When I go to the theatre I don't go expecting to dislike the show. I WANT to like it. I love the theatre, it can be a magical place and I go hoping for the best. I say all this because last night I went to see Walmartopia, a new "musical" about how Wal-Mart is taking over America. It's two hours of my life that I can't get back (you see where I'm going with this). I really wanted to like the show but there is so little about that I can praise. Granted, it's not as bad as Perfect Crime (the gold standard for bad) but it just doesn't work. There is so much wrong with the show on so many levels (script, music, performances, direction) that I end up sounding like a chat board ranter and I don't want to do that.
If executives from Wal-Mart worried about this show and the effect on the reputation of the store they have nothing to worry about. It's bad enough that people will just dismiss it as agit-prop politcal theatre. I remember this show being one of the hits of last year's Fringe Festival (I didn't see it then) but for the life of me I can't figure out why. The book is dreadful. It's one cliche after another. There is little truth or honesty in what's being presented (aside from the facts they present about Wal-Mart). The music and lyrics are trite and at times even embarrassing. What's even more disappointing is when I got home I read the Playbill (the theatre was too dark to be able to read much) and I was mistaken in thinking this was a group of amateurs or semi-professionals taking a jump to the Off-Broadway level. There are people in this show with real credits. The audience was packed with friends and supporters so the response was strong but my friend and I left shaking our heads. I can't imagine this having any kind of a run, especially after it opens and critics have their say. I saw Linda Winer (the critic from Newsday) and Roma Torre (from NY1 News) in the audience. I will be interested to hear what they have to say. I respect their opinions (even when we disagree) and I can't imagine either one will have much good to say about the show.