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Thoughts on why exactly BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY is in trouble

Posted by: NeoAdamite 02:46 am EDT 03/30/14
I saw this show tonight, and have been considering why, in spite of excellence in performance, composition, production, and orchestration, and in spite of the brand, it's currently the worst-performing musical on Broadway.

At the curtain call, following the BC/EFA appeal, O'Hara actually said "tell everyone you know to come see the show!", always a very bad sign.

Of course the book has some structural issues, but it hits its marks and is never boring, and worse books have had decent runs.

So my current thinking is this: the Robert character is completely inauthentic, a fantasy unlike any actual human. A real-life Robert would have either done some real agonizing (if he understood she might be about to wreck her life for a roll in the hay) or some real seducing (if he didn't).

And then he carries a torch for her for another 10 or 20 years. We're supposed to believe that this good looking, intelligent, well-spoken man, who's comfortable talking with strangers, never makes another connection to challenge that two-night-stand.

That's not love, that's neurosis...and I think the audience actually understands this, even as it gets misty-eyed at the denouement. So as enjoyable as it is (and my companion and I both had a good time), it leaves you with nothing when it's over, so you've stopped thinking about it by the time you've reached the subway, and don't think to call your friends.

Or is there a better explanation?

[For what it's worth: I haven't read the novel or seen the movie.]


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Previous: Tom Kitt & Brian Yorkey face the music with their glorious score to ''If/Then'' - WaymanWong 03:21 am EDT 03/30/14
Next: Robert's character - Caleb 10:50 pm EDT 03/30/14

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