Musicals That Failed explores why some big-budget musical theatre productions become spectacular flops, despite having all the apparent ingredients for success. The book moves beyond simple explanations to examine the complex interplay of artistic vision, financial investment, and marketing strategies.
One intriguing fact is how a minor misstep in casting choices can trigger a cascade of negative consequences.
Another is the significant role of critical reviews in shaping public perception and, ultimately, a musical's box office revenue.
This book provides a historical context, tracing the evolution of American musical theatre and highlighting the increasing financial stakes involved. It emphasizes how an imbalance between artistic ambition and audience expectations, coupled with ineffective resource management, often leads to failure.
Structured in three parts, it begins by introducing key concepts, then delves into case studies of specific flops, and concludes by synthesizing lessons learned for theatre professionals and investors. The book offers a unique, data-driven perspective by using production budgets, critical reviews, and interviews to analyze failures.
By pinpointing common pitfalls and unique challenges, Musicals That Failed provides valuable insights into the business and art of musical theatre, serving as a cautionary tale for those navigating the competitive world of Performing Arts and Music.
