The critics panned the original production in part because the opening date kept being postponed. The leads were unknown and probably too young for the roles (although they sound fine, perhaps definitive, on the recording). The costumes and set were ugly. There should have been an out of town tryout. The Neil Simon was too big a theater. Prince may have been the wrong director for the material. Just my opinion, but I've heard these comments from a lot of knowledgeable people (including Hal Prince).