Who here feels that by reading this board your opinion of a show is swayed before you even see the s

I have been an on-again off-again reader/poster of this board for two years. And I just returned from NYC seeing six shows on bway 2 weeks ago. (Looped, Memphis, Addams, Behanding, Next Fall, Tenor)

Before I became a reader of the site, I would go into most Bway shows cold. Maybe I would read a paragraph review in the New Yorker etc. But for the most part I would go into a show not knowing what to expect. And for the most part I loved everything I saw.

But now I have caught the Bway bug and following the goings on of Bway has become a relaxing hobby of mine. However, my most recent trip was probably the worst theatre week-end of my life. Besides enjoying a few of the featured performers (Harper, Lane, Welken) and the entirety of Next Fall, nothing was over the top.

Maybe its a down year on broadway, but I think my opinions were swayed because I had read too much about the shows before hand. Or maybe my tastes have become more refined. (I was in NYC last fall and thought N2N and Hair were over the top)

So . . . it a round-about way. I know I don't have to read the board - frankly I am grateful for so many of you whose opinions I have come to greatly appreciate/admire - but I am wondering if others newbies here feel the same way. ??

Thank you -

Actually, I think it's a very interesting question that I don't remember seeing asked before.

I'll say that if enough people talk about a show (usually out of town since I try to see things fairly early on here in NY) that yeah, my expectations of it can be higher or lower going in. I've never made up my mind about something before seeing it, but on occasion I have been let down by the hype or really enjoyed something that people have had such joy in trying to destroy.

I cant say that reading the boards has swayed by opinion on a show, but for shows that I'm on the fence about I do look to the boards for member reviews on whether to see a particular show or not.

I will read stuff here, but try not to let it influence my opinion on seeing something. I don't even like asking people what to see, because I have an odd feeling I wouldn't like what people would tell me to see.

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I don't know about people that are already in the NYC area, but as a Californian, I have enjoyed hearing peoples opinions of the shows. I come out once a year for a weak and will see about 9 shows and sometimes make it to the Tonys. Unlike people that live in the area, I have room for only so many shows and alwasy have to make some very tough decisions. Chatter on here and other sites has helped me make a couple of difficult choices in the past. I think, though, in the long run you have to go with your gut on things. I will tell you I was WRONG about "Jersey Boys"---wasn't interested in a Frankie Valli Jukebox show. Was surprised when it won the Tony. Saw it about a year later in SF, and totally enjoyed it and the back story that was far more fascinating than I would have thought.

No one's opinion about anything influences my own, except for my parents.

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It influences me, sure, because I don't have the time and money to see everything...but I take it with a grain of salt. That said, both the theater boards are very critical. So when I see a show--and this happened with South Pacific, for example--where nobody has a bad word to say about it from the first preview on--I think, that one's probably a hit! But that's the exception...it does really help to get an idea of what a show is like in order to guide me towards the kind of plays and musicals I particularly enjoy.

Do you read professional reviews before you see a show?

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I did look at some of the stuff said on these boards before I made my first trip to New York at the end of January. I just wanted to see what the public opinion is. When it came to seeing the shows I saw, I still went in with an open mind, despite what was said here. I agree with the statement about it being 100% opinion. We all think different things after all.

Since I only get to NYC twice a year and only can afford two shows per trip, I would say that I am influenced by the opinions
of the members of this Board. An example is A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. I had considered seeing it in May, but the mixed reaction of BWW members made me switch to other shows. As it happens, I will be seeing FENCES and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES next month. I have seen neither show before, so I am excited about seeing them. I would say that the BWW entries steer me away from certain shows rather than toward shows.

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There are so many obvious biases displayed by posters on here that I take it all with a grain of salt.

I pay attention to the professional reviewers on occasion, but the opinions expressed here are really just for fun.

There are a couple of posters whose opinions I do respect. I usually ask them for their thoughts via PM if I'm really interested though.

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I don't need to read a review (or even see the show) to know it's no good.

I this it's wonderful when there is impassioned controversy about a show. If anything, seeing that some people love it and some people hate makes me want to see a show more.

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