Andrew Lippa Question- Page 2

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 1:46pm

It is all a matter of opinion

Almost everyone loved The Producers but some did not. Fish did not get horrible reviews and with a more bankable (to tourists) star it might have lasted longer. These would be considered unanimous raves for a Wildhorn show. He gets roasted here but is a success outside the US. Who is right and who is wrong. The problem is people put to much stock in the critics. Shows they have raved about I loathed & ones they panned I liked . I agreed with them also re good and bad ones. Unfortunately with prices at ridiculous levels more and more people will listen to them than ever before .

A friend of mine who was a TV producer told me once he went to a show and a critic was in front of him speaking to a friend. He told his friend before it started he intended to pan the show in the hopes of closing it as an actor was in the show he did not like

Fair & objective? Wildhorn is to critics is like waving a red flag in front of a bull. No way can they be objective as they know before they go in that they will not like it. It seems to be that way with Lippa but not as obvious as it is with Wildhorn.

[philly03]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 2:03pm

I think Lippa's problem is he can't write a memorable tune. As noted above, his scores are "serviceable" and he is certainly a talented musician... But they are lacking.

Lippa has somehow been spared much critical sabotage (He got lucky too getting that Addams Tony nomination by default!), but I find it odd at his age that people still give him the benefit of the doubt and "the potential is there" type reviews.

That being said, I rather like the score to A Little Princess as well. The Addams Family overture is great too - He is very good at manipulating other people's tunes and meshing it into something new ("Almost Christmas" comes to mind too).

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 2:07pm

"Serviceable" to one is very good to another & visa versa

It is all a matter of opinion . This is all it comes down to

[HogansHero]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 2:12pm

Roxy, I'm afraid what you are doing is trying to rationalize the gulf between what you like and a show's failure to find an audience. Critics (your apocryphal story notwithstanding) are,at best, just like everyone else except perhaps with broader knowledge. One doesn't need to be able to do something to criticize it. (The same is true of teachers-some of the best acting teachers have never acted.) And most critics have no agenda different from anyone else-they want to like every show they see. Similarly, being able to do something-even well-doesn't mean you know more about its appeal. Just like you and me, Jimmy Buffett has his own tastes, and they are no better or worse than anyone else's, critics or othewise. The bottom line is that, for whatever reasons, this show did not find an audience, and while the reviews may not have helped the show's fortunes, there are plenty of shows that prove that the reviews will not kill a show that audiences want to see and hear.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 2:21pm

Critics roasted Boy From Oz. There are 2 words as to why it did not close opening night: Hugh Jackman. Generally any show that is panned by the critics will only succeed with a following already in place. A show panned with no stars will close faster than the speed of sound.

The story has to be untrue because a critic would never do something like that right? One word comes to mind re your apocryphal statement: Naive . No disrespect intended but the man who told it to me had no reason to lie and nothing to gain by doing so.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 3:07pm

Roxy, the notion that a show panned with no stars will close faster than the speed of sound is demonstrably untrue. There are many examples, but in a world in which Wicked is running, it seems especially silly to say.

Re the overheard critic: I am not doubting that your friend heard it, but it's just an anecdote, without any substance. First, it is a logical fallacy to conclude based on it that the larger proposition is true. Second, we know nothing of the context? Who was the person overheard? What did he mean by it? Was it said in jest? I assume you don't now the answer to any of these questions. Finally, from my own personal experience, I know the sentiment to be atypical even if it were meant. Reputable critics for reputable publications scrupulously avoid saying ANYTHING about a show while in the theatre or within east earshot before the review comes out. So what are we to conclude? That some internet blogger had an agenda? Sure, I don't doubt there is a person in this world who said it. But what does that prove? I'm afraid if you are going to try to develop some kind of conspiracy theory for why a show you liked closed, you're gonna have to work harder than that.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 3:20pm

OP, Wildhorn has had 3 shows on Broadway in the past 3 years. I wouldn't categorize that as being "gone from the scene." Unsuccessful shows, yes, but he keeps coming back and will again. As for Lippa, his scores are neither world-class nor downright embarrassing. But that middle ground is a dangerous place to tread.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 3:24pm

Hogan.We will agree to disagree. I respect your opinion but disagree

Wilmington. He will return as long as investors keeping giving him money but good review are out of the question. Bonnie & Clyde gave him the best reviews he will ever get sad to say.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 3:50pm

^ Unless, of course, he ends up with a hit show. Stranger things have happened in this crazy business.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 4:23pm

Thinking about it a bit more, I don't think Wildhorn and Lippa align very well for discussing all of this. Wildhorn has written songs of unquestionably broad appeal but the general consensus has been that they are junky from a musical theatre standpoint. I don't think folks generally view Lippa's work as junk, but unquestionably his work has never found broad appeal. What they have in common is that neither has done work that helped make a show commercially successful.

[darquegk]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 6:13pm

WIldhorn writes great pop ballads, and Lippa writes great audition songs. The shows they are in are often a little less important than that.