Cast: Matt McGrath (Wilhelm), John Vickery (Wilhelm's old uncle), and many others
This was the worst show David or I have ever seen - ever. I've seen a lot of bad shows, but I've never thought a show was bad enough to leave early. This one was. In fact, in all my years of going to live shows, I have never seen anyone leave the show (not to return) before intermission. A few did this for The Black Rider. I had also never heard anyone say, "It's not even halftime yet!" with a note of desperation in their voice, but I heard this one of the many times it seemed we would be spared for a bit with intermission. I've never seen so many people leave at intermission and not go back.
As we went down the escalator to our car, there were almost as many people in line as there are at the end of a typical show at the Ahmanson Theatre. I laughed when the usher told us to be sure to keep our ticket stubs. Did they think all the people making a bee line for the escalator were going to return?
David wanted to write a letter to the Ahmanson, so we did. He's never really been one for wanting to complain about things (that tends to be my department), but he was so upset that they had actually chosen this show for the Ahmanson season. It wasn't a last minute substitution, either. This was assigned before tickets were printed.
I considered staying for the end of the show, since we had dinner reservations, but David pointed out that we can eat anywhere, and he was right. I cancelled our reservations and we drove home. Sadly, since we live in Orange County, we wasted 4 hours on this horrible experience and couldn't stop thinking about it for days.
David mentioned last night that he's going to wear black to the next show and then said that he'd wear a t-shirt. I told him I think we should get t-shirts made up. Perhaps one that says "I survived HALF of The Black Rider" and one that says "I hope this is better than The Black Rider!" or "I assume this is better than The Black Rider" or something like that...
Fortunately, the last show (Curtains) sounds like it'll be one of the best shows we've seen there all season. I'm very glad that we're done with the subscription to the Ahmanson, though. My in-laws have had OCPAC tickets for years and have never walked out of a show they've seen there. They haven't even seen anything as horrible as 3hree or Martin Guerre or many others that were horrible at the Ahmanson.
In short, avoid The Black Rider. If someone gives you free tickets, tell them you value your time and don't want to be tortured during it, and give them back to them. Tell them to exchange them for another show in that season or just shred them. Don't donate them to charity. Those that need the charity do not need the horror of this show either! It would be adding insult to injury.
Couldn't imagine giving a show or movie a grade this bad...
Grade: F
Reviewed by Kat at the 2:00 PM show | 0 screams