The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible! — Page 2

#26

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 11:10am

I've been going to the theater seriously for the past two or three years only, but Once and Peter and the Starcatcher leap to mind. They weren't horrible, by any means, but I felt they didn't live up to the hype.

Updated On: 7/5/14 at 11:10 AM

#27

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 11:11am

Oh, it was so insignificant I forgot to mention Peter and the Starcatcher, thanks mac.

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"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

#28

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 11:27am

I have to commit mutiny and go with Book of Mormon. I listened to the cast recording before I saw the show and thought the best comedy was in the music. I was expecting more laughs in the book.

#29

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 11:34am

Actually think it would be more fun and longer list to name shows critics hated that you loved - lol

#30

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 11:39am

"Billy Eliot - The score (except for a few songs) is very dull and forgettable, the dancing is very overrated, and the story, while moving, is also cliche and predictable."

Really, the dancing overrated- wow. Those young boys are great dancers and do everything from tap to ballet. I saw it with my daughters who have both been dance majors in college. They also have danced professionally and they were quite impressed with the dancing. I guess to each their own.

#31

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 11:55am

Peter and the Starcatchers. I read and loved the books the play was based off of so I was eager to see the show with or without the critics but no one in my family liked it.

#32

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 12:16pm

Glad I wasn't the only one who didn't like Peter and the Starcatcher. Saw it in LA, and I hated it so much. Even though I wanted to leave at intermission I sat through the torturous second act hoping it might be better. Nope.

#33

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 12:20pm

"We all know the deal." I certainly knew the deal of your post without even needing to read it.

When I see a list as long as yours, muscle23ftl, I think "Maybe theater is not for you."

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Twitter @NamoInExile Instagram none

Updated On: 7/5/14 at 12:20 PM

#34

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 12:26pm

I think some of you go just wanting to hate. Or you are so jaded that there is no going back. You have ruined theater for yourself. I am so sorry. My heart goes to you.

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HUSSY POWER! ------ HUSSY POWER!

#35

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 12:36pm

"My list is long:"

You don't say!

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"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ~ Muhammad Ali

#36

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 12:41pm

I didn't care much for Chorus Line
Maybe I was missing something

#37

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 12:49pm

Red. It won best play in 2010 and I hated the entire thing

#38

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 1:01pm

Hurlyburly in 1984. A great cast, great reviews and I couldn't wait to see it.

Updated On: 7/5/14 at 01:01 PM

#39

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 1:02pm

I found Billy Elliot to be entirely tacky and underwhelming. But god- some of the mentioned shows are my absolute favorites. Matilda, South Pacific, In The Heights, RENT, and Sunday are my five favorite musicals. Its so interesting to see the wide ranging opinions on this board!

#40

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 1:07pm

For those that mention SWEENEY TODD, are you referring to the LuPone revival or the original Broadway production?

#41

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 1:15pm

Aida - Pure sh*t
Fame
Joseph and the Amazing ......
Rent
Cats
Aspect of Love
The Lion King - The most brilliant opening followed by a two hour snooze fest.

Updated On: 7/5/14 at 01:15 PM

#42

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 1:19pm

I'm relieved to read the number of "Billy Elliot" posts, because I couldn't understand any of the fervor. The film is lovely, just about perfect; it wrings tears honestly. The show left me dry-eyed. I was startled by how unengaging it was, start to finish. If anything seemed a sure thing, moving from screen to stage, it was that material. I've been baffled why I personally failed to connect; this thread reminds me the show isn't for everyone.

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"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling

#43

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 1:28pm

Billy Elliot and Wicked.

#44

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 1:33pm

Other than the stunning opening, The Lion King was one of the most uninteresting nights I've ever spent in the theatre. As pretty as the whole thing was, I was so bored.

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I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.

#45

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 1:36pm

Having a long list of shows you hated could just mean you have seen a TON of stuff and are very discerning.
Or it could mean you have lousy instincts for picking shows you hope to enjoy.

My list of shows I detested is also long, but the list of the shows I loved is longer. And that's what you hope for in a long life of theater-going.

Recent hailed shows that got a thumbs down from me:
KINKY BOOTS
ONCE
MATILDA (though I love the cd)
BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON
THE BOOK OF MORMON
ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS
JERUSALEM

and most strongly detested--
THEN SHE FELL

#46

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 1:52pm

Shows that got bad reviews that you liked?

Mine are LaChiusa's THE WILD PARTY and Mee's IPHIGENIA 2.0 (which actually got good reviews, but was panned pretty hard by the Times)

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"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ~ Muhammad Ali

#47

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 3:11pm

I guess I have a question about semantics here, some of the shows mentioned didn't exactly get rave reviews. Also which critics are we considering to have "important opinions"?

#48

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 4:08pm

After great reviews, I absolutely hated both The Lion King and The Producers.

#49

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 5:20pm

Jersey Boys; Billy Elliot.
I think 'horrible' should be 'dislike'-a much softer word. I try not to 'hate' anything-such a negative emotion..

#50

The Critics Rave,, You Go --- It's Horrible!

Posted: 7/5/14 at 6:13pm

Depending on which SWEENEY they mean, the lists of After8 and muscle23... span 20 to 40 years! One has to wonder why they haven't learned their lesson by now? Why are they still relying on critics?

Everyone should read William Goldman's chapter on "Critics" in THE SEASON. As he points out, overnight critics are both over-exposed and uninformed. Their views should be taken with a grain of salt.

Personally, I only read critics for shows I don't really care to see, just in case a critic says something to change my mind. I'm much more likely to depend on posters I trust here at BWW.com.