What are some shows that were expected to be very successful but flopped? Rocky is one for sure. I expected Rocky to be successful, especially with tourists, but obviously I was wrong.
FOLLIES is what enters my mind when it comes to people who expected it to be Sondheim's big hit but when it closed it lost money. Maybe not a flop with a capital "F", but close enough.
I thought Big Fish was going to be successful, and people who saw it really seemed to love it. There has been many theories and opinions about why it failed, but I think the score had the most to do with it. I also thought Bonnie and Clyde would run longer.
Women in the Verge was a huge surprise. Before it opened, it was extremely hyped - a great star-studded cast, a score by a new up and coming composer who already had 2 moderate hits, and fantastic source material. Now, we can all look back to when our humble message board graced news boards because of the insane preview thread (and of course that Kyle monster).
"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir
Rocky, If/Then, and Bullets over Broadway all opened within a month of each other and were highly anticipated. If/Then might still recoup if Idina sticks around, but the failure of all 3 shows to come anywhere close to meeting expectations was a big surprise (and opened the door for Gentlemen's Guide's financial success this spring and summer).
Enron also came in with huge hype and closed quickly.
"What was the name of that cheese that I like?"
"you can't run away forever...but there's nothing wrong with getting a good head start"
"well I hope and I pray, that maybe someday, you'll walk in the room with my heart"
Dear World. It was the follow-up to the fabulous Mame, with the same writing team and star, and also happened to be equally fabulous, but flopped anyways.
I think NICK AND NORA and CHESS (American production, of course) would top this list.
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
I think LoveMusik seemed unexpected - but then most of the anticipation was before anyone saw the show. Seemed to have great credentials going in - and there was Tony talk by people before anyone saw the show. 24 previews, 60 performances.
LoveMusik ran a limited engagement in a subscriber house. It ranks as a critical and popular disappointment, but not a flop. I thought it was muted but fine, with superb performances, including a galvanizing one from David Pittu as Brecht.
I loved Big Fish, cried my heart out at the ending - and was shocked it didn't find an audience. The score was not great - I'll give its' detractors that - but the direction and performances and the heart of the show more than made up for it in my opinion...