Seeing 100+ productions ever year, I'm always surprised by how many don't promise much, but deliver a great evening (and the reverse too!). Have any examples (and explanations) that come to mind?
The Facebook 'On This Day' facility reminded me about the opening night of Thriller - Live! I didn't think it would take off at all. Just call me Nostradamus.
In recent times, the failure of Stephen Ward, I think, was surprising. Well, not after you see the show - but in the runup and buildup, it looked to be a hit - despite its tawdry subject matter.
I think it's surprising that the Miss Saigon revival is ending after only 18 months or so.
I think it's partially surprising that Charlie is a hit (or may be a hit - who knows whether it is actually making any money given reports of closed balconies and seat movements) - partially, because the name has appeal, but I have yet to meet anyone who liked the show.
I loved A level Playing Field last year, despite its very young cast and "devised" development. On the other hand, I was left cold by The Winter's Tale, which the critics loved.
Miss Saigon is a surprise that it hasn't had a longer run, great reviews, which were well deserved but sensible to close whilst it still has respectable audience levels. However, even from before it opened its claims of box office records were clearly not founded as you could always get tickets easily. Wasn't the production planned as one easy to transfer to a touring format.
I actually liked Stephen Ward, both the score and overall production, but for the life of me couldn't think who the target audience was.I think its the only time I've ever seen a show in its first few weeks playing to a matinee audience of all about 250 and been asked to sit where I wanted in the stalls
It really was a pity about Stephen Ward, the recording has some great stuff on it. Sadly closed a week or so both I got to see it , maybe twenty years from now someone will revisit it and find a way to make it work
Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist.
Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino.
This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more.
Tazber's: Reply to
Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian