So ... let's take this to another level of discussion. What is it about Milan's reviews of Oakland productions? His defender above indicates that he can't possibly be objective. I don't know Milan, but I imagine he wasn't pleased to read that. I have noticed that his reviews of Oakland productions often emphasize what doesn't work for him. Positive comments are understated. Negative comments are cleverly worded to get the most attention.
I keep coming back to this issue of suspended disbelief. Community theatre required a good bit of that, and the Oakland revels in it. Another term for this would be "imagination." So go with it that Ric Panning and Joey Monda are father and son. Granted, they aren't far enough apart in age, but they sure didn't look the same age in the production (nor are they). Use your imagination. David Munnell and Gary Shackleford don't look like steel workers? How about gay steel workers? I actually know some gay steel workers, and I wonder if Milan would find them believable. Use your imagination.
Musicals are by nature an offense to "belief." No, we don't really believe that out of work steel workers would sing and dance at all. I'm not sure that Milan likes his disbelief suspended. I've read a number of his reviews, and he seems to want the Oakland to be other than it is. The Oakland strives to give audiences something to care about. Judging by the audience reactions both nights, the production is a huge success.
Yes, the cast and crew are dedicated, hard-working, and courageous. Yes, they are very talented. And, yes, the production is incredibly moving and enjoyable. One of the best I've seen at the Oakland. But I want to give extra kudos to everyone at the Oakland for something else -- for never forgetting that it's all about the audience and for remembering that, to paraphrase a local theatrical legend, loving the theatre is finally more rewarding than loving yourself in the theatre.
And I'm not sure that theatre reviews should be written by someone who so evidently prefers film.
I am positive that someone who can't be objective about a particular theater should not write reviews of that theater's productions. I leave it to Milan to decide whether he is objective or not.
Oakland’s ‘Full Monty’: too long, but enjoyable
So ... let's take this to another level of discussion. What is it about Milan's reviews of Oakland productions? His defender above indicates that he can't possibly be objective. I don't know Milan, but I imagine he wasn't pleased to read that. I have noticed that his reviews of Oakland productions often emphasize what doesn't work for him. Positive comments are understated. Negative comments are cleverly worded to get the most attention.
I keep coming back to this issue of suspended disbelief. Community theatre required a good bit of that, and the Oakland revels in it. Another term for this would be "imagination." So go with it that Ric Panning and Joey Monda are father and son. Granted, they aren't far enough apart in age, but they sure didn't look the same age in the production (nor are they). Use your imagination. David Munnell and Gary Shackleford don't look like steel workers? How about gay steel workers? I actually know some gay steel workers, and I wonder if Milan would find them believable. Use your imagination.
Musicals are by nature an offense to "belief." No, we don't really believe that out of work steel workers would sing and dance at all. I'm not sure that Milan likes his disbelief suspended. I've read a number of his reviews, and he seems to want the Oakland to be other than it is. The Oakland strives to give audiences something to care about. Judging by the audience reactions both nights, the production is a huge success.
Yes, the cast and crew are dedicated, hard-working, and courageous. Yes, they are very talented. And, yes, the production is incredibly moving and enjoyable. One of the best I've seen at the Oakland. But I want to give extra kudos to everyone at the Oakland for something else -- for never forgetting that it's all about the audience and for remembering that, to paraphrase a local theatrical legend, loving the theatre is finally more rewarding than loving yourself in the theatre.
And I'm not sure that theatre reviews should be written by someone who so evidently prefers film.
I am positive that someone who can't be objective about a particular theater should not write reviews of that theater's productions. I leave it to Milan to decide whether he is objective or not.
May 6, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. permalink suggest removal