Shows That Became 'Hits' Even With Bad Reviews

[Emily5]

Posted: 9/10/12 at 2:21pm

Hi Everyone!

I'm working on a term paper for my musical theatre history class about shows that succeeded or are currently a 'hit' on Broadway even though they had poor/mixed reviews. (for example, Mamma Mia!)

It used to be that one critic's bad review was the kiss of death for a show but now it seems to have less effect on the success of a show.



Any help is greatly appreciated. I've found some information elsewhere online but wanted to see if any of you knew of some shows I could add to my research!

Thanks so much!!

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 9/10/12 at 2:22pm

Wicked's reviews were not that great.

[mamaleh]

Posted: 9/10/12 at 2:29pm

If I recall correctly, MEMPHIS got pretty mixed (mediocre to negative) reviews yet went on to run for years and finally recouped. THE BOY FROM OZ got mostly negative reviews (except for praise heaped on its star Hugh Jackman), but eventually became a hot ticket because of its star. When he left at end of his one-year contract, the show closed, having recouped.

[dreaming]

Posted: 9/10/12 at 2:38pm

Did Les Mis or Phantom get particularly good reviews? (Or Cats for that matter.) I seem to recall not.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 9/10/12 at 2:44pm

Going way back:

1. Wish You Were Here (saved by the title song being a big Eddie Fisher hit and that the show had a swimming pool on stage);
2. Kismet (a newspaper strike was going on at the time that it opened, so the generally tepid reviews had no effect on the outcome);
3. Fanny (David Merrick showcasing); and
4. Pippin (first extensive television commercial).

In general, the NYT has an aversion to anything written by Andrew Lloyd Webber or Steven Schwartz and their megahits have withstood the NYT's barbs. Also, NYT is generally disinclined to favor the Disney products (as I recall, even Lion King didn't get undiluted praise).

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 9/10/12 at 2:52pm

The reviews for the original production of Evita were definitely mixed.

[Lenexajones]

Posted: 9/10/12 at 3:28pm

Suggestion: look at the recent "hit" shows; Compare reviews. Discuss in writing. Result: interesting term paper with actual data rather than internet board anecdotes. What a concept...

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 9/10/12 at 3:53pm

Wait?!?! You want somebody to actually do the research and think for themselves? How dare you ask a student to do that!?!?

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 9/10/12 at 4:16pm

Be careful of buying into common wisdom re: 'bad reviews.' Read Brantley's Mamma Mia review. It was not negative.

[Emily5]

Posted: 9/10/12 at 4:38pm

Okay guys, I am in by no way asking people to do all the work for me.
Before you continue to make assumptions, I clearly stated that I had done some research on my own and was just looking for further insight from people on BWW. I've been a long time reader of posts on here and people seem to know what they're talking. I wanted to know if anyone had information that I hadn't come across to further my research.

To those who are giving helpful posts, I greatly appreciate it! Thank you so much!!

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/10/12 at 4:49pm

Wicked DID NOT get bad reviews. They were mixed to positive and was an award favorite of the season.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 9/10/12 at 4:50pm

Brooks Atkinson called the original production of BYE BYE BIRDIE "Neither fish nor fowl nor good musical comedy." It's done all right for itself, all told.

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/10/12 at 4:51pm

If I recall correctly, MEMPHIS got pretty mixed (mediocre to negative) reviews yet went on to run for years and finally recouped.

Memphis closed a flop for its Broadway run.

[Quiche2]

Posted: 9/10/12 at 4:54pm

Wicked DID NOT get bad reviews. They were mixed to positive and was an award favorite of the season.


You are right that it did not recieve BAD reviews. They weren't exactly good either. Critics just didn't like it. The reviews mostly said it was just an average show. But, it obviously became a huge hit, seeing as though the show's 9th birthday is next month. Other than Jordan Catalano and the guy who served me at T.G.I Friday's a few weeks ago, I have never met anyone who didn't LOVE Wicked.

[Wynbish]

Posted: 9/10/12 at 4:58pm

There are people who don't like Wicked? Well, shame shame tsk tsk Updated On: 9/10/12 at 04:58 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 9/10/12 at 5:03pm

Other than Jordan Catalano and the guy who served me at T.G.I Friday's a few weeks ago, I have never met anyone who didn't LOVE Wicked.

Wicked haters have been rampant on BWW since previews. As soon as Dance of the Vampires and Urban Cowboy closed, it became THE show to hate.

[Wynbish]

Posted: 9/10/12 at 5:05pm

How did it even come up at TGIFridays?

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/10/12 at 5:14pm

Other than Jordan Catalano and the guy who served me at T.G.I Friday's a few weeks ago, I have never met anyone who didn't LOVE Wicked.

I can introduce you to a few more people...

[bobs3]

Posted: 9/11/12 at 2:11am

Ben Brantley actually gave MAMMA MIA a positive (but not enthusiastic) review. I'm paraphrasing but it opened a few weeks after 9/11 and he wrote something like "after recent events Broadway needs some comfort food."



Updated On: 9/11/12 at 02:11 AM

[Fred Casely]

Posted: 9/11/12 at 7:17am

On the other hand, there are shows that got rave reviews and closed fairly quickly. Side Show comes to mind...

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 9/11/12 at 7:41am

I don't hate WICKED but I wouldn't say it's a particularly good show. If anyone would have told me in June, 2003 that it would be a huge hit still running over 9 years later, I would have said "Get the fvck out of here!:

[Quiche2]

Posted: 9/11/12 at 8:21am

How did it even come up at TGIFridays?


I was wearing my WICKED t-shirt that day.

[tazber]

Posted: 9/11/12 at 8:24am

There is great love in my heart for certain posters in this thread.

You know who you are.

[Quiche2]

Posted: 9/11/12 at 8:26am

^^^ Is it me?
Wait
Nevermind
Everyone hates me

[tazber]

Posted: 9/11/12 at 8:28am

Nobody hates you, Quiche.

At least I don't.