Shows you thought you would hate but ended up loving...

[EspinosaRoscioliBlock]

Any theatre experiences where you had no interest in going, (dragged by a friend) or just thought it was way over hyped and there was no way youd like it, but went anyway, and then you end up loving the show and having your opinion completely changed? For me some that come to mind are LEGALLY BLONDE (OBC and West End) PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (2015-2016 Broadway) WAITRESS (OBC) BILLY ELLIOT, HEATHERS (OG), HADESTOWN... all shows that I thought I wouldnt be fond of and ended up really appreciating them...

[bwayphreak234]

Girl From the North Country at the Public last year - I had heard comparisons to The Band's Visit and Once (two shows I did not particularly care for), and was told by many that I would most likely hate the show. I ended up LOVING it.

[magictodo123]

Hair-my grandparents forced me to wait in line in Central Park for tickets. I LOVED the show!!

Spongebob!! My friend won free tickets and took me. I didn’t think I would hate it. I just didn’t know what to expect. I really liked it.

[dramamama611]

Titanic. My students picked it for our annual trip and I had been unimpressed with what I saw on the Tonys.

Fell in love.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Once. I had heard a few songs and knew the gist of the plot, and thought it sounded so dull and uninteresting. I only went because a friend was sick and couldn’t use their ticket and offered it to me for free. Well, I was floored by the beauty of the show. The music that I didn’t care for on a first listen gripped me when I heard it in the context of the show, being played by the onstage actor-musicians. I came to really care for the characters over the course of the evening and was emotionally devastated by the end. I ended up making a return trip, as well as catching it on tour, and I never lost any admiration for it upon repeat viewings. The score still isn’t something that I often enjoy listening to outside the context of the show, but when all the pieces come together, it’s incredible.

[dmwnc1959]

Come From Away.

Zero interest. It was part of the season subscription package.

And even on the day of the show I really almost didn’t drive up to Pittsburgh to see it. Forced myself. 

What a huge mistake that would have been to have missed this little masterpiece. Loved the show.

[TNick926]

BEETLEJUICE! BEETLEJUICE! BEETLEJUICE!  I saw it the night after I had seen TOOTSIE (for which I had high expectations and found myself disappointed - just not engaged - didn't feel like anything special); meanwhile, low expectations for Beetlejuice, and I was pleasantly delighted!  I saw it mainly because my friend Leslie Kritzer is in it, and I knew she would be great, but wow!  The show was hilarious, thrillingly staged, brilliantly designed, terrific performances by everyone involved, especially Alex Brightman and Sophie Ann Caruso (a true find!)...most surprising was how ultimately moving it was regarding death and grief, and yet never maudlin, nor does it stay in that territory very long - just long enough the bring tears to my eyes...  Definitely one of my best "surprised to love" shows in recent years! :)

[LLW2]

This is a fun thread. Mine are Dear Evan Hansen and Once on This Island.

Having heard a few songs from Dear Evan Hansen, I figured it was overhyped and manipulative, but was happily surprised to discover that I loved it when I saw it. (Although I still roll my eyes at “So Big So Small.” Come on.) The promotional videos for Once on This Island left me cold, but once I was immersed in the experience, I loved that too.

[jagman1062]

I wouldn't say I loved it, but I enjoyed Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.  It was panned by the critics and word of mouth wasn't kind, so I almost skipped going to the see the show.  Thankfully, I was meeting a friend and she thought we should go anyway.  I thought the show was quirky and the kinetic energy of the show tried to capture the spirit of the original film.  The nature of the show seemed to have been lost on many theater-goers.  I also thought Laura Benanti deserved the Tony that year. I still enjoy the original cast recording of the show.

[BeNice]

The Prom! I laughed a ton and was moved to tears. Was not expecting that at all!

[Fosse76]

Billy Elliot and to a degree Caroline, or Change. I have a lot more on the other side.

