Posted: 10/14/15 at 4:50pm
GreasedLightning said: "The comment seems pretty self explanatory to me... have you never gone to see something with low expectations, loved it and then further returned with those high expectations that's weren't met? I sure have."
This is why part of me thinks it is wise to stay away from a repeat visit to Something Rotten.
Posted: 10/14/15 at 11:13pm
It took a film that was subtle and beautiful and turned it into an artificial spectacle. When I first heard it was being adapted into a musical, I actually thought it was a very good idea because of how moving and simple the film is. I assumed the score would be a made up of folk and celtic music (perhaps similar to something like Once) it seemed an adaptation of the film would fittingly be very low-key and intimate. It instead is full of generic songs that would not feel out of place in the Coldplay songbook, passable performances and cringe-inducing attempts to be as pleasant and inoffensive as possible.
Posted: 10/14/15 at 11:43pm
because it shows that the ****tiest of **** can end up on Broadway as long as morons like Weinstein have money to splash.
Updated On: 10/14/15 at 11:43 PM
Posted: 10/15/15 at 12:52am
Can I just say that the person who wrote the cringe worthy book is also a writer for downtown abbey. And I really do have to say, Harvey really pushed for worst in his creative team. I think he knew that, but I also think he knows that General America is dumb so he dumbed down the show for a general American. If only he kept the original curve theatre idea. Also the song I like the most is Play, but I have to ask is that the one not written by Barlow?
Posted: 10/15/15 at 1:54am
Speaking only for myself, I hated it because I thought there wasn't a single decent song in the whole show. I was bored throughout. I didn't care about the characters and thought the acting and direction were particularly weak. I believe many other people have strong feelings about Weinstein, the creative team, etc - but I don't really care about any of that stuff. I just didn't find the evening enjoyable. I can usually find something to enjoy in any show - but the only thing I found enjoyable was the special effect at the end - which was a very fleeting and didn't make up for all the completely uninteresting things that proceeded it.
Posted: 10/15/15 at 4:49am
"This is why part of me thinks it is wise to stay away from a repeat visit to Something Rotten."
I saw Rotten twice and loved it both times. It's not to be taken seriously. It's purely chaotic comedy and I think it's pretty well done, especially compared to FN.
Posted: 10/15/15 at 10:03am
The opprobrium heaped on this show seems to have grown since it started, so something like the opposite of 'hype' is at work - let's call it 'snype' - which might also might explain why some people decide they didn't enjoy it after all, when they originally did...
Posted: 10/15/15 at 10:39am
People always like when someone dies and they cry or feel something. It makes them forget how terrible something is because they shed a tear. Sheep.
Posted: 10/15/15 at 10:42am
^ I dont understand how that relates to the topic, Finding Neverland hasn't died. Could you please elaborate?
Posted: 10/15/15 at 10:44am
I loved Something Rotten just as much the second time as well, but I went in with high expectations the first time.
Posted: 10/15/15 at 10:50am
Someone in the show dies and people love that. That's what I mean.
Posted: 10/15/15 at 10:52am
I actually loved the show in Boston very much. In NY, not nearly as much. I even saw in 2x at the ART.
I suppose what I found disappointing in the NY production (although I didn't dislike it) was that there weren't a lot of changes that I liked, and things I didn't care for stayed the same.
As for the hate? Whatcha gonna do? I'm not sure how others opinions affect your own.
Posted: 10/15/15 at 11:10am
I fell asleep during it ... twice. It didn't grab me at all.
Posted: 10/15/15 at 11:12am
Most of the professional reviews gave praise to the cast and they faired the best from the production during the awards season. I don't think that they where at fault.
Posted: 10/15/15 at 12:46pm
I've actually never seen the film and I enjoyed Finding Neverland. Not enough to go back, but it was more entertaining than I'd expected, and sustained that energy throughout. I certainly had a better time there than at Something Rotten, which doesn't even respect its own genre.
Posted: 10/15/15 at 12:55pm
I think it is the most pandering and generic thing I've ever seen. Also completely disregards everything that was actually interesting about Barrie.
Posted: 10/15/15 at 2:35pm
I've never seen the show, but I really like the cast recording. I don't take the show too seriously - that helps. I think people expect too much from musicals sometimes. It's just a fun musical. I don't think I've seen so much unnecessary vitriol/offense directed at a musical before on this board.
Updated On: 10/15/15 at 02:35 PM
Posted: 10/15/15 at 4:54pm
I personally think a lot of the animosity is from people who have decided that Harvey W. Is the anti-Christ, ignoring the fact that he has produced a number of terrific movies, and focusing on things that have nothing to do with the show. Then, there are people who don't like sentimentality. Then there are always gonna be folks who don't like it just because (I never particularly loved A Chorus Line and hated CATS, for example). I personally feel a lot has nothing to do with the show
My personal opinion: I loved it 3 times despite its flaws: I too thought the sets were awful, that some of the choreography was not good. I also loved the score (listen to the CD a few times), though the performances were solid -- I liked both Jordan and Morrison, I loved most of the staging (I can quibble here and there), and I loved the magic.
I tend to have pretty eclectic taste, and there is certainly room for this.
Updated On: 10/15/15 at 04:54 PM
Posted: 10/15/15 at 5:43pm
Harvey's behavior through the entire development of the show didn't help, because he made some terrible calls with creatives that make it such a hodge-podge of bland elements. And maybe it would have gotten a tech nomination or two at the Tonys if not for bad blood. But animosity is not the reason that the reception has been so poor. It's because the show is, to many seasoned theatregoers, or to people who know about Barrie or Peter Pan, nakedly incompetent. I love sincere sentimentality. Every move in this show intended to elicit an emotional response seemed cheap, unearned, and cynical to me.
Also, love the idea that Broadway theatre shouldn't be held to some kind of standard, and people are just too harsh if they don't like something. I love at least half of what I see. Especially in the past year. For musicals. We've been very lucky.
Updated On: 10/15/15 at 05:43 PM
Posted: 10/16/15 at 10:03am
"As for the hate? Whatcha gonna do? I'm not sure how others opinions affect your own."
It's 'groupthink', it's a problem in these sorts of forums. Same reason why Republicans think they've won elections, even after the results are in.
Posted: 10/16/15 at 10:10am
Oh, I know, THAT it does, but I don't get giving in to it. ie.....If the poster genuinely liked/loved/appreciated it, why bother even ASKING about the hate....that's like LOOKING for reasons to change your mind.
Posted: 10/16/15 at 10:53am
In the words of the great Lord: "Anything but lonely, Anything but empty rooms. There's so much in life to share. What's the sense when no one else is there?"
Posted: 10/17/15 at 1:28am
I have the best idea in the world. Shut the **** up and enjoy the show. It's wonderful. If you don't see flaws till the second time around great. Spend the money. Most are going once to enjoy the show and have fun. It's a wonderful show. Let loose. Get young. And honest to God, tell all the lame, one time, critics to shut the hell up. The show is great! Get out there and have fun! Because it is fun!!!!
Posted: 10/17/15 at 9:56am
So... gfaustswa = Harvey Weinstein?!
Posted: 10/17/15 at 10:05am
haterobics said: "So... gfaustswa = Harvey Weinstein?!
"
I think it's Diane Paulus
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