What We're About

Welcome to Did They Like It?! As the leading review aggregator for live theatre on and off Broadway, and around the world (#HumbleBrag), DTLI? has one mission: to make reviews more accessible and digestible — they should be easy to find, bite-sized for the fan on the go, and most of all, fun!

By using our very own visual rubric and guided by our unbiased and unaffiliated Did They Like It? editorial team — fans can quickly understand the critical response to a show and make informed decisions with just a few clicks.

Here at DTLI?, we believe that diverse perspectives are fundamental to the critical landscape. Our exclusive Critic Cohort, a group of accomplished reviewers that extend beyond the traditional sources for reviews, provide a comprehensive, multi-dimensional look at each show, adding new, vital voices to the conversation.

So whether you’re new to theatre and searching for a must-see, a serious superfan whose Playbill collection is “becoming a problem,” or even an industry insider who wants all the opening night reviews at your fingertips, we’ve got you covered! Thank you for being part of our community, and be sure to sign up to hear about the many developments we have in store! For now, check back in regularly for exclusive offers and news, and be the first to know…Did They Like It?

The DTLI? Critic Cohort

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Jose Solís

Jose Solís

Cohort Director

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Ana Zambrana

Ana Zambrana

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Bedatri D.Choudhury

Bedatri D.Choudhury

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Christian Lewis

Christian Lewis

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Juan Michael Porter II

Juan Michael Porter II

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Ran Xia

Ran Xia

Everyone’s a critic… and that’s just how we like it.

We created the Did They Like It? Critic Cohort to amplify underrepresented voices outside of the critical mainstream and provide our users with a broader, more diverse perspective. After a rigorous application process — picture an intense training montage set to “Eye of the Tiger” — this group of critics was chosen for a one-year term. Managed by an unbiased, independent Critic Cohort Director, Jose Solís, our Cohort will provide critical analysis of theatre, as well as features and editorial content.

"The Shorthand"
Rating sytem

How do we decide if they liked it? Our DTLI? Editorial Team (aka “The Thumb Squad”) reads the full reviews so you don’t have to.

Determining if a review is a thumbs up, thumbs down, or somewhere in between is a thorough process. (Do not attempt without a BA in Theatre.) In all seriousness, we care deeply for our subscribers and the theatre community at large. We’re proud to be a trusted source AND an open book. Here’s how it all plays out.

About Our Editorial Team aka “The Thumb Squad”

Our Editorial Team is made up of the most qualified theatre nerds — the kind who will obsess over the reviews so you don’t have to. They relish dissecting every element of a critique. Our curators carefully read the reviews, note the proper thumb reaction and choose a pull quote to reflect each critic’s stance. In an industry where everyone knows everyone, we make sure that none of the curators assigned to a show are involved in the production in any way. And no, producers do not get the final say nor can alterations be made for the sake of advertising.

All Critics Are Equal

On our site, all critic reviews are weighted the same. For example, our Cohort reviews are given the same attribution as your favorite legacy mastheads. We believe all critics’ voices are equal.

Determining Individual Reviews

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Thumbs Up aka “They Loved It””

In order for a review to be deemed a “Thumbs Up” (aka “They Loved It”), approximately 70% of the review has to be considered favorable, positive or (if the critics are feeling extra) ecstatic. That said, no show is perfect, so the review can still include critiques and less than favorable feedback. Our team asks themselves: is the critic recommending this show to audience members? If the answer is “yes,” that’s a review worth texting your ex about!

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On-the-Fence aka “It’s Complicated”

Like my relationship status, theatrical reviews can be complicated AF. Some shows ride the line between “must-see” and “it’s gonna be a no from me.” These types of shows are why the On-the-Fence (aka “It’s Complicated”) category exists. In order for a review to be labeled “On-the-Fence,” less than 70% of the review is either overwhelmingly positive or mostly negative. Our team asks themselves: does the critic consider the show a success in some areas but still in need of improvement? Think of it like the shrug emoji of reviews!

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Thumbs Down aka “It Wasn’t For Them”

The truth is, the critics can’t love everything, and a “Thumbs Down” is a necessary part of our rating system. Just like a “Thumbs Up,” a “Thumbs Down” (aka “It Wasn’t For Them”) review is approximately 70% of less-than-good feedback and negative critiques. Our team asks themselves: does the critic consider this show ok to skip? But don’t cry for them, Argentina… Today’s “Thumbs Down” could be a total crowd-pleaser or tomorrow’s cult classic. And even though it wasn’t for them, it could still be for you!

Determining a Show’s Critic Consensus

Theatre kids are notoriously bad at math. Sure, they can tell you exactly how many minutes there are in a year (525,600 obvs), but their skills usually end there. That’s why we created a point system to most accurately determine a show’s overall critical response. Our “Thumb Squad” uses the following metrics (and their iPhone calculators):

A “Thumbs Up” review = 3 points
A “On-the-Fence” review = 2 points
A “Thumbs Down” review = 1 point

All the reviews are tallied up, and then an average score is calculated.

If the score is greater than or equal to 2.34 = “They Liked It
If the score is between 1.67 and 2.33 = “It’s Complicated”
If the score is less than or equal to 1.66 = “It Wasn’t For Them”