Working on a bomb
Working on a bomb
Working on a bomb#1
Posted: 4/6/26 at 8:17pm
For those who have had the experience, how do you work on a show that is critically panned by critics? Or for a show where you know in your heart of hearts, this isn't very good ...
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/04
Working on a bomb#2
Posted: 4/6/26 at 8:22pm
Ensemble17701165943 said: "For those who have had the experience, how do you work on a show that is critically panned by critics? Or for a show where you know in your heart of hearts, this isn't very good ..."
Well, Flash, I guess you just quit the project and move on……..like you should do.
Working on a bomb#3
Posted: 4/6/26 at 9:01pm
Ensemble17701165943 said: "For those who have had the experience, how do you work on a show that is critically panned by critics? Or for a show where you know in your heart of hearts, this isn't very good ..."
I have to think New York housing costs are a pretty strong motivator.
Working on a bomb#4
Posted: 4/6/26 at 9:05pm
Well, that's obviously not the case, as there are many a show that open and stay open for a while that get destroyed by critics and the like ... I would think as an actor that would be rough.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/04
Working on a bomb#5
Posted: 4/6/26 at 9:15pm
Ensemble17701165943 said: "Well, that's obviously not the case, as there are many a show that open and stay open for a while that get destroyed by critics and the like ... I would think as an actor that would be rough."
Oh my god.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
Working on a bomb#6
Posted: 4/6/26 at 9:19pm
Ensemble17701165943 said: "Well, that's obviously not the case, as there are many a show that open and stay open for a while that get destroyed by critics and the like ... I would think as an actor that would be rough."
Beaches is closing, chill.
Working on a bomb#8
Posted: 4/6/26 at 9:34pm
Ensemble17701165943 said: "For those who have had the experience, how do you work on a show that is critically panned by critics? Or for a show where you know in your heart of hearts, this isn't very good ..."
Jess, at least you have Vosk on the Street. You’re incredibly talented (one of the best we have on Broadway, as far as I’m concerned) and you’ll bounce back quickly.
Featured Actor Joined: 1/8/24
Working on a bomb#9
Posted: 4/6/26 at 9:54pm
Ensemble17701165943 said: "For those who have had the experience, how do you work on a show that is critically panned by critics? Or for a show where you know in your heart of hearts, this isn't very good ..."
u have a pretty big audience to inquire what it feels like working on a bomb
just ask the casts of:
once upon a one more time
here lies love
harmony
how to dance in ohio
tommy
lempicka
the wiz
the heart of rock and roll
a wonderful world
tammy faye
swept away
redwood
boop
smash
the queen of versailles
Working on a bomb#11
Posted: 4/6/26 at 10:25pm
🎵oooohhhhhh, won't run lo-ooong
Woah-OAH!
WORKING ON A BOMB
Just invest, what could go wro-ong
WoaH-OAH!
WORKING ON A BO-OMB!🎵
Leading Actor Joined: 3/12/14
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/12/22
Working on a bomb#13
Posted: 4/6/26 at 11:32pm
Ensemble17701165943 said: "For those who have had the experience, how do you work on a show that is critically panned by critics? Or for a show where you know in your heart of hearts, this isn't very good ..."
I would hope you are professional and understand you are getting paid to perform and try your best to entertain the audience that paid money to see show.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
Working on a bomb#14
Posted: 4/6/26 at 11:45pm
ER765 said: "The title of this thread is crazy."
Lonny Price, Iris Rainer, and Mike Stoller rn:
Working on a bomb#15
Posted: 4/7/26 at 12:03am
I really haven’t been on this board long enough to “back in my day” but when I first got here, a title like this would excite me to see people’s experiences working on some of the bigger bombs in Broadway history.
Now it’s just the stalwarts and BroadwayFlash and these threads become a sitcom cutaway called “Go Away Flash” where everybody says something about the troll.
Broadway Star Joined: 11/1/23
Working on a bomb#16
Posted: 4/7/26 at 12:07am
Ensemble17701165943 said: "For those who have had the experience, how do you work on a show that is critically panned by critics? Or for a show where you know in your heart of hearts, this isn't very good ..."
Wicked and Gatsby were critically panned and are still here. Reviews have power, but don’t always mean a long life. The Tony Award winning Strange Loop lasted 9 months and didn’t recoup. Just in Time is a sleeper hit. None of it really makes sense.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
Working on a bomb#17
Posted: 4/7/26 at 1:09am
Ensemble1698878795 said: "Ensemble17701165943 said: "For those who have had the experience, how do you work on a show that is critically panned by critics? Or for a show where you know in your heart of hearts, this isn't very good ..."
Wicked and Gatsby were critically panned and are still here. Reviews have power, but don’t always mean a long life. The Tony Award winning Strange Loop lasted 9 months and didn’t recoup. Just in Time is a sleeper hit. None of it really makes sense."
Surely, Wicked got mixed to positive reviews and was not panned at all.
