Unexpected Flops

[theatregeek02]

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.

[Musical Master]

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.

[Sutton Ross]

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.

[theatregeek02]

Also, I thought Bridges of Madison County would last longer than it did.

[RW3]

Rocky
Ghost

[Wickedlover56]

Bullets Over Broadway
The Little Mermaid
Young Frankenstein
Big Fish
Sister Act
The Pirate Queen
Ghost
Catch Me If You Can
Suessical
Spider Man

[Elfuhbuh]

Looking at really early posts on this board, people apparently expected Dracula to do well.

[Timmer]

Follies is a great show.

[Musical Master]

One of Sondheim's best shows, if staged right.

[Mr Roxy]

The big 4 musicals that closed this year.

[smallworld]

I think Drat the Cat could've been successful. I wasn't around to see it, but the score is a lot of fun and I think it really deserves another chance.

Mata Hari in 1967 could have been a classic, but alas we all know what happened with that.

[David2]

Easily Bullets Over Broadway.... I'm pretty sure they banked on this show being a massive hit especially with names like Woody Allen and Susan Stroman

[Sally Durant Plummer]

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).

[Emmaloucbway]

Definitely Bullets Over Broadway. Remember when Riedel wrote that article earlier this year predicting that it would be the biggest hit of the season?

[mikem]

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.

[songanddanceman2]

Bonnie and Clyde, I know Wildhorn shows close tend to bomb but this was a solid show with very positive early buzz.

I was shocked at the bad reception and failure of Ghost as well

[Mr Roxy]

No Wildhorn show will ever succeed in NY

[Hello, Ethel!]

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.

[Mr Roxy]

Angela L and a Herman score could not overcome bad source material for a musical.

[Borstalboy]

I think NICK AND NORA and CHESS (American production, of course) would top this list.

[ggersten]

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.

[chrisampm2]

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.

[nicnyc]

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...

[SNAFU]

Aren't all flops unexpected? I don't think anyone mounts a show expecting it to flop. That is unless you are in a Mel Brooks film.

[Junior Babcock]

Good News - Harry Rigby's follow-up to No, No, Nanette

[Wee Thomas2]

Odd Couple, with Lane and Broderick I thought would draw tourists until they tired of it.

I also thought it might be good.