"...but why would you waste the money going to a new show when you are looking for the flaws? I know many of you don't LOOK for them but a lot of you do. You go into shows AS critics. Where is the enjoyment in that? Unless I'm being paid to be a critic I'd rather look for the things I actually enjoy in a show and take in the entertainment of the evening!"
Ok, FallintoLight, I'm not really even sure where to begin with your statement up above. I guess I'll say that, firstly, I went into the Pirate Queen wanting to be entertained. I wouldn't waste my money otherwise. I was wholeheartedly NOT entertained and, in fact, was quite bored with the show. (This all comes from the Chicago show. I won't be seeing it in NYC.) There was absolutely nothing in the show that I could find interesting or vaguely entertaining. This made me a critic.
Secondly, let's take a look at the definition of criticism, shall we?
Criticism: the act or art of analyzing and evaluating or judging the quality of a literary or artistic work, musical performance, art exhibit, dramatic production, etc.
There's nothing in there about saying anything negative. Criticism is about EVALUATING A WORK. Honestly, I question your dedication as a lover of theatre if you never want to criticize something that you see.
My question to you is: How can you NOT turn a critical eye to something you see, keeping in mind that criticism is not necessarily an inherently negative thing? Imagine a world in which there was no criticism. Nothing would ever be accomplished properly!
Please take a look at your statement again. Don't turn a blind eye to criticism in general. You need to be able, as many of us on the boards have, to find a happy medium between enjoyment and critical analysis. You will never be a knowledgable and discerning theatregoes until you do.
You promised me poems. ~Tricky
