Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
jam_man
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/25/05
#0Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 4:10pm
Enough with the negatory vibes - let's get the good vibes going. What are the most underrated shows you've ever seen?
The Mystery of Edwin Drood - it's so fun and has a great score, I'm suprised it's done much more often.
"Who is Stephen Sondheim?" -roninjoey
"The man who wishes he had written Phantom of the Opera!" - SueleenGay
GO CARDINALS!!!
"The man who wishes he had written Phantom of the Opera!" - SueleenGay
GO CARDINALS!!!
apdarcey
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/10/04
#1re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 4:15pmwell, i personally thought bernadette's gypsy was riveting, and not many do...
Sant
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/12/04
#3re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 4:23pmMARTIN GUERRE. I didn't see this last revision of it, but I saw it after the first (?) re-write in London, and I really liked it. I didn't find the plot/book challenging or hard to follow at all. And the score was excellent!
joeybiltmore1
Leading Actor Joined: 2/22/05
#4re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 4:45pm
LA BETE.
About 12 years ago there was a play by David Hirson called "La Bete" on Broadway and it was beyond brilliant - from writing to design to direction to performances. I was stunned when it barely lasted a month. I also can't believe that this play hasn't been done more regionally. It was one of the best things I've ever seen.
More recently, however, I thought A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE should have gotten a fairer shake. I know it has many fans, but it's a shame it couldn't have run longer.
#5re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 4:46pm
I saw Big River here in LA before it went to NY.
I thought it was great. I am not sure how it did out there.
bjivie2
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/04
#6re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 5:06pmOnce on this Island. Never got the love or respect it deserved on Broadway, though it's had quite the life in regional theatre. One of the best shows of the 90's. (should have won the Tony in 91)
Eeeeeeyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaannnnnddddd aaaaaaaiiiiiiiiyyyyyyaaaaaammmmmmmm teeeeeeeelllllliiiiiinnngg yyyyooooooouuuuuuuwwwaaaahh...
#8re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 5:14pmI saw Chess 2 summers ago and I can not figure out why they haven't reworked it.
Corine2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/14/03
#9re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 5:49pm
Millie.
Secret's Every Smart Traveller Should Know
Forbidden Broadway
Our Sinatra
Updated On: 8/21/05 at 05:49 PM
#10re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 5:52pm
Wonderful Town
While the critics RAVED, and loved every second of it. Broadway fans and audiences just didn't find an interest in it, and the Theatre was empty a lot. It was a shame because it was a GREAT revival.
It took Brooke Shields to gain the show some attention.
#11re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 5:53pmChalk up another vote for Chess.
Corine2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/14/03
#12re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 5:54pmI never saw the show with Brooke. I did love Wonderful Town with Donna Murphy and Gregg Edelmann.
#13re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 5:58pm
The Robber Bridegroom!
saw it at a community theatre and loved it!
"You just have to do what your voice tells you to do." -Linda Eder
Featured Actor Joined: 12/31/69
#14re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 6:05pm
JoeyBiltmore1, I'd agree that LA BETE was one of the most underrated shows I've seen. Quite a stunning piece of theatre.
More recently in the musical category I'd have to say CAROLINE, OR CHANGE. Most folks didn't recognize the brilliance of that piece, and this from a early detractor.
#15re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 6:14pm
I think a lot of plays are underrated. "Hollywood Arms" was beautifully acted. I am still not understanding why Linda Lavin was not nominated for a Tony, but so glad that Michelle Pawk was AND won.
Off-Broadway's "Temporary Help." I believe there was only 4 people in the cast, there was one set, and it was one of the most suspensful plays I have ever seen.
"It's the little things; the details, that distinguish the Barbra Streisands from the Rosalyn Kinds."~Gilmore Girls~
Born2cthelightsofbway
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/30/04
#16re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 7:28pmRags, Big River, and Dracula.
"You alone can make my song take flight, it's over now, the Music of the Night!!!!!"
#17re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 7:34pmI Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change!
VanHassle
Chorus Member Joined: 8/18/05
#18re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 7:35pm
Chess
and I'll add Ragtime. It got completely overshadowed by the Lion King.
My Name in Lights
Stand-by Joined: 7/26/05
#19re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 7:38pm
Underrated for sure: LENNON and ALL SHOOK UP I've seen them both numerous times. They are completely different experiences, but both of them are great!
Unfortunately, the mixed reviews will keep a lot of people from seeing these shows for themselves. Instead, they will rely on the critics to dictate what they see. That's too bad because with the current discounts running, the risk is cut by 50% or so. It's odd, too, because those same people will see a show because a critic says it's good...and yet good reviews don't mean everyone is going to like the shows anyway.
There are quite a few running now that are big disappointments, yet the critical hype that they are good has kept them going. Only after you pay the money and see it can you decide for yourself. Then, whether you like it or not; at least it was your choice how you spent your time and money and not the critics.
WONDERFUL TOWN, ROCKY HORROR, DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES were also victims of mixed reviews and they all had something good going for them. Not perfect, but what really is; and definitely UNDERRATED.
Updated On: 8/21/05 at 07:38 PM
roquat
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/25/05
#20re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 7:52pm"Merrily We Roll Along" and "Follies". Both have unbelievable, heartbreaking scores. Their books are plodding and unworkable, but WHO CARES?
I ask in all honesty/What would life be?/Without a song and a dance, what are we?/So I say "Thank you for the music/For giving it to me."
apdarcey
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/10/04
#22re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 10:28pmspelling bee is a sure-fire hit... it consistently sells out the theatre, with standing room, ending above 100% attendance... it has broken the house records at circle in the square... and it got straight raves from the critics... also it walked away with 2 tony awards and some others awards including the drama desk for best ensemble, a high honor on broadway! i don't know how that makes it underrated?
bdwybelle
Broadway Star Joined: 11/2/04
#23re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 10:30pmTriumph of Love - it was on broadway in 1996 (I think) and at 7 I loved it. It should have lasted longer.
#24re: Most UNDERRATED shows you've ever seen?
Posted: 8/21/05 at 10:34pm
The Golden Apple
Amour
Taboo
just to name a few (it rhymes... haha)
"Picture "The View," with the wisecracking, sympathetic sweethearts of that ABC television show replaced by a panel of embittered, suffering or enraged Arab women" -the Times review of Black Eyed
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