The Hills of California Show Poster

The Hills of California Reviews

Jez Butterworth's new family drama arrives on Broadway direct from London.

4.5
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critics reviews Critics’ Reviews (3)

A collection of our favorite reviews from professional news sources.
The New York Times

"A relentlessly entertaining new play."

The New York Times

Jesse Green

Variety

"A dream of a Broadway drama."

Variety

Frank Rizzo

"I never wanted this riveting show to end."

Chicago Tribune

Chris Jones

customer reviews

Customer Reviews (7)

4.5
Score average from verified show reviews by customers who’ve bought tickets from Broadway.com.
5 stars
71%
4 stars
14%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
14%
1 star
0%
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Smokey Hills
"A spiraling downward "Gypsy" without the score. While appreciating the cast, set design and unraveling of emotions, there were problems. Difficult to catch much of the dialogue due to heavy British (Cockney, etc) accents - especially during the screaming sessions. I heard many people around me saying they missed what the actors were saying, and we were in the middle orchestra. And the smoking by the cast - obviously not real cigarettes - was still annoying. Our clothes reeked of the smell. And it was cough inducing. Having several characters chain smoke was not necessary to the plot or to understanding the character. (If this is some form of "scent machine" just stop using it. ) High praise to "young" and "adult" actors who hit the mark with their harmonies. All the female cast members were excellent. And their male counterparts did what they could with the little time they were on stage. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 24, 2024

About The Hills of California

In the sweltering heat of a 1970s summer, the Webb sisters return to their childhood home in Blackpool, an English seaside town, where their mother Veronica lies dying upstairs. Gloria and Ruby now have families of their own. Jill never left. And Joan? No one’s heard from her in twenty years… but Jill insists that their mother’s favorite won’t let them down this time.

The run-down Sea View Guest House is haunted by bittersweet memories of amusement park rides and overdue bills. Back in the 1950s, each night the girls rehearse their singing act, managed by their fiercely loving single mom. But when a record producer offers a shot at fame and a chance to escape, it will cost them all dearly. With stunning design and glorious music, The Hills of California is “a rich, funny, brilliantly layered drama.” (Financial Times).

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