What shows did you go in with low expectations but ended up really enjoying?

[curel1]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 6:56pm

Shrek the Musical for me

[Alex M]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 6:58pm

The last ship, Heathers, American psycho, and The color purple 

Updated On: 6/19/16 at 06:58 PM

[@z5]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 7:04pm

Matilda and Bright Star. 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 7:08pm

It was on the road (Ahmanson, LA), but I had the lowest possible expectations of BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. I had successfully avoided the novel and the film, assuming both to be bad examples of "chick lit" and "film". But I was given tix to all of this year's Ahmanson musicals and couldn't refuse one set of tix while accepting the others (GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE and GREY GARDENS).

I still haven't read the book or seen the film, but the stage musical was one of the most moving experiences I have had in a theater in decades. No, it isn't perfect, but the score deserved its Tony and the overall effect is absolutely haunting. "And love is always better", indeed!

[Brotay23]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 7:08pm

Big Fish for sure. I miss that show so much

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 7:09pm

So many - Bright Star, Heathers, Cinderella, Kinky Boots, Hedwig with DC, Once,  Legally Blonde...

[aaaaaa15]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 7:11pm

I thought Once would bore me but I thought it was beautiful.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 7:19pm

Titanic

I remember seeing it on the Tonys and thinking it looked like the worst thing I every witnessed.   

 

Fell totally in lovwith it.

[nsguy45]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 7:24pm

Chaplin, Bonnie and Clyde and the revival of On a Clear Day with Harry Connick, Jr.

[sparepart973]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 7:25pm

I dragged myself to Mrs Henderson Presents thinking that it'll be another dreary war musical, but was absolutely delighted by how charming and entertaining the show was. 

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 7:27pm

aaaaaa15 said: "I thought Once would bore me but I thought it was beautiful."

 

I completely agree. 

[TerrenceIsTheMann]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 8:05pm

Disaster and Bright Star

[Wicked Fanatic]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 8:09pm

On Your Feet and Bright Star

[lucillefrank]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 8:15pm

Bright Star (though that's my favorite type of music anyways) and Finding Neverland. 

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 8:17pm

Bright Star and Once. Ended up loving both of them.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 8:23pm

"If/Then" and "The Last Ship"

[spikethebunny]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 8:43pm

Wicked. I thought it was just a Wizard of Oz rip-off (I saw it early on and knew nothing about it beyond the Wicked Witch was in it). I've now seen in many, many times.

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 9:02pm

Bright star (originally planned to save it for my family trip because I wasn't sure I'd want to see it more than once. Ended up seeing it prior to coming with my family to see if it was worth taking them to, and I've now see it 4 times, and I'm seeing the final performance.)

 

Bring it On (my friend dragged me to it and it ended up being my favorite show I saw that season, although I didn't see them all)

 

Honeymoon in Vegas (only got tickets because the seats were better than the other shows we were looking at at TKTS and the people working there said t was lots of fun)

[Matt1]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 9:03pm

Billy Elliot (now one of my favorite shows(

Sister Act

A Christmas Story

The King and I

[ebontoyan]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 9:20pm

Finding Neverland -  I didn't watch for a year because of the not so great reviews and no Tony noms. I was pleasantly surprised when I finally saw the show in Jan! It was actually very enjoyable!!!

[Tom5]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 9:29pm

Fish In the Dark. I know Larry David has had problems with his long form films, and some of the reviews had me worried, but I really dug the show. I hope it will one day show up on cable at least.

[Tom5]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 9:29pm

Dupe

Updated On: 6/19/16 at 09:29 PM

[Wick3]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 9:55pm

Paramour (Cirque) for me. I was definitely amazed by the circus acts! The trio especially.

[marcor]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 9:59pm

Bright Star and American Psycho

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 6/19/16 at 10:17pm

GavestonPS said: "It was on the road (Ahmanson, LA), but I had the lowest possible expectations of BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. I had successfully avoided the novel and the film, assuming both to be bad examples of "chick lit" and "film". I still haven't read the book or seen the film, but the stage musical was one of the most moving experiences I have had in a theater in decades. No, it isn't perfect, but the score deserved its Tony and the overall effect is absolutely haunting. "And love is always better", indeed!"

My experience of Bridges is having read the book, which I found at my mother's house when I used to devour any books. It was too romantic for my taste, but I thought that the premise and the story built on the premise of Francesca's dilemma were a valid subject for a film.

My only other experience has been to have auditioned all the passionate vocals by Steven and Kellli on YouTube, Their excellence is just so clear on listening to them that I think that there must be a place for them on Broadway.

From what I remember of the few reviews I read of Bridges, it was generally agreed that the book of the musical had wasted too much time on Francesca's American family, which as I remember even from the original book was given little attention.

I wonder if it against Broadway law to rewrite the book to correct the emphasis of the book and juggle the score so that both play to the strengths of the musical. Play around with the rewritten production out of town and see what develops.