Why did MEMPHIS not run longer? — Page 2

I have to say that I really enjoyed it when I saw it (the day after it opened, got much better reviews than I expected, and I happened to be in NYC). That said, I never bought the cast recording and I never had any interest in seeing it again, so I must have realized deep down that a huge portion of my enjoyment was probably due to the the cast's energy levels, probably amped by getting much better reviews than anyone expected.

I also felt that the show had no competition that season for regular theatre goers, i.e., not most of the people on this board), who wanted to see something new, fairly 'traditional', and reasonably well reviewed. That left out Fela, American Idiot and The Addams Family, which had good audiences until I guess Nathan Lane left (but which was terrible and got terrible reviews).

My conclusion: it was enjoyable, energetic, forgettable, and lucky that it ran for three years.

PS -- I tried to watch the taped performance and turned it off pretty quickly (maybe half hour in) because Chad Kimball's performance had evolved to the point where he seemed to be channeling Leonardo DiCaprio's Howard Hughes, during his most extreme phase, and I just couldn't sit through it.

Jordan Catalano said: "Mediocre is a very kind word to describe it."

I thought the single performance broadcast on PBS lasted three years!

God, the haters saying "the show was LUCKY it lasted as long as it did". It made money, was successful and people loved it. Resist the urge to sh*t on something people loved for a long time.

I tried to watch the taped performance and turned it off pretty quickly (maybe half hour in) because Chad Kimball's performance had evolved to the point where he seemed to be channeling Leonardo DiCaprio's Howard Hughes, during his most extreme phase, and I just couldn't sit through it.

He had severe nerve damage and was still performing through the pain. Have a seat.

I couldn't stand this show. I remember cringing through a preview, and being extremely bored.

"Mediocre is a very kind word to describe it."

I just looked back and read the NY Times review when it opened and that is basically the review (mediocre) it got.

LuPita2 said: "God, the haters saying "the show was LUCKY it lasted as long as it did". It made money, was successful and people loved it. Resist the urge to sh*t on something people loved for a long time."

People have as much right to express their dislike for it as you do to express your love for it. It doesn't diminish your experience or opinion, and no one has attacked you for liking it.

The fact that the show has pretty much fallen out of the theatrical landscape is telling, though. Its songs haven't made their way into cabarets or repertoires, it's barely discussed, and it's not produced very much. If it had not opened in that particular reason, it is extremely doubtful it would have been as successful.