New York ? Paul Newman received better reviews than the revival of “Our Town,” which has brought him back to Broadway for the first time in nearly 40 years.

The 77-year-old Newman plays the Stage Manager, who anchors the Thornton Wilder classic, reciting reams of statistics, facts and trivia about a mythical New Hampshire town called Grover’s Corners.

Writing in The New York Times, Ben Brantley described the revival as “lukewarm,” and while praising Newman’s self-effacement, said the production “may provide the most modest performance ever by a major American star on a Broadway stage.”

Linda Winer of Newsday said, “There is a summer-theater quality to much of (director) James Naughton’s flat but busy production.” However, she found a lot to admire in Newman’s performance, calling it one “without vanity, without pretense ” brisk, comfortable, personable without the usual sentimental manipulation.”

And Charles Isherwood in Variety wrote, “the stardust that Newman casually trails across the stage ” virtually despite himself ” is all that glitters in this modest, mediocre production.”

Not that the reviews matter. “Our Town,” which closes Jan. 26, is almost completely sold out and already has recouped its $1.5 million production costs.