Favorite Flop?- Page 4

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/22/19 at 10:21am

Someone in a Tree2 said: "To Mr Roxy and Sushisake, thanks for the fond nod to LEGS DIAMOND, the last production on Broadway I worked on, night and day for 6 months."

3 or 4 good numbers. Rest of score left me cold. Guaranteed if it were revived with Hugh Jackman in the lead it would be a smash hit 

Updated On: 11/22/19 at 10:21 AM

[markypoo]

Posted: 11/22/19 at 10:36am

henrikegerman said: "TRIUMPH OF LOVE"

The show has the greatest curtain line ever.

 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/22/19 at 10:48am

[title of show]

Escape to Margaritaville

The Full Monty

Big Fish

The Full Monty was a hit.  And from that same season, I forgot to add to my list...JANE EYRE!  I absolutely LOVED that show.

The set was no set. 

I remember a static unit set with broken columns and some other clutter, some risers for people to stand on for no apparent reason, and lots of projections.

[a-mad]

Posted: 11/22/19 at 11:35am

GHOST the Musical

I didn't see it on Broadway, but I fell in love with the music, and they did a Regional production here that was really well done. I would have loved to have seen Caissie Levy sing those songs live...

[bear88]

Posted: 11/22/19 at 4:18pm

Ledaero said: "bear88 said: "I'm the sixth or seventh person to say Great Comet."

I know this has already been discussed earlier, but I would like to bring up the question again: What constitutes a flop in this conversation? I don't think financial flop is a good enough definition because the majority of shows don't recoup in general nowadays. Take for examplea show like the Great Comet:by any fiscal definition this show was a MAJOR flop (recouping less than 20% of its budget), but the show ran for 11 months, garnered 12 Tony nominations in all major categories, and has a thriving fan base on the internet. I would never consider Comet a "flop," but I would consider it a financial failure. I would argue that a flop is a show that closes unexpectedly early after an extremely short run (less than 3 months?). Anyone agree or disagree, have further thoughts? Would love for this board to be more specific.

This issue has been raised in other threads, and I'm not the best person to respond, but I'm just sticking with the classic definition. A flop is a commercial show that didn't recoup. In the case of Great Comet, as you point out, it didn't come close to recouping. The musical doesn't feel like a flop in many ways, because it was nominated for a host of awards, was largely praised by critics, and is fondly recalled by people who loved it. Shoot, the show's popularity allowed Dave Malloy to raise money for a cast recording for the off-Broadway show Octet in less than a day. Its director won a Tony for her next show.

I'll concede that using recouping as the standard leaves everyone with many shows to choose in a thread like this, because most don't make money. But all the other criteria (internet popularity and critics' reviews or popularity on message boards like this) are subjective. 

Great Comet wasn't a flop the way my other choice, Head Over Heels, was a flop, because a lot more people bothered to see it in the first place. But it was still a flop, because "flop" refers to the fact that it was a major financial failure. There have been other threads asking what shows people loved that were regarded as lousy at the time. That seems like a different question.

 

[AADA81]

Posted: 11/22/19 at 6:47pm

Candide 1956

Goldilocks 1958

Juno 1959

Greenwillow 1960

Anyone Can Whistle 1964

Dear World 1969

Mack and Mabel 1974

Merrily We Roll Along 1981

Caroline, or Change 2004

A Catered Affair 2008

[markypoo]

Posted: 11/22/19 at 7:39pm

Now and forever:

Home Sweet Homer

(Odyssey, when I saw it).

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/22/19 at 8:04pm

Saw Homer i allegedly have Playbill signed by Brunner . You gave in Playbill at stage.door He signs it and they mailed it back to you . Only an authenticator would know for sure. He did not sign at stage door. He jumped into.limo and sped away. Remember nothing of the show

Updated On: 11/22/19 at 08:04 PM

[markypoo]

Posted: 11/22/19 at 8:17pm

Mr Roxy:
You were thoroughly gracious enough to provide me with audio cassettes of another of my favorite flops (which - this time - I didn't see) years ago:

ARI - 1971.

I get it out every now and then and give it a listen.

Thanks so much.

[ccbway]

Posted: 11/22/19 at 8:26pm

Can't believe I'm the only person to say - Groundhog Day.
I loved it. It was hilarious, the staging was very cool, the music was great, and Andy Karl was terrific. I still don't understand how it flopped, tbh.

