Why do all the ROA fans seem to think that reviews make their show 'God'- Page 2

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 11:21am

People make fun of me for liking STORY OF MY LIFE all the time...I guess it's just difference of opinion. But no one can say that STORY wasn't at least trying to be classy...

People are going to like ROA regardless of what I think about the show...

[blaxx]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 11:22am

So, pretty much this is what would have happened if Legally Blonde and Xanadu had opened during thne same seson.

[snarkywannabedreamer]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 11:31am

as a fan I will say that...

A) I don't think good reviews make the show God. However, I do think they are legitimate ammunition when the fans of the show are called "wastes of humanity."

B) I think most ROA fans and people involved in the show are just thrilled to be nominated (as would any of you if you actually created something more than just bile on a message board). The show was not created to collect Tonys... it was created to simply be a good time. I don't see this as a bad thing.

C) it is soooo boring to listen to criticism of this show from idiots who haven't even seen it. Form your own INFORMED opinion and then express that! we will respect you more. (for those that have seen the show and don't like it, I respect your opinion and RESPECTFULLY disagree)

It is sad that by defending a show (like ROA fans have to do on this message board), somehow it is misconstrued that we think we are better. I for one KNOW that this show is not better than Next To Normal or Billy Elliot for example. But it does create a very enjoyable theatrical experience. One that the Tony people and critics understand and support.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 11:41am

I also believe that the creative team for Rock of Ages were probably happy about the majority of the reviews.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 12:14pm

as well as critics pan genius that audiences love. If I'm not mistaken, critics weren't too hot about Wicked

Did you seriously just call Wicked "genius"?

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 12:19pm

No, I actually don't like wicked.

Sowwy, poor wording

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 12:22pm

Did you seriously just call Wicked "genius"?

I would agree that there is some genius involved in creating a show that has been as overwhelmingly financially successful as Wicked. A genius production is not defined only by its writing or composition. Mamma Mia is another good example of a genius production. Its international popularity was swift and vast.

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 12:26pm

So since reviews are SOO important, do you think the creative teams of

Wicked
Movin' Out
(Current) West Side Story
The Color Purple
Aida
Mary Poppins

think of their mixed/negative reviews

What do you think the creative teams of
Grey Gardens
Sunday in the Park With George (original)
Kiss of the Spider WomanPassion
Titanic
Parade

think of their VERY POSITIVE reviews. I'm sure they love the raves, but the reviews did nothing to make the shows successful.

Updated On: 5/8/09 at 12:26 PM

[Pippin]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 12:33pm

"But no one can say that STORY wasn't at least trying to be classy..."

I didn't see Story of my life, I'm sure it was wonderful, and if you say it was trying to be classy, and succeeded, then bully for them.

But no one accused Rock of Ages of trying to be classy. In fact, they are trying NOT to be classy, and they succeeded in their aim. So why are people complaining when they say that the show isn't as classy as other shows on the great white way?

I would rather watch a show that doesn't have any pretense, and embraces it's unclassiness lovingly than a show trying to be something it's not. That is not a remark about "Story", Trace, that is a blanket statement aimed toward the many broadway and off-broadway shows that ended up being insufferable because they suffered from too much hubris.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 12:47pm

I'm sure they love the raves, but the reviews did nothing to make the shows successful.

But if they loved the raves, that means they cared about their reviews.

So since reviews are SOO important, do you think the creative teams of

Wicked
Movin' Out
(Current) West Side Story
The Color Purple
Aida
Mary Poppins

think of their mixed/negative reviews

They might have been disappointed in the criticism. But you seem to be holding fast to the assumption that everyone believes good reviews translate directly into financial success. No one here is saying that. There may be a few Rock of Ages fans or 9 to 5 detractors who might think that, but a very small minority. Not the unequivocal absolute you keep stating. If you believe personal opinions are getting in the way of people's objectivity, then you might want to try leading by example. Instead, you're just exhibiting the exact same type of behavior as that of which you complain.

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 12:50pm

No, I'm talking about how the ROA cult seems to think that their show is better than everything else because of the freaking reviews. Board members LOVED Irean's vow and it got mixed reviews, so do you see fans of... say .... GOD OF CARNAGE talking about what great reviews the show got such great reviews therefore, it is better than Irena's Vow.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 12:50pm

The marketing of Wicked is genius. The show is not.

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 12:51pm

Investors, Directors ect... don't do shows to get a pat on the back by critics

[D2]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 12:56pm

"What do you think the creative teams of
Grey Gardens
Sunday in the Park With George (original)
Kiss of the Spider WomanPassion
Titanic
Parade"

Not one show on that list got across the board raves - the original SITPWG did get the support of the NYTimes, but its other reviews were decidedly mixed - as were the reviews of all the others. TITANIC in particular was only grudgingly respected - the NYTimes was little more than glad it wasn't a complete disaster.

