BONNIE AND CLYDE only selling tickets until Dec. 30...- Page 7

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/9/11 at 3:10pm

It's a screencap from an email that's included in a blog entry. It'll be better with context. http://thebroadwaycriticblog.com/2011/12/08/broadways-bonnie-clyde-will-close-on-1230/

[dented146]

Posted: 12/9/11 at 6:17pm

blaxx, What shows have been crushed by the critics and gone on to be successful? I realize Wicked was sort of mixed. The only one that I can think of is perhaps Mama Mia but by the time it reached Broadway even Brandley praised much of it.

I don't deny that the producers seemed to pull the plug fast.

[madlibrarian]

Posted: 12/9/11 at 6:51pm

They're closing on a Friday? Why not on a Saturday or Sunday like a normal show?

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 12/9/11 at 7:27pm

pulls out popcorn as people enter stage 3 of the 7 stages of broadway loss..... anger

[blaxx]

Posted: 12/9/11 at 8:33pm

blaxx, What shows have been crushed by the critics and gone on to be successful?

Just consider that huge Hollywood stars could sell out a run even before the critics have anything to say about it.

This is my point: Professional theater critics will never be either obsolete or absolute. The show that opens at the right place and time can be a mega hit that feels no impact on mixed or negative reviews. The ones that were just out of place (or simply out of luck) will never make it, no matter what the raves say or the overall quality of the show.

But professional reviews are extremely helpful to compare against the show's success throughout the years. The merit of a lot of theater works can be measured by their financial success, life after their Broadway run, critical reception, etc.

Without professional reviews, we would be left with measuring a show's success on the audience response and grosses. Therefore, the "best" shows would be the most popular. Imagine what the list of the best shows of all times would be then.

It's true that the reviews for Bonnie & Clyde didn't help its case. I'm sure, however, based on the show's numbers before and after the reviews, that it was not exactly its turn to be a Broadway hit. And unless we can prove if reviewers from all ages, backgrounds, interests, etc. have a personal grudge against Wildhorn, the conspiracy theories are laughable.

As I mentioned before, the general consensus here was that Broadway productions of Wildhorn shows were generally really bad. Reviewers truly had a reason to trash his work. Let's not be extremist, they found some good things to say about B&C. Overall, they didn't think it worked at the same level as most you. But saying that personal bitterness and jealousy that dozens of writers feel towards a composer closed a show is just ridiculous.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/9/11 at 9:25pm

I concur, Blaxx. You put it quite eloquently.

[SamIAm2]

Posted: 12/9/11 at 9:56pm

The BWW poll that asks whether you think that the critics gave Bonnie & Clyde a fair shot is showing 15% saying yes and 85% saying no. Interesting.

[theatreguy]

Posted: 12/9/11 at 10:43pm

madlibrarian - because it's a holiday week they'll be doing 8 shows between Monday the 26th and Friday the 30th. Adding more performances on Saturday or Sunday would require paying everyone more which, obviously, they can't really afford to do.

[dented146]

Posted: 12/10/11 at 2:19am

blaxx, I respect your opinion. In fact, I agree with most of what you say.

I appreciate the fact the professionals will often shine light on quality work which might otherwise be ignored by the theater going public. I don't deny the inportance of critics.

But in this particular case, I honestly feel that some very influencial critics had their minds made up before they ever walked into the theater. It's speculation on my part, I know. I have nothing to back it up, true. And I don't really consider it a conspiracy theory. It's quite possible that different critics just aren't fond of Wildhorn for various reasons.

I just happen to believe that a different creative team would have received better reviews. It may seem laughable to you and it certainly would be in a court of law where you need hard evidence. It's just my feeling and it's probably shared by many of the people who liked the musical.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/10/11 at 6:22am

Dented -- but an impossible situation. A different creative team would not have created THIS B&C.

It still comes down to this: the average theater goer (not us on this board) really don't know who Wildhorn is. They don't know he's widely considered a hack. MOST don't actually read reviews. Sales were already pretty low. It not like in the few days since the reviews hit that the sales stopped, they were already pretty slim.

Again: MIGHT have better reviews made a difference. Maybe. But only maybe.

Are the reviewers biased? Possibly. But I TRULY believe that if they thought it was TERRIFIC they would have been singing that from the hills.

[denali.fire]

Posted: 12/10/11 at 9:34am

I really enjoyed the song
"When I Drive"
It has been an ear-worm since I saw tthe show 3 weeks ago. I guess I identified with the fun and freedom I feel when I drive along some country roads.. This feeling does not apply when I drive along the NJ turnpike or in and out of the Lincoln tunnel.

A song like "When I Subway" probably wouldn't cut it either.

Hope the obcr comes out.

Updated On: 12/10/11 at 09:34 AM

[madlibrarian]

Posted: 12/10/11 at 2:55pm

Of course! Thank you, theatreguy.

Also hopin' for a B&C OBCR.

