War Paint

See it if You want to see two legends on stage

Don't see it if You don't like musicals

See it if you want to see Patti & Christine, still at the top of their game.

Don't see it if you expect any dramatic arc, compelling narrative or campy fun. There's no story, so there was no reason for this musical to be written.

Also This show has a lot of the right elements to have been a great musical. But if the lead characters never actually met in real life, why put them together (without fictionalizing the story) on the stage? High-power stars + great sets & costumes + fun choreography + mediocre score + pointless book = lipstick on a pig.... Read more Read less

See it if who wouldn't want to see combo of formidable Lupone and Ebersole in leading roles?

Don't see it if feels that you were seeing an "old" revival; predictable; mawkish ending; forgettable songs

Also After winning lottery, poor seats in back of theater assigned without substantial discount to retail cost. Is this a good way to build goodwill? Contrast Hamilton lottery that seats winners in first two rows at $10 cost.... Read more Read less

See it if You love the two stars, or would like to see a female-empowerment musical for adults (that isn't Wicked).

Don't see it if You think this will be like a musical version of "Feud". It's not campy, and the story and music never truly excite.

See it if savor 2 grand dames of the stage portraying 2 grand dames of the fashion industry.Wonderful staging and costumes.Great portrayals.

Don't see it if you have trouble understanding accents. I had real trouble with Lupone's accent in the first act. Chrisine was very easy to understand.

See it if Lupone/Ebersole go together like peaches and cream. Interesting story of the Rubinstein/Arden rivalry and women at the top of their game.

Don't see it if Unlike the talent, the score is not memorable. As the two women did not mingle in reality, there was little interaction between the leads.

See it if You want to see Lupone and Ebersole be awesome. The singing is great, as is the staging and acting.

Don't see it if A strong story is a requirement to your theater. It felt like it dragged, and didn't really go anywhere. Also, I don't care about makeup.

See it if you absolutely love the divas of the musical stage. A lot of detail was lost in the heavy accent Ms. Lupone used for her character.

Don't see it if you are not a musical fan, and don't care about the divas. This was just another musical which relied on big stars to sell tickets.

Also I expected more. While the singing was excellent, much of the story line was lost in the words that were unintelligible. Costumes were beautiful . Would recommend seeing it only if you get a really good discount.... Read more Read less

See it if Someone gives you the tickets

Don't see it if If you have to pay to see it.

See it if It's worth it to hear Christine and Patti alone. The costumes are great and the quick changes amazing.

Don't see it if You have no interest in cosmetics or you want a plot with more depth.

See it if you love LuPone & Ebersole.I do, and it was worth going just to see & hear them. But the play meanders, doesn't tell enough of the story.

Don't see it if you are expecting a fully fleshed out story.This isn't Evita or Grey Gardens. Brilliant performances, but no book.We get hints about them.

See it if I waited until it was almost closed, but am I glad I saw War Paint. Their voices are both splendid but very different.

Don't see it if Both have charisma for days The same creative team as Grey Gardens, but the score and story are not as strong. A master class in stardom,

Also Sub-plot of old-style homophobia made me snicker. I once stayed in Elizabeth Arden's Palm Springs spa after it became a gay hot spot. So there,... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in stories about women in power or about cosmetic companies growth and competition.

Don't see it if Elizabeth Arden & Elene Rubinstine's stories do not interest or you are not interested in women power struggles.

See it if you want to see two great performances and learn more about two important women, although this is the water downed Lifetime TV version.

Don't see it if you expect a nuanced version of this important story.

See it if you want to see two great musical stars working together to make the most of a mundane book. Visual cupcake. costumes and sets.

Don't see it if You want real exploration of these dynamic women.

See it if you love, love, love Patti and Christine, they shine! As do John Dosset and Douglas Sills.

Don't see it if you like a well scripted book that actually has the energy of a "war"

See it if you'd be into a show that really should've been called "Paint Drying." What a waste of Broadway legends. So bad I'm actually angry about it.

Don't see it if 2 1/2 hours devoted to face cream doesn't sound like a good time. It's not. See this, & bitterly regret the nap you could've taken instead.

