broadwaysfguy said: "I believe that a lot of folks on this board (many whom I really do respect) may be self sabotagingtheir theatre going experiences with unrealistic expectations and a less than optimal mindset
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But you would be wrong. Overwhelmingly, the people on this board will be swayed by what they see, not what they assume. They admit when they're preconceived thoughts have been wrong. When one is already familiar with a piece -- particularly one they love -- it's impossible to totally separate themselves from it. It's a part of who they are.
My favorite example of this (which I know I use often -- probably as often as this accusation is made) is when Corbin Bleu was named as the new Usnavi for In the Heights. Many people thought he would be terrible. But you know what? Most went to see for themselves and discovered he was pretty wonderful and were not concerned about stating such. This happens all the time here...if people were SURE they were going to hate something: they usually don't bother buying tickets. Except for After Eight. He relishes in it.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.