"I totally respect your opinions because I know not every show is for every person. But why did you hate Six so much? Just curious if you feel like elaborating."
A pleasure to read your perfectly respectful query which deserves a perfectly respectful reply.
I wouldn't have thought SIX was for me, a 67-year-old gay guy with no especial love for the Spice Girls. But I really enjoyed some cuts of the London Cast Recording of SIX-- somehow those East London lower class accents made the songs witty, ironic and smart. Seeing them performed on Broadway with Valley-girl American accents suddenly removed the underclass irony-- it just sounded like the amateur high school project that it apparently began as. I was shocked to discover zero staging ideas, zero production values (even the Spice Girls concerts give you costume changes), and the sort of choreography any of us could have improvised on an after-hours dance floor.
And here's my biggest beef with the show-- it structures itself as a contest to decide which of the wives has the most miserable story to tell-- why? Who the hell knows. But an hour into the 80 minute show the cast suddenly decides that that contest is a terrible idea-- and a reflection of the evil patriarchy of history in general. Sure, it IS a terrible idea, but why then did your writers foist it upon your audience in the first place??? Nothing pisses me off more than sitting through a noisy, hollow hour of so-called entertainment and then being told none of it mattered anyway.
I added a review of Funny Girl with Lea. She is a legend in the making. Iconic.
I'll play along. I'm excited to see several new fall shows but haven't been back to the city yet to see them so...
Aladdin***
Beetlejuice**** (very pleasant surprise for me)
The Book of Mormon****
Chicago*** (haven't seen it in years though)
Funny Girl** (much love for Julie Benko but thought design & direction were terrible)
Hadestown*****
Hamilton*****
Into the Woods***** (can I give a sixth star?)
The Lion King***
Moulin Rouge** (stunning when entering the theater, everything once the show started was blah)
The Music Man*** (underwhelming)
The Phantom of the Opera***
Wicked*** (so many of these old standbys are very "middle of the road" for me)
Strange Loop *****
Aladdin **
Beetlejuice ***
Book of Mormon *****
Chicago (with Pamela Anderson) *****
Funny Girl (with Beanie) ** (seeing it with Lea in a few weeks, though)
Hadestown ****
Hamilton *****
Lion King **
Moulin Rouge ***
Music Man **
Phantom *****
Wicked ***
Thanks for sharing! I'm adding a few new shows.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
DiscoCrows said: "DEH works better as a film than it does on stage."
Maybe in some parallel universe.
I went to "Some Like It Hot" tonight, they missed the mark unfortunately.
I couldn’t rate them by stars because there there is not even nuance.
Updated On: 11/12/22 at 05:42 PM
No idea if they're unpopular, but here's the ratings I'll give for shows running this season:
Ain't no mo: ****/ (4.5) - Sooo funny while still being serious when necessary. I really enjoyed it and never had a dull moment. Probably my favorite play this season, and I'm seeing it again soon!
Beetlejuice: *** (3) - I saw it twice and both times didn't connect. I'm sad to find this one so horribly average as I probably should have enjoyed it more but I don't.
The book of Mormon ***** (5) - the perfect tourist show!! Hilarious and engaging, and all the jokes land. I would recommend this to anybody who isn't religious and not afraid of off color humor
Chicago *** (3) - I saw this with a different cast, but the show itself had great music from what I remember
A Christmas Carol ***/ (3.5) - I love the work put into this. So much effort for a one man show and it's so well done, but the lights are so dark and at times it made me tired. Also the audience was atrocious in the capacity that they were impolite and talked or left during scenes.
Hadestown ** (2) - Meh, I dislike Greek Mythology. The OBC was who I saw and they all had beautiful voices. I found it boring. However Patrick Page is worth seeing before he leaves if you love beautiful baritone voices!
Hamilton ***** (5) - Magnificent regardless of the cast, and honestly could have been the next POTO if they didn't release digitally and run so many tours. It has so much cultural impact too. Recommend, especially on lottery or if you can afford great seats.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child ***** (5) - this is my pick for the show to see and bring your children with you. The visuals are magical and I actually do love what this adds to the franchise.
Kimberly Akimbo **** (4) - Cute little show, I've seen it twice and I feel that the score is weak but Bonnie & Victoria's performances hold it down!! The ensemble is small but surprisingly charming, and if this released in 2016 or so it would've been a hit with the same teens that loved Evan Hansen. I wish the show well and recommend, even if the score needed work.