Updated On: 5/8/09 at 12:56 PM

[STUCKinOH]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 1:08pm

Just because you don't like a show doesn't mean somebody else can't like it... Just because a show doesn't seem "good" in your opinion, doesn't mean everyone else has to feel the same way.. Really everyone needs to shut up and stop trying to insult shows... really.. you're arguing about musicals. Just mind your own business and stop trying to pick fights.. if you don't like a show, keep your mouth shut and don't go see it.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 1:18pm

It's because God gave Rock and Roll to us.

But, in all seriousness, I haven't seen RoA nor do I plan on it. But, I wish it no ill will. Perhaps some of the money that's being made can be funneled into something I DO want to see. That being said - some, not all, but SOME of the RoA fans are on my nerves because some of them do have the show on this glorious pedestal. But every show has their group of annoying fans.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 1:29pm

No, I'm talking about how the ROA cult seems to think that their show is better than everything else because of the freaking reviews.

That is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. You complain that they make these hyperbolic baseless generalizations (which are actually your subjective misinterpretations) by using hyperbolic baseless generalizations. If you are referring to the fact that people have stated that Rock of Ages may have gotten a Best Musical nomination instead of 9 to 5 because it received better reviews, it is not a completely absurd argument (the majority of musicals with stronger reviews tend to snag more Tony noms, if you want to look at statistics). But that view is hardly the gross exaggeration you are trying to project onto people who enjoy Rock of Ages, die-hard fans or otherwise (not to mention that many others who are not established "fans" have made the same objective observation).

Investors, Directors ect... don't do shows to get a pat on the back by critics

I never implied they did. It also doesn't mean they ignore reviews or have no response to them or opinions on them. Honestly, the way you misdirect your answers and spin them completely off point, you should either go into politics or the seminary. The next time anyone points out a flaw in your statement, just say they are possessed by the Devil and be done with it.

[LadyDramaturg2]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 1:38pm

The list of musicals whose producers, investors, creatives, casts, and crews wish that their reviews had been better would choke a horse.

If Tony nominations and good reviews meant nothing to the success of a show, then producers and theater owners would not spend all that money to put big "11 Tony Nominations!" and "Brantley says -- It's The Greatest!" signs on their Marquees.

I like Sunday In The Park With George and many other traditional musicals. I also like ROA. I do not have a personality disorder.

Sheeesh.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 1:49pm

Joe from Kalamazoo isn't going to know who Brantley is though. Odds are he'll say "Brantley? Jeff Brantley the baseball player? Well, if he liked it I'll go!" Perhaps shows should only use positive quotes from reviewers who share a last name with someone famous

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 1:58pm

Joe from Kalamazoo isn't going to know who Brantley is though.

And he may have never heard of the Tonys, either. But he will likely spot the enormous quotes on the flyers, posters, ads, etc.

[Jersey Girl2]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 3:51pm

>>DO NOT even waste your time or money with this show.

I say go.
I never had a better time in the theater- ever.

>>critics have raved about plenty of awful productions
>>haven't we seen critics rave a bout garbage theatre that makes no money and no one else likes,

& this is why ROA is special.

Everyone likes it ( audiences & critics) & it's making money.
( those who have seen it anyway)

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 4:00pm

^^^That is so NOT true. EVERYONE does not like it. Yes, it seems many do, and that's wonderful. But as we know, there are plenty of folk that do NOT like it. You will NEVER find a show that EVERYONE likes, just like you will not find a show that everyone hates.

As I've said before: why-oh-why does someone else's DISLIKE of a show you adore in any way affect how you feel about it to the point of being nasty/angry/defensive.

(NOTE: I have no feeling one way or another about ROA, haven't seen it yet and am not particularly looking to, but I did promise going as a graduation present.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 4:18pm

That was nasty/angry/defensive? But you are right. Not everyone likes the show. But it does sounds like it is getting a lot of positive audience response and the reviews were mostly positive.

[Jane2]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 4:19pm

"Snobbery at its finest"

No, not a snob, a wanna be snob. He doesn't have what it takes to be a snob.

Anyway, this post is to say that I can appreciate mature, semi-intelligent discourse about almost anything, but when you're juvenile enough to make remarks like "your bird is ugly", and expect it to have any impact whatsoever on a theater discussion, then you're advertising how childish you are. You sound about 5 years old. Seriously.

You're a toddler mentally if not also physically. I'm directing this not only to the imbecile who made these remarks, but any of you tots who resort to babyish personal attacks, including the tot who called the fans dregs of the earth. Infant!. Are you able to discuss something with any degree of intelligence? I don't think so since I read the same kind of posts from the same people all the time.

Try to grow up a little, form an intelligent sentence which applies to the topic, and maybe, just maybe you'll earn a shred of respect.

Until then, your infantile remarks go in one ear and out the other. Immediately.

Updated On: 5/8/09 at 04:19 PM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 4:23pm

uh oh...jane2 has the knives out!