Scandalous Preview Thread — Page 3

Women on the Verge was one of the most wrongfully panned shows on BWW IMO. Sure, the first preview may have been a mess, but that show made a lot of changes during previews, and the final version was a very strong show IMO. The show itself has one of my favorite scores of all time.

---

I must be the only person who actually likes the descending staircase in Carrie. I must have a thing for white stairs. Two thumbs up from me.

Auggie- Yes, the towers around the set did feel very Book of Mormon to me too.

bwayphreak- I wouldn't go so far as to say Women on the Verge was one of the most wrongfully panned shows. The first preview was indeed a mess, and in a way the disappointment was magnified because so many of us had the highest expectations because of the cast and creative team. I caught it three times, and yes it did get much better, but it was always problematic.

The cast recording is excellent, and I do listen to it frequently (save that godawful Microphone song!). But you can't just judge a show from a cast recording. I never realized how great a song "Lovesick" is because it never played well in the theater. Sherie must have eaten a handful of lemon drops before each performance because she did not seem to want to be there. I never even heard those lyrics till the recording, and I was like, "Oh! THIS is what that song was supposed to be!"

In general, unless someone here has a connection with a show, or holds a grudge against someone I never question a motive for posting a positive or negative review. We are all here to post our honest thoughts and then discuss.

---

Updated On: 10/14/12 at 09:18 PM

Ha, well of course some people have ulterior motives, but it's pretty easy to pick out the shills, and those with grudges (e.g. gvendo with Godspell) are obvious too.

Do you really think the majority of regular posters here have ulterior motives? Personally I don't work in the theater in any capacity and don't have any motives when I post my thoughts other than to discuss with other posters and share my passion for theater.

---

"If you think people don't write things on her without other motives other than to JUST give an honest opinion.... Well you're just silly."

Or a bit naive, or disingenuous.

"Ha, well of course some people have ulterior motives, but it's pretty easy to pick out the shills, and those with grudges (e.g. gvendo with Godspell) are obvious too. "

How about less obvious ulterior motives, or those one might not even recognize in oneself? How about ego? Feeling a sense of preeminence/superiority/pride/power in being one of the first to render judgment on a show. Inducing people to buy tickets or to think as one does. Or merely showing off one's knowledge, wealth, commitment to the theatre, or being in the know. Or pure oneupmanship. There can be a lot more involved here than just offering one's honest opinion.

Updated On: 10/15/12 at 02:44 AM

I know who's opinion I trust, and who's I take with a grain of salt. More than their overall opinion is WHAT is said about the show: I know what kinds of things will make a show work for me and what would make me cringe.


MANY people here that go early, often RE-visit and will tell us if they felt things improved.

If you DON'T believe most people are truly expressing their actual opinion, why bother reading the boards at all?

---

Re: False rhymes...

So Kathie Lee isn't just obnoxious, but she's also lazy?

Updated On: 10/15/12 at 08:17 AM

AfterEight. I couldn't have put it better myself.

Whizzer,

No, i do not believe either you, specifically, or any of the other posters you mentioned, are stating anything other than your honest opinions. But this is what you yourself stated,

" well of course some people have ulterior motives,"

I agree with what you yourself said. What's the problem, then? Some people ain't you.

But what I went on to say was that there are other motives that may cause people to run to post early, or at all, that we ourselves are not even conscious of. And since you asked, I include myself in that. Ego plays a big factor in all we do. La Rochefoucauld spelled it all out for us, pitilessly. ( CJ, if you're reading this, that's an author I highly recommend.) Again, I include myself in that. Surely someone as intelligent as you recognizes that.

I've said it many times here. You're the most esteemed and estimable poster on this board, and deservedly so. Many people think highly of your reviews, and again, understandably. Moreover, you do us all a great service by posting as tirelessly as you do. We are all grateful to you for that, and that includes me.

Incidentally, I felt no need to post after the first previews of Annie, The Heiress or Scandalous. Perhaps my ego has abated. Probably I'm just lazy.

All that said, I feel that new people should have their voices heard in this group, instead of being attacked for saying a show received a standing ovation. We need new points of view, varied points of view. Do you agree?

Updated On: 10/15/12 at 10:59 AM

I should grande jete back- haha

All very valid. I guess my original thought was mostly the holier than thou, nasty posts. Many people are very informed and well spoken. I don't write many reviews because I go to theater to enjoy myself, whereas I feel many people go to nit pick and find a clever way to say something didn't work. Sometimes I read posts and wonder why some people spend money on theater at all. It's more of a "gonna go see what so I can predict when it will close" type of thing. Just my thoughts, which is why I keep a very low profile (been a member for 7 years)

I saw "kinky boots" while on business is Chicago, if I get some gusto I will write a review.

And back to this thread, very curious to see "scandalous" formally known as "saving aimee", formerally known as "hurricane amiee".

Mercades,

You raise very good points, very valid points. We need people like you here. Please post more.

"Sometimes I read posts and wonder why some people spend money on theater at all."

Your mystification is entirely understandable. Many people have wondered the same thing on this board. I can't say I entirely understand it myself.

Unfortunately, the explanation may not be grounded in reason, but in passion. Speaking only for myself now, I can only cite Pascal when he said "the heart has its reasons that reason knows not."

...Anything new/reviews from previews?