Stage Musicals That You Found Unexpectedly Disappointing

[MarmaladeSandwich7]

For me it was The Bodyguard & I was really surprised as I love the soundtrack & Whitney.. It was ok but I thought it would blow me away & it didn’t. Maybe some things just work.better on the big screen.

I have had to go 4 times, on school trips. It’s boring. I absolutely never want to go again!

Ditto!
Went to see it in New York as part of a very random date, and we were just so bored we left half way.
I also did not enjoy The Phantom of the Opera - couldn’t be doing with people singing the non songs.
For a long while I thought I hated musicals until someone pointed out it was just Lloyd Webber musicals I didn’t get on with.

I absolutely loved Cabaret but felt that was more of an immersive theatrical experience than a musical.

Definitely Grease for me, I took my FIL who loves it and I think we WERE expecting the script of the film but it’s completely different, and the familiar songs are in random places or replaced with one not in the movie. They don’t even have the T Birds, they’re called something else. Sandy’s voice was so reedy we could barely hear.

I mostly loved Moulin Rouge but it’s not like the film at all and I found the lead acting a bit hammy.

To counteract though I saw the Tina Turner one just before it closed and had very low expectations as the music has never been my cup of tea. It was excellent! Really entertaining and well done.

I didn't like Cats the first time I saw it, but went with a friend some years later and loved it. I'm quite often underwhelmed the first time I see anything. I like to know what to expect.
Loved Starlight Express too but that was 25 years ago. I haven't seen the recent one.

Don't think I'd bother with most other ones mentioned here.

Matilda. Don't get me wrong the kids in the show were absolutely fantastic but it strayed too far from the book for my liking and just didn't do it for me.

Nice to know I'm not the only one who was underwhelmed by Wicked. There were several school parties at the performance of &Juliet that I was at. I expect they enjoyed it a lot more than I did. Wasn't keen on Six either.

I didn't like Wicked despite liking the concept, some of the songs, and the dragon. It felt like there was too much meta and not enough actual storytelling.

The theatre was gorgeous though. All those limpid greens.

The Phantom of the Opera - I din’t return after the interval.

Phantom of the Opera.

I went in the 90s with high expectations after years of hype.

Jesus Christ, I nearly cringed myself inside out. It was so bad. The set was tiny, the plot was thin, the performances were as camp as Christmas, the music was just naff prog-rock adjacent faux-classical.

The worst part was that I had no idea the whole thing was sung, and the expositiony/filler parts between the familiar songs were gob-smackingly awful. Just kind of sing-talking to get the point across. I don’t understand why ALW wrote a Temu opera, when a decent script between the songs would have been much better.

That said, I love opera, but there’s a reason I only listen to it in the original language. I suspect it would be a similar experience if I knew what they were on about…

Wicked. Absolutely dire. Could never understand all the hype.

Just shows how we’re all different. I thought & Juliet was one of the best things I’ve ever seen at the theatre, I adore Wicked and recently saw Starlight Express and Back to the Future and loved them both.
I saw Grease years ago and hated that though, even though I love the film.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I
was so excited when it toured locally as I'd missed it in the West End. Thoroughly underwhelming.

I’m desperate to see moulin rouge but can’t justify the cost, so almost glad to hear some people saying they didn’t like it!

Girl From the North Country. I like Dylan’s music, so thought I would like this but goodness me it was dreary!

Wicked….so hyped but so disappointing
Bat Out of Hell (songs great but the story must have been written by an 8 year old)
Blood Brothers…totally underwhelming.

Haha, I was thinking the same - I've seen and loved loads mentioned on this thread. Wicked being one. Also enjoyed &Juliet. Six is probably my favourite though and Cabaret. There are very few musicals I haven't enjoyed

The Lion King , overhyped .
Moulin Rouge , boring .

Telling the truth , I think they all have their off moments.
You pay a wad of money to go , often a day trip out as I live in the sticks , you buy the ticket way in advance and the reality of it more often or not does not live up to reality .
Haven't bothered with a ' big show ' since before covid and no desire to go back .

Dm got tickets for Fame when I was about 8. I think it was the west end show travelling to provincial theatres, I.e tickets were quite expensive. I just didn’t get it. Then at half time I wanted to go I think I was bored and a bit young tbh. And dad told
me off as it would be a waste of money

more recently Legally Blonde.

Isn’t it funny, I adored Wicked, the lion King and Matilda. Could watch them over and over.
Was mildly disappointed by Kinky Boots. I’d loved the filmed version and then it just didn’t blow me away. It was ok.
Enjoyed Six a lot but did feel a bit cheated by how short it is.
Best thing I’ve seen recently was Come From Away. It was fab.

Loved Six!

Rock of ages

Titanique

Oh dear! I've seen it five times over the years (always cry at the end) , but then again I,m a scouser and loved the references to real places and real situations (moving from slum inner city to Skem) I know.

This. So dull.

I enjoyed Six but I don’t think it is a musical. It’s just a concert really.

I’d block out in my head 9-5 in my first response good god that was absolutely terrible! Sorry Dolly!