Broadway Star Joined: 11/1/23
Working on a bomb#18
Posted: 4/7/26 at 1:19am
blaxx said: "Ensemble1698878795 said: "Ensemble17701165943 said: "For those who have had the experience, how do you work on a show that is critically panned by critics? Or for a show where you know in your heart of hearts, this isn't very good ..."
Wicked and Gatsby were critically panned and are still here. Reviews have power, but don’t always mean a long life. The Tony Award winning Strange Loop lasted 9 months and didn’t recoup. Just in Time is a sleeper hit. None of it really makes sense."
Surely, Wicked got mixed to positive reviews and was not panned at all."
Amongst the industry it was panned. Not expected to last and lost the Tony.
Featured Actor Joined: 1/8/24
Working on a bomb#19
Posted: 4/7/26 at 1:29am
blaxx said: "Ensemble1698878795 said: "Ensemble17701165943 said: "For those who have had the experience, how do you work on a show that is critically panned by critics? Or for a show where you know in your heart of hearts, this isn't very good ..."
Wicked and Gatsby were critically panned and are still here. Reviews have power, but don’t always mean a long life. The Tony Award winning Strange Loop lasted 9 months and didn’t recoup. Just in Time is a sleeper hit. None of it really makes sense."
Surely, Wicked got mixed to positive reviews and was not panned at all."
wrong
MezzoDiva47 has spoken
bow down accordingly
Working on a bomb#20
Posted: 4/7/26 at 7:48am
I've worked on a couple of terrible musicals. You know if it sucks if you've got any taste, you stay in your lane and you do your job.
Doesn't mean you aren't glad for employment but the pearl-clutching histrionics from the most basic Disney Adult-esque Broadway fans when a terrible show closes about how yOu ShoUldN'T ceLeBraTe peOpLe loSiNg JoBs are hilarious.
Wicked was not *panned*. Gatsby was and deserved worse and is still running on name recognition (or as I like to call this case, stolen valor).
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/12/22
Working on a bomb#21
Posted: 4/7/26 at 8:34am
Scarywarhol said: "I've worked on a couple of terrible musicals. You know if it sucks if you've got any taste, you stay in your lane and you do your job.
Doesn't mean you aren't glad for employment but the pearl-clutching histrionics from the most basic Disney Adult-esque Broadway fans when a terrible show closes about how yOu ShoUldN'T ceLeBraTe peOpLe loSiNg JoBs are hilarious.
Wicked was not *panned*. Gatsby was and deserved worse and is still running on name recognition (or as I like to call this case, stolen valor)."
Yes, it was which included the NY Times (Ben Brantley). Only positive thing from him was the performance of Kristen Chenowith.
Leading Actor Joined: 9/25/24
Working on a bomb#22
Posted: 4/7/26 at 8:39am
n2nbaby said: "Ensemble17701165943 said: "For those who have had the experience, how do you work on a show that is critically panned by critics? Or for a show where you know in your heart of hearts, this isn't very good ..."
Jess, at least you have Vosk on the Street. You’re incredibly talented (one of the best we have on Broadway, as far as I’m concerned) and you’ll bounce back quickly."
I'm confused as to why we're referring to this user as Jess?
Understudy Joined: 1/3/07
Working on a bomb#23
Posted: 4/7/26 at 8:54am
Heart of Rock and Roll was a blast and got rave reviews across the boards. They just had no advance in a crazy season of over 30 new shows. If it opened this season, could be a contender for Best New Musical. It knew what it was and was cheeky great fun. Not a bomb. That cast loved their show fyi.
Working on a bomb#24
Posted: 4/7/26 at 9:36am
Wicked received mixed critical reception overall- certainly not a response that would indicate a generational megahit but also not a dragging over the coals- and over time that has morphed into “Wicked got panned!”
As for working on a bad show or a flop: we all work jobs we don’t like, for companies we don’t really believe in, etc. People in theatre have to do the same. This is not an industry that could function if people only worked when it was their dream job.
Working on a bomb#25
Posted: 4/7/26 at 11:45am
Zeppie2022 said: "Scarywarhol said: "I've worked on a couple of terrible musicals. You know if it sucks if you've got any taste, you stay in your lane and you do your job.
Doesn't mean you aren't glad for employment but the pearl-clutching histrionics from the most basic Disney Adult-esque Broadway fans when a terrible show closes about how yOu ShoUldN'T ceLeBraTe peOpLe loSiNg JoBs are hilarious.
Wicked was not *panned*. Gatsby was and deserved worse and is still running on name recognition (or as I like to call this case, stolen valor)."
Yes, it was which included the NY Times (Ben Brantley). Only positive thing from him was the performance of Kristen Chenowith."
I know it's a fool's errand to try to reason with any of your usernames, but a review that praises a performer is not a pan and a negative review or even several major negative ones does not mean that a show was panned at large, these words have meanings.
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