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.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE