Profile for BuildingBridges

Dear Posters,

I came across this message board recently while viewing press photos, and wanted to share something personal about the nature of posting thoughts, feelings, reviews, etc. on new theatrical endeavors in the commercial venue of New York City.

I am a part of the company of the new Broadway musical Doctor Zhivago.  I make a living working in show business as well as other venues completely unrelated to the arts, so I can relate to both those who are in the middle of this industry and those who look in upon it and support - or diminish - it.   I have never seen the show that I'm a part of and as such have no desire to either critique or defend it.  After seeing the emotional and sometimes virulent nature of the comments posted about Zhivago and other shows on and off-Broadway, I am compelled to point something out, with respect and compassion for all who post: 

Not everyone will love every show.  EVERYONE is entitled to their opinion as to the artistic merit of something they see, and that includes finding a piece to have no merit whatsoever ?format=auto&width=600  But - whether you love or hate a show, what you may not realize is that the people who are doing the work, from 27 to 60 hours, 6 days a week, have no control over how the show was written, directed, produced, or advertised. They only have control over what they have contributed, and I can speak for the entire theater community when I say that generally speaking, all of us come to work putting everything we can offer into the job: our minds, bodies, and the emotional and spiritual inner lives that are unique to each of us with our own histories.  I personally spent the last three months working steadfastly on Zhivago with an open heart and mind, preparing before every rehearsal or performance to breathe life into an experience that always had the potential to transform those witnessing it.  And fortunately, we were able to share it with many who were transformed by the experience and have received us with joy, love, and tears.  

I know it's difficult to walk a mile in our shoes, but I urge you to think, before writing comments that you wish for a show to close, or that it never should have been produced in the first place, about the large number of people who are employed by a production of this size.  There are more people backstage than onstage - dressers, makeup artists, hair artists, carpenters, flymen and women, stage managers, even physical and massage therapists.  I work with some absolutely wonderful people - people with husbands, wives, and children - who are stellar at their respective jobs and come to work in good faith, hoping that they will continue to have a job to come to.  And the writers of this piece, helmed by the luminescent Lucy Simon, poured their hearts into this work for almost 15 years.  

So please, in gratitude that there are so many shows right now in all of our marvelous historic theaters on Broadway, consider how you would feel if someone was actively attacking your job, hoping that you will be unemployed. Think about how you speak about theater in general.   Are you building up, or are you destroying? Are you celebrating the art of theater, or are you praying for its demise?  Just as we are all human beings, we all deserve respect, understanding, and a little kindness.  Let's keep the art we say we love alive.  

Well wishes to you all.