Working on a bomb

[Ensemble17701165943]

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 ...

[Matt Rogers]

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. 

[Alex Kulak2]

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.

[Ensemble17701165943]

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. 

[Matt Rogers]

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. 

[blaxx]

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.

[Ensemble17701165943]

Posted: 4/6/26 at 9:33pm

🤷

[n2nbaby]

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. 

[MezzoDiva47]

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

 

[Ensemble17701165943]

Posted: 4/6/26 at 10:17pm

Reviews have not posted for Beaches yet. 

[KevinKlawitter]

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!🎵

[ER765]

Posted: 4/6/26 at 10:53pm

The title of this thread is crazy. 

[Zeppie2022]

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.

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/6/26 at 11:45pm

ER765 said: "The title of this thread is crazy."

Lonny Price, Iris Rainer, and Mike Stoller rn:

[Ke3]

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.

[Ensemble1698878795]

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. 

[blaxx]

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.

[Ensemble1698878795]

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. 

[MezzoDiva47]

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

[Scarywarhol]

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). 

[Zeppie2022]

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.

[witchoftheeast2]

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?

[always bway]

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. 

Updated On: 4/7/26 at 08:54 AM

[Kad]

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. 

Updated On: 4/7/26 at 09:36 AM

[Scarywarhol]

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.