Unexpected Flops
Unexpected Flops
#1Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 4:22pm
What are some shows that were expected to be very successful but flopped? Rocky is one for sure. I expected Rocky to be successful, especially with tourists, but obviously I was wrong.
Updated On: 8/24/14 at 04:22 PM
#2Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 4:25pmFOLLIES is what enters my mind when it comes to people who expected it to be Sondheim's big hit but when it closed it lost money. Maybe not a flop with a capital "F", but close enough.
Sutton Ross
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
#2Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 4:35pmI thought Big Fish was going to be successful, and people who saw it really seemed to love it. There has been many theories and opinions about why it failed, but I think the score had the most to do with it. I also thought Bonnie and Clyde would run longer.
#3Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 4:40pm
Also, I thought Bridges of Madison County would last longer than it did.
Updated On: 8/24/14 at 04:40 PM
RW3
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
#5Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 5:29pm
Bullets Over Broadway
The Little Mermaid
Young Frankenstein
Big Fish
Sister Act
The Pirate Queen
Ghost
Catch Me If You Can
Suessical
Spider Man
#6Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 5:31pmLooking at really early posts on this board, people apparently expected Dracula to do well.
"Was uns befreit, das muss stärker sein als wir es sind." -Tanz der Vampire
Timmer
Broadway Star Joined: 2/21/06
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#9Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 8:17pmThe big 4 musicals that closed this year.
Poster Emeritus
#10Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 8:39pm
I think Drat the Cat could've been successful. I wasn't around to see it, but the score is a lot of fun and I think it really deserves another chance.
Mata Hari in 1967 could have been a classic, but alas we all know what happened with that.
David2
Understudy Joined: 5/4/13
#11Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 8:52pmEasily Bullets Over Broadway.... I'm pretty sure they banked on this show being a massive hit especially with names like Woody Allen and Susan Stroman
#12Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 9:02pmWomen in the Verge was a huge surprise. Before it opened, it was extremely hyped - a great star-studded cast, a score by a new up and coming composer who already had 2 moderate hits, and fantastic source material. Now, we can all look back to when our humble message board graced news boards because of the insane preview thread (and of course that Kyle monster).
"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir
Emmaloucbway
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/16/11
#13Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 9:27pmDefinitely Bullets Over Broadway. Remember when Riedel wrote that article earlier this year predicting that it would be the biggest hit of the season?
#14Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 9:30pm
Rocky, If/Then, and Bullets over Broadway all opened within a month of each other and were highly anticipated. If/Then might still recoup if Idina sticks around, but the failure of all 3 shows to come anywhere close to meeting expectations was a big surprise (and opened the door for Gentlemen's Guide's financial success this spring and summer).
Enron also came in with huge hype and closed quickly.
"What was the name of that cheese that I like?"
"you can't run away forever...but there's nothing wrong with getting a good head start"
"well I hope and I pray, that maybe someday, you'll walk in the room with my heart"
#15Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 9:49pm
Bonnie and Clyde, I know Wildhorn shows close tend to bomb but this was a solid show with very positive early buzz.
I was shocked at the bad reception and failure of Ghost as well
Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#16Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 9:55pmNo Wildhorn show will ever succeed in NY
Poster Emeritus
#17Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 10:02pmDear World. It was the follow-up to the fabulous Mame, with the same writing team and star, and also happened to be equally fabulous, but flopped anyways.
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#18Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 10:37pmAngela L and a Herman score could not overcome bad source material for a musical.
Poster Emeritus
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#19Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 11:20pmI think NICK AND NORA and CHESS (American production, of course) would top this list.
"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
ggersten
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/06
#20Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/25/14 at 12:03am
I think LoveMusik seemed unexpected - but then most of the anticipation was before anyone saw the show. Seemed to have great credentials going in - and there was Tony talk by people before anyone saw the show. 24 previews, 60 performances.
chrisampm2
Broadway Star Joined: 5/26/07
#21Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/25/14 at 12:19amLoveMusik ran a limited engagement in a subscriber house. It ranks as a critical and popular disappointment, but not a flop. I thought it was muted but fine, with superb performances, including a galvanizing one from David Pittu as Brecht.
#22Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/25/14 at 4:34amI loved Big Fish, cried my heart out at the ending - and was shocked it didn't find an audience. The score was not great - I'll give its' detractors that - but the direction and performances and the heart of the show more than made up for it in my opinion...
#23Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/25/14 at 5:55amAren't all flops unexpected? I don't think anyone mounts a show expecting it to flop. That is unless you are in a Mel Brooks film.
Those Blocked: SueStorm. N2N Nate. Good riddence to stupid! Rad-Z, shill begone!
#24Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/25/14 at 7:44amGood News - Harry Rigby's follow-up to No, No, Nanette
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