I've only recently started traveling to NYC to see shows (yay!), but the shows where I disagreed with the critics included: Big Fish Chaplin A Time to Kill
The Scarlet Pimpernel (first version) Legally Blonde (liked it, but truly fell in love with the London production) Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Jane Eyre American Idiot Aspects of Love Big (Broadway, not the tour) Proposals The Dinner Party
And in reverse: Spring Awakening The Producers Dirty Rotten Scoundrels The Last Ship (pre-Broadway) Desire Under the Elms (pre-Broadway)
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
Nano, the Wonen on the Verge thread is one of the most hilarious/disturbing threads I have seen on here, especially that Kyle demon who didn't know anything about how to format writing and when and when not to use caps lock.
"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir
Cinderella- A show that's been torn up for the critics (and some on here), but I enjoyed every second of it for reasons I have already made in the past.
Women on the Verge- Same reasons as others who've enjoyed it for what it was.
Maggie Flynn Purlie Seesaw Mack and Mabel Big Sunset Boulevard A Class Act The Boy from Oz Jane Eyre Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Bullets Over Broadway Rocky The Bridges of Madison County
teresa2: "I loved Cinderella, American Idiot, Ghost, Wicked, Chaplin, Rocky, Bullets Over Broadway, If/Then, Scarlet Pimpernel and a Tale of Two Cities"
I loved If/Then, even when it was still a bit rough around the edges during the previews in DC. I loved the Australian version of Love Never Dies (which I saw in the movie theater), which the critics mostly panned, although some did have kind words for the music itself. And, of course, there is the gem of a review by a VERY well-known reviewer (about a VERY well-known show) that grudgingly admitted that the audience is likely to have fun. The review (in a VERY well-known publication) includes the following excerpts:
"What one finds ... is a characteristic [composer] project -- long on pop professionalism and melody, impoverished of artistic personality and passion -- that the director..., the designer... and the mesmerizing actor ... have elevated quite literally to the roof. [The show] is as much a victory of dynamic stagecraft over musical kitsch as it is a triumph of merchandising uber alles."
Is the reviewer decrying "Spiderman?" How about "Mary Poppins?" Hint: The review date is January 27, 1988. The reviewer is the eminent Frank Rich, writing in the NYT about none other than the multiple Tony winner "The Phantom of the Opera." Unsurprisingly, I don't agree with his assessment even though I envy his ability to skewer a show with such clever turns of phrase. How on earth did Frank Rich not manage to get goosebumps during "Music of the Night?"
I guess ALW sobbed all the way to the bank.
Audrey, the Phantom Phanatic, who nonetheless would rather be Jean Valjean, who knew how to make lemonade out of lemons.
Ghost Legally Blonde Rocky Cinderella Jekyll and Hyde Suddenly Seeking Susan (London) Performers Bring It On We Will Rock You Mary Poppins
I trust the opinions of other folks in line at TDF or in rush lines more than the critics. If someone has liked shows I've liked for similar reasons, their opinion is much more influential than any critic.
Did I get the title wrong? A Tale of Two Cities was the one a few years back with James Barbour and Aaron Lazer correct? The other shows I mentioned I might not have totally loved, but they weren't as bad as the critics made them out to be and I am glad I saw them and enjoyed them. I loved Cinderella with Laura and Santino. I also really loved Aida, Lestat, the Boy from Oz, Spring Awakening, American Idiot, Next to Normal, In the Heights, Wicked, Rocky, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Scarlet Pimpernal and have seen each several times.The only ones I truly disliked/hated that I can recall are Cats, Once, Hedwig, the Producers and Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson.
I saw The People in the Picture and loved it, thought looking back I remember very very little and can concede that they was more'n likely right.
Edit: Forgot to mention Women on the Verge. I didn't exactly love it but Patti doing Invisible remains one of the best things I've ever seen. I just remember not wanting that number to ever be over.
Oh that's fine. I thought it was correct, but as you said it was a short run. I really liked it tho, especially James Barbour, and was able to see it a few times before it closed Another one I liked that was ravaged was Leap of Faith. Saw that a few times also. Two others I thought of that I disliked were the History Boys and Spelling Bee. Wasnt crazy about Bridges or Light in the Piazza either.