See it if you want to see 2 great ladies of the musical stage, especially Lupone, show their chops. They're terrific.

Don't see it if musicals are not your thing.

See it if War paint is a great showcase for Patti Lupone and Christine Ebersole. Fun and upbeat production!

Don't see it if If you prefer dramas.

See it if dying to see Patti Lupone steal a show and Christine Ebersole not doing poorly, either. This is a women's club: many issues still resonate.

Don't see it if seeking modern, fresh, edgy work. The rivalry between the two cosmetic juggernauts is rooted in history in a way that often feels dated.

Also Lupone and Ebersole make this show, and there is plenty of pluck, sass, and wit in their performances (at least three times, Lupone's delivery of certain cracking lines had the audience roused and applauding before she could continue). If you like "classic films" starring great divas (I do), you will enjoy this. The opening Lupone song, with her thick Helena Rubinstein accent, was a bit hard to make out, and frustrating. But the rest of the songs, while not particularly catchy, are understandable and entertain. I expected a bit more spectacle (these are cosmetic queens, after all), and it's an aesthetically-pleasing set. Still, the dancing is lacking and could have been kicked-up a notch; catchier songs for both leads would have been incredible (perhaps a refrain for each of them punctuating the show, like a theme-song?), and a little more Davis/Crawford-level intensity would not be unwelcome. Still, I enjoyed learning of two entrepreneurial women, as well as the historical aspects.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy watching two legendary divas take the stage and sing their hearts out. Costumes, staging and supporting roles were great, too.

Don't see it if you don't like to hear divas sing.

Also This show was fabulous from start to finish. It would have gotten 100% except that at times Patti Lupone's accent made it a bit difficult to understand all the lyrics. Nevertheless, both she and Christine Ebersole deliver powerhouse performances. Loved it.... Read more Read less

See it if You have any interest is cosmetics or female empire builders. This is a glam piece, about glam women who created yet more glam--lush!

Don't see it if You don't want a show heavily weighted to the female perspective.

Also Expecting not to like this, imagine my surprise when I couldn't get enough of it! It's a fictional story, but plays so real it's scary, and it's well told, with a gorgeous set and costumes to die for. The two gals don't get in each other's way, and it's rare to see two pros of this magnitude on stage together.

This piece is indeed quite multi-layered--several themes going on with enough ups and downs to keep you riveted.

Sadly, Patti LuPone overly accented character rendered her dialogue only 75% comprehensible. Nevertheless, every detail was perfect. I consider this the best musical I've seen in many months.... Read more Read less

See it if you worship at the altar of either diva. Both icons slay & leave it all on the stage. Beautifully staged/choreographed w/great era costumes.

Don't see it if OMG just see the freaking show before it freaking closes! Book IS weak (although very relevant at times), but the show is very entertaining!

Also Seriously. Can't believe I waited so long. Putz.

It's near the end of "Paint's" run, yet both divas' voices are surprisingly in near-perfect form (Lupone's 68, Ebersole's 64). Superb. Very funny seeing Ebersole wear ugly flats (she's 8 inches taller), while Lupone sports cute heels.

You can clearly see Lupone needs that hip-replacement surgery as she hobbles around and holds on to every steady prop that's near her. Be clear, it doesn't take away from her performance at all.

Interestingly enough, at the end of the show... when the 2 aging moguls finally meet face-to-face at the end of their careers... it's Ebersole who hobbles out with the help of a cane, not Lupone. Whether or not this "meeting" actually took place (there's no apparent historical proof it ever occurred), their on-stage banter and subsequent song was like a show-stopping Act I intermission send-off break. Exhilarating.

Extremely rare to see two iconic stars of their caliber, together in one show. Worth experiencing!... Read more Read less

See it if wish to see two great theatre stars doing what they do well with music much better than anticipated

Don't see it if need more a story/book - though they did try

See it if you are interested in the history and rivalry of 2 cosmetic giants during the 1930s to 1950s in a beautifully costumed production.

Don't see it if you don't like musical biographies with a lot of biography thrown at us with many songs performed in a bit of a confusing presentation.