why watch a show that sucks in the first act just to wait for the "grand performance".
What's the point in watching anything if you're only going to give it a few minutes? We sit down for these things knowing they are X hours long, so ya may as well stick with it. I'm there to experience the story someone is trying to tell, however inept they may be at telling it. If I don't hang around for the punchline, then it is a true waste of my time. Yes, I'm forgiving, patient, and look for any redeeming factors possible, but that's just how it goes. You don't give up on a kid for writing on the wall with magic markers - he hasn't had a chance to develop yet. Even if he does grow into a snot-nosed little bastard, oh well, not everything can turn up Millhouse.
I'm there to be entertained not for the experience. That's the difference, if a show doesn't entertain me why bother. Yes, I wouldn't give up on a kid for writing on the wall with magic markers, but I would give him my card tell him come back next year when he has developed it. IMHO, you may have the best product in the world, if you can't "present" the product and will make people crave for more the first 10 minutes you started your presentation you won't get any investors/clients. IMHO, that's what happened with LOTR in Toronto, the costume, the lights, the props/special effects outstaged the story. The package should all come together instead it was way too much information esp. for people who hasn't read the book and too dragging for people who did. I used to be creative director for an ad agency (while in grad school) and this is just my opinion, the plot is very simple, you don't need all that info. You don't need all those props and special effects, the story/songs can carry it for the show. I find that whoever choreographed (sp?) the show doesn't know how to position the actors well. I mean you have too many actors on the stage already, now place them strategically wherein the audience can zero in on the characters without getting distracted. The stage is like a canvass, you don't splash all the colours you want, it should blend in together and I find it didn't.
I can critic on the art/production side but I'm not good at criticing the acting and the singing. I saw the clips of the show and I find that Galadriel's costume has overpowered the actress. The actress already has a beautiful voice and a pretty face, an elegant "elfish" type dress would have been enough. Man, when I saw the clip all I see is the awful costume. Yes, it should be seen from the bleachers, but lighting can do a good job on that.
My point is you only lost your money, but you didn't waste your time.
It doesn't have to be a choice between time and money. I watch the entirety of films I don't even pay for. Once they're over, I can say I've watched and loved/loathed them, and that works for me. I mean, just going to the movies is a treat for me. The two times I've seen a musical have been absolute highlights of my life. I'm already happy just to be buying that ticket, or pressing "play" on Windows Media Player. It has to be pretty shit awful to ruin my day. I like to just see whatever someone else has put together and be able to talk about it, having an educated opinion and all.
We're on the same wave length when it comes to tv shows, however. They require a much longer commitment, so if it doesn't impress me within an episode or two, I won't force myself through it. Can't watch them all! But I like to finish what's been started. It's like the joke about the marooned blonde who swims halfway to the mainland, gets tired, so turns around and goes back to the island. C'mon, you're almost there, may as well keep going.
So there's one POV.
*E*
I'm very committed person, if I want something I go for it but I am not one of those people who would sit around and force myself on something I don't want just because I paid good money for it. I'll be more upset if I end watching a sucky movie. I'm not one of those people who will line up at Canada's Wonderland to ride the tallest roller coaster for two hours because I just want to brag I rode it. That's stupid. I could have rode four other regular coasters by then and got my money's worth.
Don't get me wrong I'm not a quiter, I just quit while I'm ahead of the game. That means I not going to sit through 2 1/2 hours and talk to my friends how bad the show was. I would rather tell my friends, "See, I knew it was bad! I can't believe you guys actually sat through the whole thing."
I volunteered for the Toronto International Film Festival every year expect the past two years since we moved to Calgary and I tell you the critics leave the movie if doesn't amuse them in the first 30 mins. I usually volunteer for the industry/media type movies only as an usher and if the movie is that bad, they leave in the first 15-30 mins. These are independent films not hollywood type and it's supposed to be good.