What are your top three worst shows ever (that everyone else seemed to praise)?- Page 5

[hmpeterson]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 12:14pm

Spring Awakening
Avenue Q
In the Heights
The Producers

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 12:23pm

The Producers
Curtains
Spelling Bee

[thelastmidnight]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 1:30pm

Les Miserables
Sunday in the Park with George
Spring Awakening

[REVA107]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 1:51pm

Just out of curiosity, but any chance some of these shows, (like Wicked, for instance) were seen after the original cast had already left and maybe some of the "magic" was lost by that point? I'm not making assumptions, but just curious as to whether or not many of these judgments were made off the original broadway cast. Also, what are your thoughts on "The Woman in White." I've never hated a show so much in my life and was always curious as to how the audience felt, despite the critic's acclaim. Thanks!

[Roscoe]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 2:07pm

In re: possible "magic loss" due to replacement casts.

Nope. I saw them with the original casts and/or original revival Broadway casts. True, the abominable NEXT TO NORMAL is being heavily revised for a possible Broadway run (trust me, there is VAST room for improvement, but it seems a lost cause to me).

No mitigating circumstances. The shows SUCKED, and folks loved them. C'est la vie.

[philly03]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 2:28pm

"I Still do not understand the praise for IN THE HEIGHTS. I thought it was boring and amature."

Agreed too. I don't understand what all the hype is about on it and nothing stood out all that much, except for the choregraphy & the fact that the used "rap"/"hip hop" music which isn't that big of a deal. But it not one of the worst shows ever in my book.

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 4:05pm

Sweeny Todd
Suessical the Musical
legally Blonde

[broadwaytourist]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 4:13pm

I absolutely concur with The Producers. but I don't get to see as many shows as many of you do. That limits my exposure to things I believe I'll like going in, and because I have such admiration for actors in Broadway shows, as well as for the talented creative people involved, I find it hard to really dislike anything. A show may not be my taste, but I almost always appreciate the work and artistry that goes into each production. As for Mama Mia - I grew up with that music, and it is the live singing of some of my high school memories that makes that show so much fun. I have actually jumped on my bed and sung Dancing Queen with many forms of hair styling tools! (I might have done this last week!). As for Spring Awakening - I love "Blah, Blah, Blah." I get what that lyric says - one doesn't have to write lyrics that explictly state that the adult role models and acadmeics in the lives of these confused, undereducated teenagers expouse theories and doctrines that sound trivial and have no meaning in the young ones's struggles with becoming adults. "Blah, Blah, Blah" says that all in a timeless fashion to me!

[hubee]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 7:50pm

To answer Reva107, I actually HATED Wicked the first time (not the originals) and I would have put in on this list, but then saw it again with Stephanie J Block and it TOTALLY changed my mind. It was like a whole new show with a different cast. It's still not GREAT but it wasn't as bad as I remembered it to be and in fact, I don't mind it (though I still find the ensemble songs laughable).

On the other hand, I loved Miss Saigon the first time and found it lumbering and boring the second time around. So yes, I think time and cast can change the show for me.

But yes, I still think Producers is the most overrated show ever.

[puppet]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 11:03pm

Wicked - worst musical ever. Amusement park sets terrible book
Lion King
Jelly's Last Jam - an oldie but awful

Updated On: 8/19/08 at 11:03 PM

[kathy selden]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 11:16pm

Spamalot (Broadway)
Putnam Cty Spelling Bee (Broadway)
Glass Menagerie (Guthrie)

[bundy5000]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 11:30pm

I believe Mamma Mia should have been more like an Concert type event or show. More like an Off- Broadway event. But then again. It would not bring in the SUPERB Donna's I have seen. To me it was a GREAT Experience but not a Great BROADWAY SHOW.

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 12:50am

I find it funny that so many people are like "how can you not like that it has blah and blah and blah" When that thread title is What are your top three worst shows ever (that everyone else seemed to like)

[Scott Briefer]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 7:52pm

Mamma Mia
Mamma Mia
Mamma Mia

I attended Mamma Mia in London immediately after it opened. At intermission, I was so confused as to why this show had received such positive notices (remember this was a week or so after it opened and before it went global) that I approached one of the house staff members. He informed me that the producers were themselves shocked at the response. They thought it so awful that before the show opened, they had posted closing notices and were certain that it wouldn't last the week.

[Scott Briefer]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 8:06pm

When I saw the title of this thread, I immediately clicked to the last page and added my 2 cents. I have now read back and am so pleased to have read that so many people agree with my assessment of Mamma Mia. I am even more pleased to have read je veux te voir2's post as they too thought it worthy of all 3 slots.

The wild part is, I love Abba's music. If they only had written a book that reflected the music... oh well.

Posted: 8/19/08 at 9:47pm

RENT
Titanic (how did it EVER win the Tony?)
Spamalot

[philly03]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 10:12pm

^^Titanic...YOU ARE SO RIGHT! I didn't see it on Broadway, but I completely forgot how horrid it was. It only won because Jekyll & HYDE wasn't nominated !!!

[Byron Abens]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 1:17am

Titanic - I saw it a couple months after the Tonys and they still were having problems getting the set to work. The night I saw it the Titanic failed to "sink."

The Producers - I loved the CD, saw it, and was totally let down, not by the cast (it was on the road, Stadlen and Stephenson) but by Stroman's work. I had built up a much bigger show in my head.

Wicked - Thought it was decent until they tacked on the horrible happy ending version.

The Lion King - Would be perfect if I was deaf and didn't have to listen to it. The design and the stage pictures Taymor created are stunning, just hate listening to it.

La Cage - I don't know what it is, I've just never been enthusiastic about the show.

[fiesta1]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 8:41am

Cats
Wicked
Eubie

[metropolis10111]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 9:13am

Lion King
A Chorus Line
Follies

[D2]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 9:24am

Passing Strange
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Wicked

(all with the original casts)

[parislover87]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 9:31am

Guys & Dolls
Chicago (on stage, the movie is soooooo redeeming)
The Wedding Singer


I might also need to add the current cast of Rent... i saw it a few days ago... pitiful was my exact word leaving the theatre.

[BkCollector]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 9:48am

There's only one that I truly hate.
Gypsy

[Fosse76]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 12:30pm

A Chorus Line (dated show about whiny dancers not being able to have job security on Broadway...boo hoo)

Spring Awakening (Clunky book, unmemorable music, bad choreography, gratuitous foul language to make the show seem hip)

Mamma Mia (why, just why was this show produced)

"Just out of curiosity, but any chance some of these shows, (like Wicked, for instance) were seen after the original cast had already left and maybe some of the "magic" was lost by that point?"

"Original" does not equal "best."

[johnsons]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 12:36pm

While we're talking about bad Stephen Schwartz, let's mention Pippin. There are some good songs but overall the book and show itself is terrible.