[Impossible2]

Posted: 11/22/19 at 8:35pm

bear88 said: "Ledaero said: "bear88 said: "I'm the sixth or seventh person to say Great Comet."

I know this has already been discussed earlier, but I would like to bring up the question again: What constitutes a flop in this conversation? I don't think financial flop is a good enough definition because the majority of shows don't recoup in general nowadays. Take for examplea show like the Great Comet:by any fiscal definition this show was a MAJOR flop (recouping less than 20% of its budget), but the show ran for 11 months, garnered 12 Tony nominations in all major categories, and has a thriving fan base on the internet. I would never consider Comet a "flop," but I would consider it a financial failure. I would argue that a flop is a show that closes unexpectedly early after an extremely short run (less than 3 months?). Anyone agree or disagree, have further thoughts? Would love for this board to be more specific.

This issue has been raised in other threads, and I'm not the best person to respond, but I'm just sticking with the classic definition. A flop is a commercial show that didn't recoup. In the case of Great Comet, as you point out, it didn't come close to recouping. The musical doesn't feel like a flop in many ways, because it was nominated for a host of awards, was largely praised by critics, and is fondly recalled by people who lovedit. Shoot, the show's popularity allowed Dave Malloy to raise money for a cast recording for the off-Broadway showOctet in less than a day. Its director won a Tony for her next show.

I'll concede that using recouping as the standard leaves everyone with many shows to choose in a thread like this, because most don't make money. But all the other criteria (internet popularity and critics' reviews or popularity on message boards like this) are subjective.

Great Comet wasn't a flopthe way my other choice, Head Over Heels, was a flop, because a lot more people bothered to see it in the first place. But it was still a flop, because "flop" refers to the fact that it was a major financial failure. There have been other threads asking what shows people loved that were regarded as lousy at the time. That seems like a different question.

"

It also had what 3 seperate productions in NYC before it's Broadway opening.

I don't consider it a flop, I just think the producers spent way too much money on the Broadway production.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/23/19 at 9:02am

You are quite welcome Marky

[Jarethan]

Posted: 11/23/19 at 10:59am

Mr Roxy said: "Too many to mention. I confess I love almost all of them

Honorable mention

Rockabye Hamlet

Darling Of The Day. - actually met Price afterwards
Gantry - Closed opening night
What Makes Sammy Run
Baker Street
Via Galactica
Golden Rainbow
Gotta Go Disco
Ilya Darling
Big Fish
It's A Bird It's A Plane It's Superman
Inner City


No.longer attend due to insane prices, health issues for both of us and weariness over actors feeling the need to bloviate on politics. We paid to be entertained and not watch and listen to actors get on their soapbox. We had a good run and sadly all good things must end. This post should elicit some heated responses. Enjoy and to all a happy holiday season and happy thanksgiving

By the way we both hated Book of Mormon and loved American Psycho. Many of those from other posters I enjoyed before I married and others we both loved .By the way our wedding song was This is The Moment and we both love Wildhorn"

First of all, it is great to see you posting again.  I always enjoyed your point of view.  

I am particularly delighted that you included Darling of the Day.  I loved that show (saw it on opening night, and there were probably 50 empty seats in the rear mezzanine, so I guess it was doomed).  I was very surprised that it didn't get a better chance at a run, given the number of raves it got, although the then powerful NYT dismissed it.  It was flawed, e.g., to me, the opening number was deadly), but had so many great moments.  To this day, I listen to the OCR pretty regularly, although I have cut a couple of the songs out.  

I also loved Inner City, particularly Linda Hopkins' solo on the second act that had the entire (1/3 filled) Barrymore theatre enraptured.  Paid for the last row in the rear mezzanine and sat no further back than half-way in the orchestra, in the center.

Also loved Golden Rainbow, which must have been one of the top guilty pleasures in my theatre lifetime.  I say this because, no matter that I enjoyed it, I really did think that it was pretty cheesy.  I also wondered whether it would have been nearly as enjoyable if Steve and Eydie did not go out of character smooch during the second act,when they had the audience in stitches...being Steve and Eydie.  I don't think I ever saw so much 'ad-libbing' as they did, even though I actually think it was scripted, as it occurred both times I saw it.

Also really enjoyed Its a Bird...especially Linda Lavin's performance.  I never did understand why it had such a short tun...it even got a rave from the NYT.

