Exactly. Popularity can play a role and has countless times. And calling someone else's opinion invalid is completely unnecessary. Once other people's opinions lose their validity then the whole point of healthy debate in these threads is gone.
It is one of my personally favorites and one I stand by for its music and themes presented in the book. The only reason people give it a bad reputation is because it's popular. If it was a barely seen niche show it would be highly praised. There is a reason it's been here 10 years. It endures.
Was going to get tickets to see The Elephant Man in previews a day or two before the opening. I was wondering how high the risk of getting an understudy was and if I should go a few days after the opening to ensure no understudies? Also, we still get playbills at previews correct?