"B&C was a flop because the public did not want to see it and word of mouth was bad."
Yes, the New York critics did not like the show, and that no doubt affected audience perception, but the critics alone did not kill this show, as much as they wanted to. The combination of New York reviews, poor timing and bad management by the producers killed the show. As I recall, there was a lengthy post by someone with detailed inside information that pinned most of the blame on undercapitalization and poor management by the producers, not lack of interest by the audience. In short, they brought a show to Broadway without having the funds to see it through the winter months, or through the relatively slow audience buildup required when a show opens with no established stars. They put themselves in a position where only rave reviews could have saved the show (which it certainly did not get). However, it's critical reception was no worse than many shows that last much longer.
It did appear to be a polarizing production: those who liked it seemed to like it very much, and those who didn't like it seemed to hate it with a passion. However, judging from word of mouth on this forum and others, it was clear that there was a significant audience segment that did like it. Whether that audience segment would have been large enough, or enthusiastic enough, to propel a better managed production into eventual profitability is something that we will never know. But to declare without reservation that the show failed because no one liked it and no one want to see it is to ignore a complicated set of business realities that actually accelerated its demise, apparently for no other reason than to dance on the grave of a show you did not like.
Updated On: 5/7/12 at 10:38 AM