Phantom of the Opera **** (4) - Its a classic. Ok. Cool.
A Strange Loop **** (4) - I enjoyed the score but the subject matter can be so heavy, this Broadway climate needs more joy currently. So important, I think a ProShot would benefit this.
Topdog/Underdog ** (2) - So boring. I didn't care about the conflict until the second act. I wish I liked it more
Walking with Ghosts * (1) - If you told me that I could bring a bed instead of a seat, I'd use this as an oppritunity to sleep. I'd give it 0 stars, but one man solo shows are difficult in themselves.
BONUS:
Six ** (2) - sounds tacky, looks tacky, keep concerts off Broadway. I don't like it at all, but I didn't see it in person and only listened to their soundtrack (so generic and felt like several repeats) and watched film.
KPop - I'm not scoring it because I've only seen press materials but I really dislike the concept. I hear good things about the music and dancing but there's real kpop artists doing the same thing at concert venues all the time. and I won't need to suffer through the terrible book either. and they trained for years and follow all the rules of real kpop idols and trainees. I will go down on the ship that kpop on Broadway is unnecessary and takes away attention from true kpop artists. also Zachary Noah piser I'll never trust after how bad his Evan Hansen was. I saw 4 Evan's and he was the only one who genuinely gave no feeling and had me laughing at how bad his acting choices were.
Angels in America *****(*) 6 out of 5: best play I have ever seen on broadway. so impactful and I think about it to this day. Andrew Garfield was amazing. the plot was so heartbreaking and gorgeous.
Be More Chill **** (4) - You know what? It's a nostalgia trip. I liked it. and I hated it. Great actors, not so good set, addictive music. I can support it.
Great Comet of 1812 *****(*) 6 out of 5 - I wish I got to see this before it closed. We need more innovative works like Dave Malloy creates.
Company 2021 ***** - Wonderful version of Company, I would recommend this and possibly also call it a classic with great updates thrown in.
I think that's all, sorry to anybody who likes jukebox shows or concert Broadway I guess
* bad time
**ok time
***good time
****very good time
*****excellent time
A Beautiful Noise- no interest
1776 (In Boston only) *
Strange Loop -- ** (wanted to love it, but only ended up respecting it)
Aladdin no interest
Almost Famous no interest
Beetlejuice -- * it gave me a headache
Book of Mormon ****, when it first opened
Chicago *** its been great, its been terrible
Funny Girl (with Beanie) *
Hadestown *****
Hamilton *****
Kimberly Akimbo *****
KPOP -- No interest
Lion King **** with my young kids, through their eyes
Moulin Rouge ***
Music Man ***
Six ****
Phantom ***
Wicked ****
Sing Street (Boston) ****
Leopoldstadt *** it had me at moments, lost me at others.
Harry Potter *
POTUS ****
Yiddish Fiddler ********* (I know it's off bway, but the single most meaningful theatrical experience I've had.)
I went to see Merrily We Roll Along Off Broadway tonight and I will give it 4 1/2 stars, almost perfect. But I think Elizabeth Stanley and Betsy Wolfe were a MUCH better fit for their roles than the current actresses, plus no dancers for Gussie Carnegie in the opening of act 2, that's why it's not 5 stars. Otherwise, it was wonderful.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/20
I came back to this thread and I think it is extremely unfair if any of these opinions are based off of bootlegs. That's my stance.
Your opinions are definitely... uhhh... opinions. TBH, if I hated that much of what I'd seen, I would reconsider whether or not I actually like theatre.
Anyways, here are my ratings for things we've both seen.
1776 ***1/2
A Strange Loop *****
Aladdin ****
Almost Famous ****
Beetlejuice *****
Book of Mormon ****
Funny Girl (with Beanie) *** (with Julie) ******
Hadestown *******
Hamilton ******
Kimberly Akimbo *****
Lion King *****
Moulin Rouge ****
Music Man ****
Phantom ***
Some Like It Hot ****1/2
Wicked ****
Off Broadway
Trevor ***
hearthemsing22 said: "I came back to this thread and I think it is extremely unfair if any of these opinions are based off of bootlegs. That's my stance."
I don't ever watch bootlegs, I have seen every show I rated in person.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/20
jkcohen626 said: "Your opinions are definitely... uhhh... opinions. TBH, if I hated that much of what I'd seen, I would reconsider whether or not I actually like theatre.