But I am surprised to see What Makes Sammy Run on the list.  I just remember being very bored when I saw that show and thrilled when it was over.  I have occasionally wondered whether I was just too young for it, as I was only 15 when I saw it.  I also didn't like Big Fish, but it didn't help that Butz was pretty bad in the first act and was replaced in the second act (which made me assume that he was sick in the first act)

I had no interest in seeing Via G art the time, and have often regretted over the years that I did not.  I assume the staging must have been fun (I seem to remember there was a lot of use of trampolines to convey weightlessness???).

Did you ever see King of Hearts.  I did not list it when I listed my choices (because my list was short), but I really loved that, and still remember the incredible sets.  It may be true that you dont leave the theatre humming the sets, but those were amazing.  

 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/23/19 at 11:29am

I can't comment on anything in the last 4 years going forward. I can only comment on things before that .Will send you a detailed response to your last post as a pm shortly. See ya

[GreatWhiteGay]

Posted: 11/23/19 at 12:37pm

Parade - didn't see the original production but the NY Phil concert and regional productions blew me away

Be More Chill - the Broadway production scrubbed a bit of the charm away, but still one of the best scores in recent years

Bright Star - another great score

Bandstand - Laura singing Welcome Home was worth the price of admission alone

Great Comet - such a shame

Finding Neverland - they should have kept Jeremy

Little Women - could use a revival

[Nycat63]

Posted: 11/23/19 at 1:09pm

I have to go with Taboo - Boy George wrote an incredible pop score for musical theater. The book was a bit wonky but it still deserved better than it got on Broadway (I know there were other factors at play there).

[Jarethan]

Posted: 11/23/19 at 6:39pm

GreatWhiteGay said: "Parade - didn't see the original production but the NY Phil concert and regional productions blew me away

Be More Chill - the Broadway production scrubbed a bit of the charm away, but still one of the best scores in recent years

Bright Star - another great score

Bandstand - Laura singing Welcome Home was worth the price of admission alone

Great Comet - such a shame

Finding Neverland - they should have kept Jeremy

Little Women - could use a revival"

Your post made me realize that all of my favorite fops were not 40 years ago.  I absolutely loved Bandstand (mega) and was really bumbed that it did not have a much longer run.  I play the OCR a lot.  

I also loved Neverland enough to see it 5 times, twice in Boston, twice in NYC, and one in Sarasota.  I mention this because I saw three very different first 20 minutes and did not think any one of them really worked.  Once I got past those 20 minutes, I loved it, as did everyone I know who saw it.

Enjoyed Great Comet and Bright Star, but would not include them in a list of favorites.  Rather, unexpected pleasures (for me), as I didn't expect to like either of them.  

 

[markypoo]

Posted: 11/23/19 at 8:42pm

Anyone who missed out on the original production of Parade missed a cherished (to me, anyway) event.
Can theater really pack such a punch?
And it's been over 20 years.
Sigh.

In addition - and IMHO - it should've won the Best Musical Tony in that unusual season.

Updated On: 11/23/19 at 08:42 PM

[dangeresque49]

Posted: 11/24/19 at 10:31pm

Great Comet is a on stage experience I will never forget. Josh Groban was amazing up close as were the other members of the cast.. The sound was amazing. And although other posters consider this no so much of a flop because of critical acclaim, I do because the show was so dependent on the theater setup and the main lead being a professional musician as Josh was. I can't see people likely spend the money to make this work in regional productions that would also pay off the debt.

[clever2]

Posted: 11/25/19 at 12:51am

Updated On: 11/25/19 at 12:51 AM

Posted: 11/25/19 at 11:49am

IN MY LIFE, if only for the classic Brantley review pull-quote, "finally the real "Springtime for Hitler" has arrived in New York!"

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 11/25/19 at 12:11pm

Bridges of Madison County

Bonnie and Clyde

Parade

[BroadwayAndSports]

Posted: 11/25/19 at 2:32pm

Two recent ones:

1) BANDSTAND, it blew me away with the subject matter, the storytelling, and all the performances. Welcome Home is still one of my favorite Broadway songs ever. 

2) IN TRANSIT, it was one of the most creative things I've seen on Broadway, how they were able to tell so many different stories and connect them with a minimalist set. Plus the performances were stellar, those actors worked non-stop, I still don't know how they did costume changes while continuing to sing seamlessly.

[Det95]

Posted: 11/25/19 at 3:21pm

The Visit. Got super cheap tickets last minute. So glad I did. I was mesmerized by that Kander & Ebb score.

[morosco]

Posted: 11/25/19 at 6:07pm

The original Broadway production of SIDE SHOW.