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Shows That Became 'Hits' Even With Bad Reviews

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#1

Shows That Became 'Hits' Even With Bad Reviews

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!!
#3

Shows That Became 'Hits' Even With Bad Reviews

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.
#5

Shows That Became 'Hits' Even With Bad Reviews

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).
BroadwayEd
#6

Shows That Became 'Hits' Even With Bad Reviews

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

The reviews for the original production of Evita were definitely mixed.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain. -Kad
#7

Shows That Became 'Hits' Even With Bad Reviews

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...
#10

Shows That Became 'Hits' Even With Bad Reviews

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!!
#11

Shows That Became 'Hits' Even With Bad Reviews

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.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
#12

Shows That Became 'Hits' Even With Bad Reviews

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.
Some people paint, some people sew, I meddle.
#13

Shows That Became 'Hits' Even With Bad Reviews

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.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
#14

Shows That Became 'Hits' Even With Bad Reviews

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.
Theatre is my life. No one can take that away from me.
#16

Shows That Became 'Hits' Even With Bad Reviews

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.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#18

Shows That Became 'Hits' Even With Bad Reviews

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...
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
#19

Shows That Became 'Hits' Even With Bad Reviews

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

#21

Shows That Became 'Hits' Even With Bad Reviews

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!:
#22

Shows That Became 'Hits' Even With Bad Reviews

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

How did it even come up at TGIFridays?


I was wearing my WICKED t-shirt that day.
Theatre is my life. No one can take that away from me.

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