Wow...I have to say (and this is directed more generally at the boards than at FosterChild), it seems to me that some people on BWW.com find their life's purpose in flaming...actors, shows, posters, it doesn't seem to matter. Having read this (for now) brief thread, it doesn't seem to me that Popular comes across as worshipping Stephanie J. Block, just responding quite positively--and courteously, I might add--to a negative reviewer. Where did she say "Hands off the J. Block" or "how dare you run Steph down? She is the Best Ever! EVER!"? She didn't (that part WAS directed at FosterChild).
I guess it's only all right to be enthusiastic and supportive of Sutton Foster and Christine Ebersole these days (generally directed again!).
My own opinion, as a teacher of communications classes, including debate (I'm qualifying myself here as a novice in theatre but a bit more than a novice at public speaking), is that Ms. Block comes across as enthusiastic and articulate--two qualities that make for not only a good interviewee but a good representative for a Broadway show. In fact, given the production mistakes (showing the wrong cast from "One Short Day" when there are numerous clips of Block available from the press reels of WICKED, looping the same audio and, at times, video from PQ when there are also other, good bits they could have shown instead), it was the interaction between interviewer and interviewee that made this clip watchable...which is as it should be. She was asked about the pedigree of the production and she gave it--and was clearly pleased and honored to be working with these people. I venture to say that, had she not, some of the people on these boards would say she was arrogantly promoting herself and taking whatever credit is due for a big show at this stage of production (and I'm certain someone will snipe that, for PQ, that's not much). As it was, she barely spoke about herself at all, though there was a lot she could say. I do find myself wishing that they had spent a bit less time on WICKED and asked her more questions about the new show instead.
Well. Now that I've carefully (over)qualified all my statements, since I didn't want anything to be misconstrued or twisted so that it could be used to misconstrue, I'm off to await the flaming that will no doubt soon center on me, despite my attempt to be fairhanded, non-inflammatory, and mature. I'm sorry for the negativity toward the board; I just feel that it could be such a powerful resource, but there's so much free-floating bitterness and vitriol that it's not exactly a fun place to visit (and that again is a general statement, and not directed at FosterChild).
Updated On: 10/30/06 at 06:09 AM
