Eric Rosen posted a comment on my blog entry about Little Dog Laughed! Funny enough, I think this was the first show I saw since I asked the fatal preview question. Now, granted, I asked the Preview Question on January 3rd, and while I got a couple of answers, I'd love a little more feedback. Folks were still off of work and not checking the Internets much, so I'll repeat what I asked in that post:I know I'm not beholden by anyone's editorial policy when I write in this blog, but I do work for a newspaper and I write stories for that newspaper, so I think like a journalist. I know, this isn't anything I should lose sleep over, but hey, I'm seeing the Beane play along with Fatboy and Shining City and Chicago Shakes' Othello, and probably a couple of shows this month, all in previews, and I'd hate not to say what I think about them. Would you be offended by an opinion? Would I be violating every ethical code in the world? Would it be more acceptable if I avoid labeling entries as reviews? Or should I just get even more folksy and "aw shucks" about it?Am I trying too hard here? Do YOU think what I said about the show was fair, given that what I saw was the third preview? (I think Rosen was commenting on a previous commenter and not my post, but it's hard to tell.) I mean, here's the thing. The demarcation between blogger and journalist would appear to be clear. Gosh knows there are unfair bloggers roaming the internets, spreading their opinions like tar on a grooved surface, and as my readership grows and people start to (Gosh forbid) respect my opinion, I really want to be clear about what my intentions are.
That is all for now. While you're thinking about it, go see The Little Dog Laughed.
5 comments:
Why do people invite others to see previews anyway, if they're essentially still in tech and not ready for an audience?
It's not a practice we do, but I'm trying to understand why someone would have a problem with your opinion of the show, if you were invited, if they didn't want you sharing your good news with the world?
RZ
you said it was a preview - you would think most people would understand that. readers should understand that it gives the actors a chance to do the show with an audience and tweak some thing before opening
but also - the poster say Jan 9th - i don't see where it says PREVIEWS jan 9th - ?
so, if you are going to put that, then expect that people will have opinions - they paid their money (ok, maybe less than the price will be after opening night). and in this day and age of the blogger and the internet, those opinions are going to get out. i guess folks just have to suck it up.
everyone stated in their opinions that it was a PREVIEW, so that should be enough of a disclaimer
BTW, it seemed like Eric R. was getting after one of the comments on your post, and not the post.
It cracks me up when a director says "well, we've still got almost 2 weeks of rehearsals, what with the week and a half of previews coming up, so don't worry". For me, once anyone pays to see a show i'm in, I already kind of consider the show opened. It will grow and become much richer (hopefully) through press opening and beyond, but audience members, particularly "non theater" folk, will be looking for a product. People--right or wrong--will be judging the show at that point, and they will either like it or not like it, and friends will ask them about it and they will tell them their opinion, and it is what it is. While it's my hope that they will use the word "preview" in their impressions of the play, and that, if it's the very first preview, they might be kind enough to mention that, how they feel is how they feel, and I can't begrudge them for a negative impression of a preview anymore than a positive one, if that makes sense. It is, after all, a preview.
JVM
Again, I'm with Rebecca here - when I invite people in for previews, I honostly go up to them and ask "what did you REALLY think", and when they have problems, I pick their brain for solutions...
In defense of Erin Rosen, I vote he's right. There is an understanding an audience has (which was even eloquently specified by Mr. Rosen in his curtain speech) at a preview - essentially we are seeing a dress rehearsal. Is it fair to broadcast opinions to the public on a dress rehearsal? Not really. I had no idea it was the first preview, I was invited last-minute and had not been following the opening date for this show.
I was the anonymous commenter who Mr. Rosen took issue with. The anonymous part was a mistake, actually, but I'm going to go ahead and keep it anonymous. If you have a problem with that, well, I frankly don't care. I have my reasons.
I was wrong about the home base of the actors. Crow is eaten, my apologies. And while I see RZ's point you are asking people to pay money, I believe AF papered a good portion of the house for that preview, including - yep - my tickets.
I think previews serve an important purpose, not only because people who normally can't afford regular tickets have an opportunity to see some version of the show, but also for the actors. Often you need that time, especially with a comedy, in front of an audience to figure the hits and misses. I have seen shows change DRASTICALLY in previews. The reason folks charge people to see a dress rehearsal is because putting up a play is expensive as hell. Who knows if you're going to recoup your money at the end of the day and this is called show business, not show play. You still have to pay rent on the preview nights, you still have to staff the theater and pay those people (if you're not lucky enough to get volunteers)...those expenses don't go away because you're holding a preview instead of a regular performance. People pay less, so they adjust - or should adjust - their expectations.
Also, RZ, sometimes you plan to have a show ready and up by previews, but some unforseen tech problem happens or someone has a death in the family and is missing from rehearsals, and before you know it, best laid plans and all that. I agree, directors shouldn't be planning on working things out in previews, I believe that's just arrogant. But you never know what's going to keep your play from being perfect and shiny the very first night someone plunks down their money.
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