Laura Benanti: Stop reviewing previews — Page 2

But to me it seems like she's saying "allow us our process" more like "please understand when you see our show that we are still figuring things out, and keep that in mind when you form your judgements of us."

That is what she says. What she doesn't say is "Stop reviewing previews". I think Benanti's smart enough to know that there's no point in telling people NOT to do it, but to educate and inform people about the preview period and request they keep it in mind when offering opinions about a show in previews. The title of this thread is very misleading.

it's discourteous of LAURA to say that I shouldn't voice my opinion.

Well, it would be if LAURA had actually said that, but she didn't.

Expect that if the producers of, as an example, American Psycho had read the preview thread here and had seriously considered it as an early barometer of critical consensus, they would have been compleatly dumbfounded come opening night. The two groups had very different opinions.

Theather fans are a diverse group regarding interests and tastes. You can’t listen to to opinions of a tiny group and assume that the whole audience will agree with them.

Updated On: 11/3/17 at 02:24 PM

Sunny11 said: "Expect that if the producers of, as an example,AmericanPsycho had read the preview thread here and had seriously considered it as an early barometer of critical consensus, theywould have been compleatly dumbfounded come opening night. The two groups had very different opinions.

Theather fans are adiverse group regarding interests and tastes. You can’t listen to to opinions of a tiny group and assume that the whole audience will agree with them."

Except that's not what I said. What I said that there are times where you see the same flaws being pointed out over and over, on a very consistent basis. Also, to call this a tiny group isn't quite accurate either, in the sense that major marketing decisions are often made based on focus groups consisting of a much smaller sampling.

A HAIKU

Reviewing previews...
Is it better or worse than
Previewing revues?

Price can affect my judgment in previews...to a point.

To use a metaphor: If you go to a restaurant and an entree costs $150, you will expect a damn good plate of food. If the food is mediocre you don't want your server to inform you that a new sous chef prepared your food and he or she is still finding his or her bearings in the kitchen. Conversely, if a new restaurant advertises $5 lunch entrees for their first month of operation I wouldn't be so mad if the food was just OK as I'd only be out $5. Of course, if the food was vile even the $5 price couldn't stop me from warning all my friends not to eat there.

I've certainly sat through $10 Roundabout first previews that made me want my money back, but when the cheapest seats for a show are $69/79 and the orchestra is all $159/169 from preview #1, then I think the producers are sending a message to the ticket buyers that you should be able to expect a highly put together, polished evening of theater.

WhizzerMarvin said: "Price can affect my judgment in previews...to a point.

To use a metaphor: If you go to a restaurant and an entree costs $150, you will expect a damn good plate of food. If the food is mediocre you don't want your server to inform you that a new sous chef prepared your food and he or she is still finding his or her bearings in the kitchen."

One point in this metaphor -- you walked into the restaurant fully aware of the new chef and had accepted the risk/reward of their dishes beforehand in order to be the first in town to taste it. You weren't only informed after.

Updated On: 11/3/17 at 03:41 PM

Hey llana, can you please show me the sentence in your article where Benanti asked for people to "stop reviewing previews" as the title of this post says?

Hey sunset, already did! Feel free to have your own interpretation, but I think the words are pretty clear -- while accepting it's not an ideal world.

You have yourself a nice day!

IlanaKeller said: "The issue and concern is the influence these reviews have over other theatergoers, not the actors."

That makes no sense and is pretty laughable for someone who wants (I assume) to be taken seriously. The "process" is the work. Internet boards like this one are WOM, nothing more nothing less. And people have been leaving shows and blabbing about them since the Greeks. I respectfully suggest you're a little too close to your subject.

This entire discussion seems silly. Professional critics don't publish reviews until Opening Night (which, technically, means they are reviewing previews - although the show is frozen.)

The only feedback I ever read about previews is on this board. The people who write them generally are quite good about noting that it's a preview, or an out-of-town tryout, and of avoiding extensive spoilers. Some make shrewd observations about what works and what doesn't. No producer, creative, or actor has to read any comment here or on the internet. They are free to ignore all the outside noise, and work on fixing problems in the show themselves.

The internet does make it possible for a few people who paid to see a play or musical to share their thoughts with other theater types who would be interested. So I can read early takes about The Band's Visit, Meteor Shower, Ain't Too Proud (in Berkeley), Mean Girls (in D.C.), and more.

Why is this so awful? None of these shows are free. Most charge full price. All are open to the public. The actors, producers, and creatives are paid. Some of these non-reviews have made me more inclined to see a show.

And most people do not care much if at all about a stranger's opinion of a preview or out-of-town tryout.

Updated On: 11/4/17 at 05:56 PM

bear88 said: "This entire discussion seems silly. Professional critics don't publish reviews until Opening Night (which, technically, means they are reviewing previews - although the show is frozen.)”

This is a pretty good point. Professional critics reviewing shows during previews seems crazy. But what, I’m not allowed to talk about the show to my friends? Get outta here.

raddersons said: "bear88 said: "This entire discussion seems silly. Professional critics don't publish reviews until Opening Night (which, technically, means they are reviewing previews - although the show is frozen.)”

This is a pretty good point. Professional critics reviewing shows during previews seems crazy. But what, I’m not allowed to talk about the show to my friends? Get outta here."

I think the issue was much more aimed at things like message boards and blogs than chatting with friends. As I mentioned before, when I'm having conversations, I choose to try to be careful with my words, but again -- scale. Scale is why something may be an issue or annoyance now much moreso than it was 20 years ago.

Updated On: 11/3/17 at 09:57 PM