Critics

[Elphie3]

How much to critics and reviews affect your decision to go see a show? Or do you only rely on word of mouth, and blogs like these?

[CSonBroadway]

I never base shows off of reviews. I usually will go to a new show's website and look at video clips, music clips, and pictures to see if it interests me. If it interests ME, I see the show.

[Yankeefan007]

The majority of the theater-going audience relies on the NY Times to tell them whether or not they'll like a show.

I don't remember what I saw a few weeks ago when a woman said to the Usher "I don't know why I'm here, it got terrible reviews from the Times." The Usher replied "I like to remain optimistic," then nodded to the woman that the show wasn't so hot.

I think it may have been Hedda.

[ashley0139]

"Who'd make a living out of killing someone else's dream? I mean, what kind of man would take a job like that?"

No, critics almost never affect if I go see a show or not.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

I do listen to critics, which is stupid-- I loved The Little Mermaid and I like the score for A Tale of Two Cities. But I'm a high school theatre critic (I review other high schools' shows for local newspapers) and I'm always really interested in professional reviews. I usually never pay attention to reviews that are completely negative or completely positive, though, because I've never seen a show that had no strengths or no weaknesses.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Awww, someone beat me into turning this into a 'Curtains' song!






But, I never listen to critics.

[dramamama611]

I think professional reviews HELP me make a decision if I am on the fence.

I also like to hear opinions on these boards or from friends. After a while, you get a pretty good feel with whose opinions you can rely on. Not because they are right per se, but that your opinions reflect theirs when you've both seen the same production.

I have to admit...if I had waited to hear about Hedda Gabler BEFORE I'd bought my tix I probably would have refrained. (and wish I had).

[Mark_E]

Hmm i don't pay attention normally, If i want to see something I will see it.

However, I must admit I wouldn't have gone to see August Osage County in London if it hadn't received so many good reviews for the broadway production.

[MrJNLong]

Some times really good reviews encourage me to see something I wasn't already interested in (ie the new Our Twon), but if I had already wanted to see something, Ill still usually see it even if it gets bad reviews. Although I keep finding myself agreeing with the reviews in almost every case, so I kind if pay attention to that. plus Im from out of state, so when I come I can only see a certain number of shows, so I want to get the most out of my experience...i can't afford to waste my night on a Little Mermaid experience...

[Phantom of London]

I do not think The New York Times has the sway it used to, when it was guaranteed to sign a death certificate for a show, this is evident with Shrek not doing to well, despite good review and more proof how well May Poppins has done despite a poor review.

[Byron Abens]

If I'm interested in something I'll go see it whether everyone else likes it or not.

I'm also willing to go see "bad" theatre, as I think if you always ignore what is bad, you will end up unable to recognize it in your own work. You have to maintain balance in your artistic life. (Plus, it's good to have horror stories about some of the awful things you've sat through, lol)

[FindingNamo]

"I do listen to critics, which is stupid..." Please, please just STOP.

[rjjn]

Since I am too far away to frequent NYC, I rely on word of mouth or length of run (long-running shows obviously have done something right).

[Elphie3]

If you do listen to reviews? Why? Do you trust Critics to know more than the rest of us? If you don't, why? Aren't Critics supposed to have insight we dont?

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

I always tell myself that critics' reviews are just subjective and try to ignore them, but they always end up sticking in my mind. You know-- "Want to go see The Little Mermaid?" "Oh, I heard it was terrible."

[Jane2]

There obviously are lots of people who base their decisions on others' opinions but I could never even consider it.

[Phantom of London]

See a show that has been critically ravished always feels a bit tainted.

[Weez]

The closest critics ever come to affecting my judgement is... well, I like to go by word-of-mouth as to whether something's good or not, and the critics have mouths just like everyone else. I don't ascribe any more importance to their views than anyone else's views, but I'll listen to what they have to say and it can contribute overall to my decision. :3

[JeaniusIsMe]

If I hadn't been planning on seeing a show and it gets rave reviews, then I will certainly try to see it. If I had been planning on seeing a show and it gets panned, I'll still see it.

Reviews certainly don't control the shows I go to, but they can bring attention to some smaller shows I wasn't aware of.

I do, however, try to get as much info as possible about a show before I see it, whether it be through reviews or this board, so I'm aware of what I'm getting myself into.

[homeimp]

I certainly do not rely on the critics. Nor do I rely on blogs like these where sometimes the responders are as nasty and intolerant as the critics. If I relied on the critics I would have missed many shows that I have loved. For me, it's a combination of the source material, the director, the stars, the composer/lyricist (if it's a musical). The critics come way down my list. If only I felt they were looking for the good in a show with as much diligence as they look for the bad. I'm a retired teacher, and honestly, if I had reported on my students with as much meanness, indifference and sarcasm as they report on many of the shows they view, I would have been fired in my first year. They have the best job in the world, if only they knew it. Isn't it blatantly obvious by now that the more the critics think a show will be a big hit with the public, the harder they try to come down on it? They have a vested interest in proving that they know better.