I don't get to see a lot of shows, as I don't live in New York. So I'm going to be honest and say that I haven't seen either of the two shows I'll mention, I've just heard the music. PotO and Spamalot. Spamalot was charming the first, like, three listens through and then it just got to be obnoxious. I just can't stand listening to Phantom at all. It's so annoying.
And Wicked, while not being the worst show on Broadway, is probably up there with the most obnoxious. That I HAVE seen.
As for shows that I woud just never see, Jersey Boys, Mama Mia (or just any ukebox musical, for that matter), Hot Feet, Tarzan. Just no interest there.
I think The Producers is mediocre (seen it), Chicago is a good musical, I don't know about the current production as I haven't seen it. ANd even though I positively adore Rent, I do have to agree tha tit's getting stale. I listened to the OBCR for two years and finally got to see it on Broadway and, as someone else has said, I was actually being distracted during ICY:R and Goodbye Love. It broke my heart that I wasn't completely engaged in it. It must be the cast. I didn't enjoy Matt Caplan at all as Mark.
"I can't figure out what kind of life this is, comedy or tragedy, I just know it's showbiz. And what if I don't agree with the lines I have to read? They don't pay me enough, the way I see it."