting in our not caring for these people on the elaborate CBS Studio set at Grand Central circa 1954 by Scott Pask.

It’s a three-ring circus that rightfully should focus on Murrow, McCarthy (appearance courtesy of old film clips) and William F. Paley (a fine Paul Gross) head honcho of CBS.

With all the constant cigarette smoke on stage (that smells) I am surprised that smoke alarms are not set off!

And then we have a jazz combo with its girl singer Ella covering scene changes and interrupting our already wandering concentration. It just doesn’t work.  Sorry.

With all due respect I give you A-Plus for your understandably good intentions and C-Minus for execution.

Good night and good luck.  Good Grief.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

100 minutes.  NO INTERMISSION.

PHOTOS: Emilio Madrid

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