Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge Reviewed- Page 2

[Fanb]

Posted: 1/6/10 at 7:41pm

"I'm sorry, but once a show opens (with previews or officially) it is open to criticism."

And thus make it really, really, really difficult for any theater artist to be able to do their work and not be torn to shreds on boards like these. The reason Preview performances are less expensive than post opening performances is that they are not locked, finished shows. The audience is agreeing to see the show at a discounted price, knowing that the show has not yet been reviewed and is not yet a finished piece.

If the people putting up "A View From The Bridge" cared only about money, they could spend their time doing a lot of things other than putting on a play. They are working very hard to present the best, most artful show possible. Why not give them a break from criticism until they are ready for it - once they have officially announced their opening.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/6/10 at 7:41pm

mywonder, Maybe up for discussion but not review. Until it officially opens. I have been on these boards for years and it has been pretty much an unspoken "rule" that almost everyone follows. At this point in previews a show is not considered frozen. And why, may I ask was I singled out? I was one of 2 people to comment on this.

Thank you Fanb.

Updated On: 1/6/10 at 07:41 PM

[bjh2114]

Posted: 1/6/10 at 7:44pm

The reason Preview performances are less expensive than post opening performances is that they are not locked, finished shows.

But at the same time, people commenting on what could be better allows the production team time to potentially FIX things before they are locked or finished. The purpose of previews is to gauge the show in front of an audience so that necessary changes can be made for the better.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/6/10 at 7:47pm

bjh, I think the debate is over the word "review".

[bjh2114]

Posted: 1/6/10 at 7:50pm

I mean, I suppose I would consider anyone's commentary a review, assuming that it's detailed. Short of "don't waste your money on this terrible production", I don't think any detailed statements, however negative, could be considered anything but a review. And I think criticism can certainly be constructive no matter what.

[Fanb]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 12:03am

You make a good point - when criticism is constructive. It just gets really old when people rush to trash shows as if their opinion is so important - rather than giving creatives some time to do their work.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 12:50am

But there was no trashing by the original poster in this thread. In fact, he loved it. So what are people getting their knickers in a twist for?

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 1:22am

No twisted knickers. I simply tried to explain earlier why the comment was made and explained that here on the BWW boards people don't usually use the word review during previews. It just seems to be the way it goes here. Like an unwritten rule. Most of us respect it.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 1:27am

I didn't know that the word "review" is only allowed after the shows open. I just posted a "non-review" from Time Stands Still and w/o the word "review" anywhere! =)
Thanks for the correction.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 1:38am

And to be fair, it wasn't really a review, it was just actor chat wherein muscle said whether somebody was good, great, haunting or fantastic.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 1:46am

I now almost wish I hadn't chimed in on the review thing! Goodnight BWW!

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 1:53am

uncaged, I wasn't being sarcastic. I appreciate your explanation because I had no clue about what you told me.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:23am

Oh muscle, you were not sarcastic at all!! I was just referring to the back and forth that went on over the subject.