PThespian said: "It's honestly not important ...
Listening to music from a show in advance is definitely a good idea (assuming they are contemplating a musical). That will help them make an informed opinion on their own instead of by asking a bunch of strangers.
...."
I had a big disagreement with a good friend about this. Look, on one hand, it's an individual's choice-their money, their time. But for me, I would never go out of my way to download/listen to music BEFORE seeing a musical as a way to gage my potential enjoyment thereof.
I feel that when I go to a musical, I am seeing theater, not a music concert. I feel I should go and allow the entire whole wash over me. live. All the elements that go into production. I think one could unfairly deny oneself of multitudes of great experiences by cutting out a slice beforehand, like the music, and using it as a gage when it may be that everything else actually helps give entry to the music, allow you to enjoy the music more. If that makes sense.
But to each his own. More generally - It is hard to take opinions from strangers but when you say more about your likes and dislikes, or why you liked/disliked something, it helps. I wasn't going to see The Great Comet but reading this board encouraged me. A bunch of strangers! There was a real mix of opinion and I found it informative. I went with little expectations. I know it got a rave from the ousted NYT reviewer - but I often disagreed with him so paid no attention to that. I am indifferent to Josh Groban. I was expecting not to necessarily like it but being open to the experience, I was pleasantly surprised. I will be returning.