Anyways, here are my ratings for things we've both seen.
1776 ***1/2
A Strange Loop *****
Aladdin ****
Almost Famous ****
Beetlejuice *****
Book of Mormon ****
Funny Girl (with Beanie) *** (with Julie) ******
Hadestown *******
Hamilton ******
Kimberly Akimbo *****
Lion King *****
Moulin Rouge ****
Music Man ****
Phantom ***
Some Like It Hot ****1/2
Wicked ****
Off Broadway
Trevor ***"
My opinions aren’t “uh…opinions….” They’re valid opinions. Thanks :)
hearthemsing22 said: "jkcohen626 said: "Your opinions are definitely... uhhh... opinions. TBH, if I hated that much of what I'd seen, I would reconsider whether or not I actually like theatre.
Anyways, here are my ratings for things we've both seen.
1776 ***1/2
A Strange Loop *****
Aladdin ****
Almost Famous ****
Beetlejuice *****
Book of Mormon ****
Funny Girl (with Beanie) *** (with Julie) ******
Hadestown *******
Hamilton ******
Kimberly Akimbo *****
Lion King *****
Moulin Rouge ****
Music Man ****
Phantom ***
Some Like It Hot ****1/2
Wicked ****
Off Broadway
Trevor ***"
My opinions aren’t “uh…opinions….” They’re valid opinions. Thanks :)"
Other than the fact that it's the post right after yours, there's no indication that he was even talking to you, considering you haven't reviewed anything on this thread. Since you're always telling people to put you on ignore, maybe he did, and didn't even see your post.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/20
TaffyDavenport said: "hearthemsing22 said: "jkcohen626 said: "Your opinions are definitely... uhhh... opinions. TBH, if I hated that much of what I'd seen, I would reconsider whether or not I actually like theatre.
Anyways, here are my ratings for things we've both seen.
1776 ***1/2
A Strange Loop *****
Aladdin ****
Almost Famous ****
Beetlejuice *****
Book of Mormon ****
Funny Girl (with Beanie) *** (with Julie) ******
Hadestown *******
Hamilton ******
Kimberly Akimbo *****
Lion King *****
Moulin Rouge ****
Music Man ****
Phantom ***
Some Like It Hot ****1/2
Wicked ****
Off Broadway
Trevor ***"
My opinions aren’t “uh…opinions….” They’re valid opinions. Thanks :)"
Other than the fact that it's the post right after yours, there's no indication that he was even talking to you, considering you haven't reviewed anything on this thread. Since you're always telling people to put you on ignore, maybe he did, and didn't even see your post."
Okay. So can you show me where that person was not talking to me?
hearthemsing22 said:
"Okay. So can you show me where that person was not talking to me?"
"TBH, if I hated that much of what I'd seen, I would reconsider whether or not I actually like theatre.
Anyways, here are my ratings for things we've both seen."
Regardless of whether the first sentence about opinions sounds like it could be directed at you, everything else is clearly not, so, logically, he probably wasn't talking to you. More likely, he was probably replying to the OP, who has posted ratings on this thread, and has hated several very popular shows.
Make sense?
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/20
TaffyDavenport said: "hearthemsing22 said:
"Okay. So can you show me where that person was not talking to me?"
"TBH, if I hated that much of what I'd seen, I would reconsider whether or not I actually like theatre.
Anyways, here are my ratings for things we've both seen."
Regardless of whether the first sentence about opinions sounds like it could be directed at you, everything else is clearly not, so, logically, he probably wasn't talking to you. More likely, he was probably replying to the OP, who has posted ratings on this thread, and has hated several very popular shows.
Make sense?
"
Got it. And now back to the originally scheduled post
I thought it was pretty clear I was talking to muscle23ftl, who created this thread I disagree with most of his opinions and was poking fun at him.
Now onto you, hearthemsing22. I find it hilarious that you seem to have come to this thread to create an imaginary situation there was no evidence of and then get mad at it. Then, you created yet another imaginary situation and decided to also get mad at that one. How 2022 internet culture of you.
Did anyone here mention anything about basing their opinions on bootlegs?
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/20
jkcohen626 said: "I thought it was pretty clear I was talking tomuscle23ftl, who created this thread I disagree with most of his opinions and was poking fun at him.
