How Much Do You Rely Upon Theater Critics?

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 2:24pm

How much do you rely upon Theater Critics to determine your decision to see a production?

I know if its a play or musical I want to see that sounds interesting and has a good cast, I want to see it no matter WHAT the reviews might say.

After all, reviews are just well-informed opinions (written by humans with their own biases).

I'm more likely to rely upon word of mouth from my friends to make a decision as to whether or not a show is worth seeing.

What do you think?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 2:27pm

just because a reviewer wrote it does NOT make it well informed.

[Mythus]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 2:27pm

I don't rely on them at all. Everyone has their opinions, I don't need critics to make my choices for me. Yay! Frogs reference!

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 2:28pm

It depends. I usually check here first. Then I check with the critics. In the case of Wicked, I didn't listen to the critics, but the shills. However, I refuse to see Brooklyn becAuse of this board and theater critics.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 2:29pm

I definitely read reviews, but I don't let that determine what I see. If something looks interesting to me, and it got bad reviews, chance are I'll go check it out anyway. I like to see for myself and make my own opinions.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 2:33pm

I'm a big fan of the phrase, "Opinions are like assholes--everybody has one."

That said, some opinions are worthy of being taken into consideration. But that's all it should ever be--one has to make up one's own mind. Then again, I'm also of the opinion that if enough people agree on something, then it's probably true...it depends...

[Broadway_Bound_Star]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 2:35pm

I read them.. But even if they arn't good I still might go see it. One persons opinon dosn't change me. The touring Evita is getting bad reviews for Kathy, but I'm still gonna go see it. Updated On: 11/7/04 at 02:35 PM

[bythesword84]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 2:41pm

I don't rely on them at all. I read them but most times I see the show before the reviews are out when it's a musical so they aren't out to influence me. Either way though, I'll see something regardless of the reviews.

[CJR]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 2:44pm

I don't.....

If a show interests me, I'll see it. Typically I will have an opinion the polar opposite of the critics. There have only been a few times (when the show has been EXCEPTIONAL. ie: Laugh Whore) when I have agreed with what the critics have had to say.

I love, love LOVED Hollywood Arms... the critics hated it. I loved Bells Are Ringing.... the critics didn't like that much either...

[jmnpublications]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 3:05pm

I read reviews for a couple of reasons. One is to find out more about the show per se. A review will go into more depth about the plot and its structure than a news release or ad will. I like to get that non-promotional perspective.

I also like to compare opinions. If I am on the fence about a show, I will use the reviewers' impressions to help me decide. Whether or not a reviewer liked the show is not as important to me as WHY the reviewer liked or disliked it. The subject matter has to be of interest to me, and the performances have to be worth seeing. Intelligent direction and integration of design elements also appeal to me.

I'll use the current tour of EVITA as an example. Since I'm not a huge ALW fan, for me the performances make or break his material. Thus, a weak Eva Peron makes the show a pointless experience in my opinion. Having read the Boston reviews, I opted to pass. A friend who ushered at opening night made almost identical criticisms - the production values were better than the performers.

If EVITA does get a Broadway revival, and either a performer whose work I know and like is cast or an unknown gets great reviews, then I'll go see it - otherwise, probably not. Thoughtful reviewers definitely have their place for me. The ones who butcher a show just to demonstrate how clever they are don't influence me one way or another.

lc

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 3:08pm

THANKS, lc, for that VERY WELL thought-out post! :)

[timote316]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 3:12pm

I dont listen to the newspaper critics. I find them not at all helpful, and often I disagree.

I'm more likely to agree with word of mouth reviews, like those here on the boards. Everyone here (for the most part lol) know what they are talking about.

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 3:18pm

No matter what the critics say, I would probably go see the show. I know people who hated a show that I absolutely loved. So what one critic says is different than another critic. Unless I actually see the show, I can't base what I think about it by reviews.

[superperson]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 3:55pm

It's true that reviews are simply the critics' personal opinions. However, critics are aware of objective standards. It's usually clear whether a critic thinks that a show is worthwhile but doesn't appeal to his or her particular tastes or whether the show is intrinsically crap and is just bad theater that wouldn't appeal to almost anyone. If this distinction is unclear, just compare different reviews. If the verdict is unanimously good or bad, you can probably rely on that opinion. If the reviews are really different, it's up to you to decide which critic's sensibilities match your own.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 3:58pm

rarely. i dont often find myself agreeing with ben brantley.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 4:30pm

Almost never, but not because I don't think that certain experienced and knowledgeable critics (Feingold, Lahr, Heilpern, Winer) don't have valuable things to say. It's just that 99% of the time I see shows in previews (I often see Brantley, Barnes, Isherwood etc... in the audience with me) so by the time the reviews come out, I've already seen the show and formed my own opinion of it (that often coincides with the critical consensus).

[mizzie]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 4:41pm

I don't even read reviews because I prefer to go into a musical with an open mind. Besides, I find that people on Broadway message boards, such as this one, have better reviews anyway.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 5:07pm

This was a Poll topic, once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away, when bww.com was populated by adults...

It might be possible that one might still find this topic in the Poll section.

Actually it was 9/28/03, "What do you most consider when purchasing tickets for a show?" Updated On: 11/7/04 at 05:07 PM

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 5:10pm

I just care about what Margo has to say about a show.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 7:28pm

Not @ all. As a matter of fact, if they do not like a show we will love it as we normally hate what they rave about, with a few exceptions

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 7:31pm

i generally don't listen to critics.... but i usually use critic's reviews and word of mouth reviews to determine what price ticket seats i'm going to get

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 7:32pm

personally, i dont. i tend to like what the critics hate and vice versa....altho i agreed with them on bklyn

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 7:32pm

I always read the reviews but don't form an opinion before I've seen it for myself...but most of the time, I usually agree with what they say.