[abstract19]

Posted: 12/10/11 at 6:37pm

Any more news on a OBCR for the show? I think I read it on here that it had been "postponed."

I wonder if by "postponed," they mean canceled...

[philly03]

Posted: 12/10/11 at 7:12pm

Surprisingly this is the only Frank Wildhorn musical that doesn't have even one song released (even shows like Carmen, Waiting for the Moon/Zelda, Svengali, etc!)!

[denali.fire]

Posted: 12/10/11 at 7:50pm

Abstract....do you remember where you heard about that "postponed" obcr info? On one of these threads I read that was definitely going to be recorded.

I never read about a postponement which sounds like cancelled to me. Especially since there is no official notification about the closing given to the cast yet. At least that is what I read. but who knows the validity of reports one gets on these threads.

[TheHappyPhantom]

Posted: 12/10/11 at 8:09pm

I hope it doesn't even last this long. Good riddance to this crap. It never should have transferred, the reviews in SD were bad too.

[abstract19]

Posted: 12/10/11 at 8:18pm

I did see it on this board, but can't remember which thread.

[SamIAm2]

Posted: 12/10/11 at 11:05pm

HappyPhantom, have you seen the show on Broadway?

[Pit Mole]

Posted: 12/10/11 at 11:59pm

Phantom: You already admitted in another thread on this web site that YOU HAVE NOT SEEN Bonnie & Clyde on stage .... and yet you feel compelled to incessantly drone on & on about what crap you think the show is ...

Why do you feel it necessary to speak so often and in such strong term about something which you have NO first hand knowledge??

Actually, it's pretty damn amusing to see someone put that much energy into saying: Look folks, I really have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about, but nonetheless, I'm going say it with such a great amount of conviction, that perhaps you'll think that I am intelligent or witty and possibly even know what I'm talking about.

Quite obviously, you don't.








Updated On: 12/11/11 at 11:59 PM

[SamIAm2]

Posted: 12/11/11 at 12:15am

Thanks, PitMole. I thought he probably hadn't seen it. Amazing, isn't it?

Although I love the show, I don't expect that everyone will agree with me, and that's fine. But at least have the common decency to have seen the show before you bash it. Jeez.

[Pit Mole]

Posted: 12/11/11 at 12:36am

Sam, Don't let this stuff get you too upset... If you take the time to go back through the "archives of this site (I've been a "lurker" here for quite a long while") you'll surely notice that there are a certain number of folks that are "repeat offenders"...folks that seem to display varying degrees of psychological pathology as indicated by the tone and vehemence of their writing as well as personally attacking those with whom they disagree ( Rather than debating the merits or lack thereof of the subject at hand) While I certainly would not point any of them out by name, I would hope that perhaps some of them would recognize the trait in themselves after reading this and hopefully ...find it to be an issue that they would like to attend to.

[TheHappyPhantom]

Posted: 12/11/11 at 1:24am

Wow, Pit...I hope you have more than just this forum in your life. It'd be sad if this was the only way you could try to keep people as impressed with yourself as you are.

[TheHappyPhantom]

Posted: 12/11/11 at 1:24am

Wow, Pit...I hope you have more than just this forum in your life. It'd be sad if this was the only way you could try to keep people as impressed with yourself as you are.

[wicked4l]

Posted: 12/11/11 at 2:44am

A friend talked with a crew member on the subway last night after the show. The crew member said that the show in fact is closing on the 30th and the cast was recently told....

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 12/11/11 at 2:52am

I saw the show on Saturday (12/10)
I have to say...I REALLY liked it. Hell I loved it.
I had great seats (had the last rush ticket) and had the box seat on house right (first one) so it was partial view but crap it was amazing.
This show really is Wildhorn's finest. I still have "The World will Remember Us," "Dyin aint so Bad," "When I Drive," and "Raise a Little Hell" ringing in my head.
Jeremy Jordan is also a star on the rising IMO. I had a perfect view of him throughout most of the show and he gave so much to the role that any shortcomings his characters development might have, you wouldnt notice it because of the brilliant performance he gave. Laura was superb also. Her belt is absolutely fantastic.

On a side note...the audience was VERY full, I would say at least 90% and after the show and during the intermission it seemed like the house was buzzing about the show in a positive manner. I know it's comped alot but it seems like word of mouth is very strong.
And another side note...the box right behind me had 2 of the rudest audience members I have ever encountered. It was a young male about 12 or 13 and his mom or grandma, and throughout the entire show he was talking/making comments about the actors and she was occasionally shush him and then he started going "I want candy..candy candy candy" over and over again during the poetry scene in Act one! I think Laura most of heard him cuz if anyone has ever been to the schoenfeld you know how close the box seats are to the actors onstage and he was the second box up. Wanted to smack him. Especially during "Dyin Aint So Bad reprise" where he pretty much said at normal room volume "Just die already".
I was very close to saying something.