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Is it true that you only write good things about the shows you
see? Do you only write rave reviews?
There’s a big difference between accentuating the positive and writing
nothing but positive things. StageSceneLA.com reviews emphasize the
positive elements of the shows we are invited to critique. Our aim is to inform
our readers of the reasons why they SHOULD see a particular show. That
doesn’t mean that we do not offer constructive criticism when merited.
One of our reviews expressed concerns about a tonal shift which made us
uncomfortable. Another found the playwright’s concept confusing.
Another suggested possible cuts in a production whose running time was
excessive for the particular genre.
But all your capsule reviews at CalendarLive.com are either
RAVE or RECOMMENDED. What gives?
StageSceneLA.com posts capsule reviews at CalendarLive.com as a way of
promoting productions which we feel we can recommend to visitors to that
site, with a reminder that they can find a full length review at StageSceneLA.
com. We do not post capsule reviews for productions which we find only so-
so or ones that we cannot recommend.
Aren’t there shows that you absolutely hate? How can you
find positive things to write about the stinkers?
One of the great things about being an independent reviewer, or about
having been an Ovation award voter for two years, is my ability to pick and
choose what I see. Unlike reviewers for the LA Times or LA Weekly or
Backstage, I’m never "assigned" to attend productions that are unlikely to
be my cup of tea, or which sound, from their description, like potential
stinkers. I know what I like, and I know the companies, theaters, playwrights,
actors, directors, etc. that are likely to give me something positive to write
about. Also, I’m a playgoer who is willing to “travel” where the playwright,
actor, and director want to take me. I try not to put up roadblocks to
enjoying a play. I don’t go to the theater with a “show me” attitude. Out
of the 200 shows I saw during my second year as an Ovation voter, I could
have written largely positive reviews about 170 of them. Of the remaining
30, there were only about half a dozen that had very little positive about
them. Even in the 2 worst productions that I saw, there were performances
worthy of praise, if nothing else.
What qualifies you to be a reviewer?
Every reviewer has his or her own qualifications. In my own case, I’ve been
an avid theatergoer since the age of 7. In 2007 alone, I went to the theater
318 times. The simple fact of being exposed to so many productions gives
me an understanding of what makes each production unique. I’ve seen
enough comedies to determine if a show is funny or not. I’ve seen enough
musicals to know if a score appeals to me or not. I’ve seen enough
set/lighting/sound designs to recognize if a design shows skill and originality,
or not. As for acting, I apply one basic rule which works for most productions:
if I were walking by and overheard these people talking, would I believe
that they were engaged in spontaneous conversation, or would I think they
were actors doing a scene. Of course, this criterion doesn’t apply to
Shakespeare, to name one exception, but it works most of the time for me.
Another reason that I have felt qualified enough to create StageSceneLA.
com is that as an Ovation voter, I was required to assign a numerical score
to all aspects of a production. 365 times over the course of two years, I sat
down in front of my computer and assigned a numeric score for each
production on lighting design, choreography, sound design, musical
direction, lead and supporting performances, direction, etc. This has proven
to be great training in observing all elements of a production in preparation
for writing a review.
As to my ability as a writer, I'll leave that up to my readers to decide, though
I have received enough positive feedback on my writing style to believe
that I am up to the task.
In the final analysis, if my reviews are sincere, well-thought out, and if at least
some of my readers think, “Yes, that’s exactly how I felt when I saw that
show,” then I believe that my qualifications are more than sufficient to be
one of the dozens of reviewers who write about Los Angeles theater. And
unlike reviewers who are PAID for their reviews, I write simply out of love for
theater and a desire to see as much of it as I can.
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