Unexpected Flops

theatregeek02 Profile Photo
theatregeek02
#1Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 4:22pm

What are some shows that were expected to be very successful but flopped? Rocky is one for sure. I expected Rocky to be successful, especially with tourists, but obviously I was wrong.

Updated On: 8/24/14 at 04:22 PM

 Musical Master Profile Photo
Musical Master
#2Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 4:25pm

FOLLIES is what enters my mind when it comes to people who expected it to be Sondheim's big hit but when it closed it lost money. Maybe not a flop with a capital "F", but close enough.

Sutton Ross Profile Photo
Sutton Ross
#2Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 4:35pm

I thought Big Fish was going to be successful, and people who saw it really seemed to love it. There has been many theories and opinions about why it failed, but I think the score had the most to do with it. I also thought Bonnie and Clyde would run longer.

theatregeek02 Profile Photo
theatregeek02
#3Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 4:40pm

Also, I thought Bridges of Madison County would last longer than it did.

Updated On: 8/24/14 at 04:40 PM

RW3
#4Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 5:28pm

Rocky
Ghost

Wickedlover56 Profile Photo
Wickedlover56
#5Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 5:29pm

Bullets Over Broadway
The Little Mermaid
Young Frankenstein
Big Fish
Sister Act
The Pirate Queen
Ghost
Catch Me If You Can
Suessical
Spider Man

Elfuhbuh Profile Photo
Elfuhbuh
#6Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 5:31pm

Looking at really early posts on this board, people apparently expected Dracula to do well.


"Was uns befreit, das muss stärker sein als wir es sind." -Tanz der Vampire

Timmer
#7Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 6:17pm

Follies is a great show.

 Musical Master Profile Photo
Musical Master
#8Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 6:19pm

One of Sondheim's best shows, if staged right.

Mr Roxy Profile Photo
Mr Roxy
#9Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 8:17pm

The big 4 musicals that closed this year.


Poster Emeritus

smallworld Profile Photo
smallworld
#10Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 8:39pm

I think Drat the Cat could've been successful. I wasn't around to see it, but the score is a lot of fun and I think it really deserves another chance.

Mata Hari in 1967 could have been a classic, but alas we all know what happened with that.

David2 Profile Photo
David2
#11Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 8:52pm

Easily Bullets Over Broadway.... I'm pretty sure they banked on this show being a massive hit especially with names like Woody Allen and Susan Stroman

Sally Durant Plummer Profile Photo
Sally Durant Plummer
#12Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 9:02pm

Women in the Verge was a huge surprise. Before it opened, it was extremely hyped - a great star-studded cast, a score by a new up and coming composer who already had 2 moderate hits, and fantastic source material. Now, we can all look back to when our humble message board graced news boards because of the insane preview thread (and of course that Kyle monster).


"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir

Emmaloucbway
#13Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 9:27pm

Definitely Bullets Over Broadway. Remember when Riedel wrote that article earlier this year predicting that it would be the biggest hit of the season?

mikem Profile Photo
mikem
#14Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 9:30pm

Rocky, If/Then, and Bullets over Broadway all opened within a month of each other and were highly anticipated. If/Then might still recoup if Idina sticks around, but the failure of all 3 shows to come anywhere close to meeting expectations was a big surprise (and opened the door for Gentlemen's Guide's financial success this spring and summer).

Enron also came in with huge hype and closed quickly.


"What was the name of that cheese that I like?" "you can't run away forever...but there's nothing wrong with getting a good head start" "well I hope and I pray, that maybe someday, you'll walk in the room with my heart"

songanddanceman2 Profile Photo
songanddanceman2
#15Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 9:49pm

Bonnie and Clyde, I know Wildhorn shows close tend to bomb but this was a solid show with very positive early buzz.

I was shocked at the bad reception and failure of Ghost as well


Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna

Mr Roxy Profile Photo
Mr Roxy
#16Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 9:55pm

No Wildhorn show will ever succeed in NY


Poster Emeritus

Hello, Ethel! Profile Photo
Hello, Ethel!
#17Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 10:02pm

Dear World. It was the follow-up to the fabulous Mame, with the same writing team and star, and also happened to be equally fabulous, but flopped anyways.

Mr Roxy Profile Photo
Mr Roxy
#18Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 10:37pm

Angela L and a Herman score could not overcome bad source material for a musical.


Poster Emeritus

Borstalboy Profile Photo
Borstalboy
#19Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/24/14 at 11:20pm

I think NICK AND NORA and CHESS (American production, of course) would top this list.


"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ~ Muhammad Ali

ggersten Profile Photo
ggersten
#20Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/25/14 at 12:03am

I think LoveMusik seemed unexpected - but then most of the anticipation was before anyone saw the show. Seemed to have great credentials going in - and there was Tony talk by people before anyone saw the show. 24 previews, 60 performances.

chrisampm2
#21Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/25/14 at 12:19am

LoveMusik ran a limited engagement in a subscriber house. It ranks as a critical and popular disappointment, but not a flop. I thought it was muted but fine, with superb performances, including a galvanizing one from David Pittu as Brecht.

nicnyc Profile Photo
nicnyc
#22Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/25/14 at 4:34am

I loved Big Fish, cried my heart out at the ending - and was shocked it didn't find an audience. The score was not great - I'll give its' detractors that - but the direction and performances and the heart of the show more than made up for it in my opinion...

SNAFU Profile Photo
SNAFU
#23Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/25/14 at 5:55am

Aren't all flops unexpected? I don't think anyone mounts a show expecting it to flop. That is unless you are in a Mel Brooks film.


Those Blocked: SueStorm. N2N Nate. Good riddence to stupid! Rad-Z, shill begone!

Junior Babcock Profile Photo
Junior Babcock
#24Unexpected Flops
Posted: 8/25/14 at 7:44am

Good News - Harry Rigby's follow-up to No, No, Nanette