[Ahmy]

Beautiful. I only went because I ended up winning the ticket lottery when the tour stopped in Vancouver. I had no idea what to expect, and was pleasantly surprised. And might drag my mom to see it when (I think it's the 2nd national tour, although it's not on their website.) it goes to Victoria.
Be More Chill is another show that I went in preparing to strongly dislike. (I found a $20 ticket on stubhub, and figured I should at least give it a chance). I don't love it, but I didn't hate it at all, and I know middle school/high school me would've loved it.

[Kitsune]

I didn't necessarily think I would hate it, but I had no real expectations for Head Over Heels. I was mainly interested in seeing Taylor Iman Jones (Groundhog Day alum) and Jeremy Kushnier (who I had seen in touring productions as a teenager).

I know it's a polarizing show, but I fell in love. In between San Francisco and New York, I saw it seven times that year.

[Stellasteve]

The first national tour for the Roundabout Cabaret revival.  I saw it in December 1999 at the Curran with Joely Fisher as Sally and Norbert Leo Butz at the Emcee.  My girlfriend and her friends bought the tickets and took me and the other boyfriends along.  I literally thought it was going to be a cabaret show and was dreading the evening.  Plus, I hated my job and had just given my notice without another job lined up so the cost of dinner and the show was weighing on my mind.  The first act had me laughing at the debauchery ("Two Ladies", and the darkness of the second act took me by surprise and left me drained emotionally by the end.  It was such a moving piece of theater and was the exact opposite of what I was expecting from the night.  It's still in my top 5 favorite shows 20 years later.

[Lot666]

Chicago

[ABitOnTheSide]

I was dragged by a friend to see Parade at the Vivien Beaumont the last week of the show. It sounded like such a depressing story.

Best decision of my life!

[Mike Barrett]

BeNice said: "The Prom! I laughed a ton and was moved to tears. Was not expecting that at all!"

This, this, THIS!!! I frankly only bought a ticket because I wanted to support this LGBTQ friendly show (not that other shows arent but this was the targeted demo), I'm always willing to take more of a risk with a comedy than a drama, but the premise seemed odd to me. I read reviews and they were so strong but I still wasn't sold on the concept for this show for some reason. Needless to say, I bought a ticket and had the night of my life. From the second Dee Dee and Barry got on stage I knew we were in for a special treat. I recognize it isn't perfect by any means, but the score just makes me feel so happy and inspired. I saw this show in total 4 times! 

[poisonivy2]

Waitress. I had seen the movie and didn't think it would be an interesting musical. I was only curious after the Tony performance. I've now been to the diner 6 times. 

[bekk99]

The Prom. I describe it as "that show had no right to be as good as it was".

[SisterGeorge]

poisonivy2 said: "Waitress. I had seen the movie and didn't think it would be an interesting musical. I was only curious after the Tony performance. I've now been to the diner 6 times."

Same here. Finally saw it when Gavin Creel joined the cast and ended up liking it a lot. 

[mpkie]

Kitsune said: "I didn't necessarily think I would hate it, but I had no real expectations for Head Over Heels. I was mainly interested in seeing Taylor Iman Jones (Groundhog Day alum) and Jeremy Kushnier (who I had seen in touring productions as a teenager).

I know it's a polarizing show, but I fell in love. In between San Francisco and New York, I saw it seven times that year."

Ooh me too! I loved Head Over Heels and almost missed it! I had no interest in seeing it because it was getting panned by this board and saw it on a whim because my friend randomly texted me to go see a show and I picked this one because I hadn't seen it yet. I realize I don't really know what people on this board LIKE because I've hated, disliked, or felt entirely lukewarm to many things that are raved about on this board.

[InTheBathroom1]

I second Beetlejuice and The Prom

[Alex Kulak2]

When I first listened to the cast recording for The Band's Visit, it sounded like 100% not my thing. I saw it on Broadway, saw the live musicians doing their thing, the energy behind it. It's still one of the greatest theatrical experiences I've ever witnessed.

[Impossible2]

The Great Comet.

Thought it sounded like a pretentious load of wank.

I avoided it for years and finally gave in when it was on Broadway and loved every second of it.

 

[yankeefan7]

My wife and I were dragged to go and see "In The Heights" years ago and to put it mildly were not big hip hop fans. Much to our surprise, we loved it -lol.