The Playgoer

What theater isn't dying to do a show with an ...

2013-06-04T13:03:26.722-04:00

What theater isn't dying to do a show with an enormous cast? The money isn't there because there's hardly an audience for the still dying art of theater.

Good News-- This production will have another life...

2013-04-30T17:38:03.767-04:00

Good News-- This production will have another life after all: the Public Theatre has scheduled it for its 2013-2014 season. Playgoer's calls were answered!

while reality T V has a positive outcome for the B...

2013-04-07T10:34:38.395-04:00

while reality T V has a positive outcome for the British theater why not encourage it rather than getting in its way. OK its a young audience but i was a young theater goer once.

My first thought is that Teachout is merely recycl...

2013-04-03T09:54:50.054-04:00

My first thought is that Teachout is merely recycling something that every other critic in the nation has already said. Without, of course, ever taking the recycled content to the next level, which is to consider how this trend might change.

My second thought is: well, how DO we redirect resources away from development and marketing personnel to actual performing and artistic personnel?

For in a way, the widely observed collapse in cast size only reflects the same syndrome Mike Daisey has often ranted about: actors (not stars, just actors) have become an underclass, "the help," in their own theatres.

But what to do about it? Is it possible to educate boards so that they understand that a certain amount of their support should be earmarked for performers, to ensure larger cast sizes? Is it possible to develop funds, perhaps even public funds, devoted to paying for larger casts? I've actually been mulling these ideas for some time, I have to get around to writing about them.

It is disappointing to see that the prejudice ref...

2013-03-27T17:37:45.048-04:00

It is disappointing to see that the prejudice reflected in Professor's Greenblatt's remarks is on your blog sustained not only by affirmation but, apparently, by the censorship of contrary opinions. I recommend the recent documentary by First Folio Pictures, Last Will. and Testament (http://www.firstfoliopictures.com/),which will help to place Dr. Greenblatt's gratuitous remarks in appropriate historical and intellectual context. If you'd like to discuss the contents of the documentary I'm sure that there would interest in doing so.

Best Regards,

Dr. Roger Stritmatter
Associate Professor
Coppin State University

Good performances and the reviews were good .. I l...

2013-03-04T06:31:51.317-05:00

Good performances and the reviews were good .. I like his makeup. whether bercht very popular in America??

Thanks, Ralph! And thanks for pointing out that b...

2013-03-01T14:25:01.007-05:00

Thanks, Ralph! And thanks for pointing out that budget printed in the program. What a fantastic thing for Foundry to do! Really shows the audience the cost of the art.... And you're right, it does NOT look like a mere Showcase budget. I stand corrected.

Just going by the budget, including health & p...

2013-02-27T15:50:18.490-05:00

Just going by the budget, including health & pension contributions, in the program, I don't know if one can assume "Showcase Code restrictions". Which by the way, I thought was a neat, and appropriate for this show, to put their budget in the program. Also, 'sure have missed this kind of smart blog writing. Congrats Doc'. -R

Thank you for your comment Dr. Alfred. But I belie...

2013-02-24T17:43:01.536-05:00

Thank you for your comment Dr. Alfred. But I believe Big Daddy is offended and disturbed by the incident too. Which is kind of his point in telling the story. Cut it out? It's the most memorable speech in the play! Williams wanted us to know that such things happen in the world. I guess he would not share your concern for the old "decorum of the stage." But such "manners" historically have prevented the theatre from exposing unpleasant truths.

I found Big Daddy's story in Morocco about the...

2013-02-24T13:22:34.502-05:00

I found Big Daddy's story in Morocco about the naked female child and its sexual implications to be very offensive and disturbing. Regardless of whether the story is true or not, this whole section should be stricken out.

Alfred G. M.D.

Yes! The phone on vibrate problem is becoming an e...

2013-02-19T08:22:48.837-05:00

Yes! The phone on vibrate problem is becoming an epidemic.

Turn it off! Or, for God's sake, on silent.

Almost every show I attend lately has at least one two minute stretch of bzzzzzz....bzzzzzzz.....bzzzzzz.

The perpetrator seems to make no attempt to stop it. I wonder if they are imagining that the vibrate function can only be heard by them?

One pernicious trend I've noticed is the proli...

2013-02-17T14:36:38.477-05:00

One pernicious trend I've noticed is the proliferation of folks leaving their cellphones on and then taking a peek at the glowing screens every few minutes. To check the time? Text message traffic? Their twitter feeds?

I have no idea. But just because your cellphone is silent doesn't mean it isn't a distraction. In a dark room, it's almost impossible for the rest of us not to look toward the glowing mass in our peripheral vision.

Don't just put the phone on vibrate. Put it away.

Thank you for this thoughtful and insightful revie...

2013-02-10T12:57:40.352-05:00

Thank you for this thoughtful and insightful review.
To be honest, the best production I've ever seen of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" was at a community theater in Maine (of all places). While I agree it is not one of Williams most important, I had never really thought about how the script is not "actor-proof" or "director-proof" until reading you review.

Sooooo glad you're back, Doctor G! Been missin...

2013-02-04T22:46:15.382-05:00

Sooooo glad you're back, Doctor G!
Been missing the sight of your voice.

2013-02-04T22:44:27.303-05:00

This comment has been removed by the author.

Welcome back, Dr. Playgoer. We've tried to kee...

2013-02-03T12:51:30.329-05:00

Welcome back, Dr. Playgoer. We've tried to keep a warm corner for you.

Glad you're back! Don't give up yet- we ne...

2013-02-03T12:20:22.257-05:00

Glad you're back! Don't give up yet- we need INTELLIGENT theater bloggers like Dr. Playgoer!

I think it's time to move you off of Blogspot ...

2013-02-03T12:13:12.994-05:00

I think it's time to move you off of Blogspot and onto your own domain. We can work on ad strategy and maybe consider a subscription model for some content.

I'd be happy to take the tech side of things over and design a site for you.

oh my god, what's your problem! why can't ...

2013-01-05T09:51:56.872-05:00

oh my god, what's your problem!
why can't you just enjoy a funny black comedy!
god, i hate these modern critics!

I just commented on Sydney show but I don't th...

2012-10-24T04:34:31.300-04:00

I just commented on Sydney show but I don't think I left my name which is Roger.

Absolutely love Slava's Snowshow. Saw it twice...

2012-10-24T04:32:08.871-04:00

Absolutely love Slava's Snowshow. Saw it twice in Sydney and both times it was very magical. Have never seen audiences come out of a show as happy as they came out of this one! A real joy and for me a show not to be missed the next time it comes to Sydney!

I'm waiting!

2012-10-09T13:34:18.440-04:00

I'm waiting!

well you know, anonymous wrote all the shakespeare...

2012-07-31T21:10:28.000-04:00

well you know, anonymous wrote all the shakespearestuff, he's kind of oldfashioned

If you missed the show (and didn't miss it int...

2012-06-11T16:55:56.394-04:00

If you missed the show (and didn't miss it intentionally) CBS.com is keeping the whole broadcast available for online viewing for "a limited time": http://www.cbs.com/shows/tony_awards/video/2244344269/66th-annual-tony-awards-full-telecast

Ricky Martin = ugh. Fml

2012-06-10T22:19:34.518-04:00

Ricky Martin = ugh. Fml