Anyone finding Matilda underwhelming?

I wasn't expecting much before I got into Shubert, but OMG I should've expected much less. The book is a mess. You don't solve the plot conflict by ridiculously inserting superpower that comes from nowhere and isn't logically explained when the story is set in a perfectly normal world (at least that's what it seems like to me, and I haven't read the book). The sound, at least in today's matinee, was HORRIBLE. I was sitting in the center of 9th Row Orchestra but still had a hard time understanding what they were talking about on stage. As for the audience, most kids were really polite and didn't make as sound when the light was dark, but you could from time to time hear them asking their parents questions. Some parents were bored and guess what, they took out their precious shining little screens or even started conversations with their kids. Indeed miracles. I know a lot of people love Matilda, but what I saw today did not even match up with my normal expectation of a kiddie show and the experience of seeing one.

I solved in 10 mins and have not read the book or seen the movie

Yes. I find it to be similar to Billy Elliot (with a better score), in that they are both technically well done, well produced shows but they don't inspire me, they don't make me feel anything and in fact they leave me a little bored. I am aware that I'm not the target audience though.

I saw it on tour and thought it was terrific, despite the sound problems. I do wish there wasn't so much schtick with the gangsters at the end, but the rest of the show was superb on every level. At some point it'd be awesome to see a more intimate, toned-down production, which I think could bring out another side of the show, as opposed to the current production's occasionally overwhelming cartoonishness.

I do know quite a few people who were underwhelmed with Matilda. I was pretty underwhelmed the first time I saw it but I am someone who goes to see things more than once as a rule, and the more I saw it, the less underwhelmed I became...and I have enjoyed it more each time. Now I would be embarrassed to say how many times I have seen it.

I do think the superpower element should show up earlier in the show - as opposed to just completely out of nowhere - which in fact is not really out of nowhere, it's supposed to be Matilda exploding when she just can't take it anymore and this is what happens...so I get it. But it does seem a little odd when it happens.

I did find it completely impossible to understand the first time I went - which is why I tried it again after I became familiar with the CD and learned a lot of the lyrics before I went back. That helped a lot. But the sound has always been an issue (my first time in the rear balcony, I missed half the show)...and there are days its better than others but it's not consistent.

Enjoyed it but liked other less celebrated musicals a little bit more.

Yes.

I haven't seen the show itself but the cast recordin bored me, I just didn't think it was a very good score. The rhyming is dreadful. But a majority of people on this board love it so maybe it must be seen to be loved.

I too disliked it. I love the book, but haven't liked the movie or any version of the musical.

i actually felt more emotion from Matilda than kinky boots. I think Matilda has more substance and more of a story and it means something. There is a purpose in telling the story of Matilda. The message is to stand up to the bullies and be confidant. Maybe it's just me, because I've been through harsh bullying, so much I almost killed myself, so I just connect with Matilda easily. As for kinky boots I didn't understand the purpose or the desire in telling it's story. I had no sympathy for the characters what so ever.

I hated it. I found found the book childish and the music not memorable. And though they won't admit it publicly, there are quite a few people in the industry who are happy to see it go (the Shuberts were watching those grosses meticulously).

And audience reactions was divided. People either really love it or people really hate it. Middle ground is a very rare reaction.

I saw it at the Ahmanson in Los Angeles a few months ago. It really didn't do anything for me, but could tell most of the audience was loving it. I thought the physical production and performances were really strong. To each his own. I accept that I'm in the minority here. Glad I saw it. Wouldn't see it again.

"Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" at the Ahmanson tomorrow night. Fingers crossed!

Put me in the camp that absolutely loves Matilda. It's a rare example of a British musical that can actually rival great American musicals. The score in particular is witty and clever (don't know how someone could hate the rhyming). The lyrics for "The Smell of Rebellion" and "School Song" are so good they borderline needless showing off!

I really think it deserved the Tony for Best Score over Kinky Boots. I enjoyed Kinky Boots, but that is a feel-good musical with a catchy pop score done well. I don't think there is a single song in that score that made me think "oh wow, that's an interesting way to use music or lyrics to tell a story".