Now onto you,hearthemsing22. I find it hilarious that you seem to have come to this thread to create an imaginary situation there was no evidence of and then get mad at it. Then, you created yet another imaginary situation and decided to also get mad at that one. How 2022 internet culture of you.
Did anyone here mention anything about basing their opinions on bootlegs?"
Someone literally wrote the following:
Six ** (2) - sounds tacky, looks tacky, keep concerts off Broadway. I don't like it at all, but I didn't see it in person and only listened to their soundtrack (so generic and felt like several repeats) and watched film.
If “watched film” doesn’t mean bootleg, I assume it could be b-roll or something but could also be bootlegs?
Swing Joined: 4/27/22
NYC - Broadway
Wicked**
Once***
The Glass Menagerie (2013)****
Kinky Boots****
Burn/This****
The Prom***
To Kill A Mockingbird****
Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune***
All My Sons*****
Mean Girls***
The Ferryman****
Dear Evan Hansen***
Tootsie**
Be More Chill*
Moulin Rouge*****
Funny Girl****
Hadestown***
The Music Man*****
American Buffalo****
Take Me Out*****
Company****
The Minutes****
Hangmen****
A Strange Loop****
Macbeth**
Ohio State Murders*****
Some Like It Hot****
The Phantom of the Opera***
The Piano Lesson****
Leopoldstat****
Almost Famous***
The Collaboration*****
The Old Man And The Pool*****
Six***
NYC - Off Broadway
Little Shop of Horrors****
Cyrano de Bergerac****
What the end will be***
Merrily We Roll Along*****
A Man of No Importance****
Titanique****
London - West End
The Book of Mormon*****
The Scottsboro Boys**
Mamma Mia**
Billy Elliot****
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Parts 1 & 2)****
Waitress****
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie****
The Night of the Iguana***
Ian McKellen On Stage****
Hamilton*****
The Son****
Prima Facie*****
Jerusalem****
The Glass Menagerie***
Cock*****
The Book of Mormon (again) *****
Cabaret****
& Juliet*
London - Off West End
Torch Song****
Straight Line Crazy****
Madrid - Gran Vía
Lion King****
Toc Toc**
Mamma Mia***
Madrid - Off
Afterglow*
Buenos Aires - Corrientes
Madres e hijos (Mothers & Sons) ***
Buenos Aires - Off
La omisión de la familia Coleman (The Omission of the Coleman Family)****
Eran tres alpinos (There were three Alpine)***
I sadly updated my list and got rid of some shows that already closed (including KPOP), love the reviews, I love that Madrid, London and Buenos Aires are included now! This thread is super international now.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/20
International:
War Horse * I almost fell asleep. I think I might have fallen asleep.
Heathers **** Adored it. While it might have been a little awkward since I saw it with a parent (Dead Girl Walking...), I really, truly loved it. (Carrie Hope Fletcher and Jodie Steele).
The Mousetrap *** While I really liked it, the play dragged at points. But I was invested and am excited for the New York run!
The Play That Goes Wrong ***** For some reason this production made me laugh harder than the production in New York? Weird. HILARIOUS. One of my favorite plays.
Everybody's Talking About Jaime **** I thought there were some points that dragged, but I was hooked from "And You Don't Even Know It". Wonderful.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/17/07
Aladdin** The experience was like trying to watch a Broadway show in a daycare center. Other than Friend Like Me, the entire show was not memorable either.
Beetlejuice**a cherished childhood memory that didn't translate well to the stage.
The Book of Mormon**** a vicious satire of white people, Christianity, and American exceptionalism
Chicago**** the sexiest show on Broadway
Hadestown** really wanted to like it but it just wasn't memorable. I've been told I have to give it a second try.
Hamilton***** I got in on the ground floor with this one and now it seems more dated than shows decades older.
Into the Woods*** very entertaining
The Lion King* Does Cameron Mackintosh produce this show, because it seems like all they do is cut stuff from it.
Moulin Rouge** Probably the worst audience I've ever seen. Would never see this show again unless they taped everybody's mouth shut on the way in and used yondr pouches.
The Phantom of the Opera****** Harold Prince and Maria Bjornson perfect masterpiece, and as the NY Times review said, it is their love letter to theater. Thrilled I get to see it 8 final times.
Wicked** I always feel like I have to be 12 to enjoy this show
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