The right to criticize?

I believe one can, and is permitted to be, critical without being mean.

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agreed.

We have this Board so that we can share news, reviews, opinions, but ALL within reason, and I do believe it gets carried too far, such as Amy from LWand last week with CArly from Hairspray. NO ONE on this board knows everything, and everyone has a different opinion, and that is all they are...opinions!

I will admit sometimes I get a little nasty with my comments, but I believe critiquing an actor's performance is a LARGE part of being a Bway fan! I mean, we have favorite actors for the same reason that we have not-so-favorite actors. We liked/disliked something about their performance. People shouldn't get all pissy because we talk about specific performers and *GASP!* they or their family might read!

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Yes, especially when they charge as much as they do for ticket prices.
On the flip side, I have gone to see productions based on reviews I've read here as well.
And yes, there are some folks who get a bit nasty for the sake of stirring the pot, but...

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Of course criticism is necessary; improvements can't be made without it. But starting a thread just to bash an actor- who is, despite how easy it is to forget, an actual person- it going too far. A balance has to be found between expressing our opinions and considering the feelings of others and the atmosphere of the board.

Also, as I posted not too long ago, there's a difference between bashing, negative feedback, and constructive criticism. The latter two are acceptable, but not the first.

i think starting a tread to talk about your dislike for a performer is not going too far, in the scheme of things opening a thread is not a very bold or big move at all. It simply allows for discussion and even if the first post dislkies the performer then this does not mean others can not offer counter viewpoints, as long as it is all done in a civilized manner

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I think there's a way to criticize, and then there's a way NOT to criticize, and I also think that within reason, it is a theatregoer's right. I really see no problem in, for valid reasons, offering comments on a performance or something like that. I don't, however, see the point of starting an entire thread dedicated to the bashing of a *person* rather than said person's *performance*. Even then, I don't know that an entire thread is particularly necessary, but I think that the more important matter is the way the criticism is presented, and why it's given. Especially on a board like this that, as we learned last night, many more people than a lot of us would suspect are reading, we *do* need to think before we write. It's wrong to just come out and go on about a person, disguising blatant dislike for valid, opinionated criticism. Criticism should have backing and a reason behind it, not just "oh, I hate him/her." That's not useful, and it doesn't tell anybody anything - it makes the poster come off as mean, bitchy, stupid, whatever - but not good. To further go into this Amy Alexander example - just look at the title of the thread - begging for attention in the form of "backlash." Why not just have a thread in which to discuss her performance, rather than one that might as well say "come on, let's bash this girl just because!" I realize that her performance isn't very widely liked (and honestly, I didn't enjoy it much either - I think she went far overboard), but the way that it was presented was rather tasteless.

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Updated On: 5/23/05 at 03:48 PM

Also, as I posted not too long ago, there's a difference between bashing, negative feedback, and constructive criticism. The latter two are acceptable, but not the first. >>>

But one problem is when fans of certain performers consider any negative feedback of an actor or actres bashing.

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A) The price of a ticket gives one the right to knock a show or performer.

B) If a bashing thread is started, and many people join in with the same hostile opinion, than there must be something about a show or performer which is seriously bothering those who express opinions around here. If a harsh criticism is unwarranted, it will be firmly and quickly countered and put to rest.

C) Let me say, just to mention the other side of the coin, there are also idiot "I ABSOLUTELY WORSHIP this, that, or the other performer" threads and "This show is SOOOOOO GREAT!" threads which are nothing but mindless drivel. It all balances out.

Updated On: 5/23/05 at 04:03 PM

Actually, "backlash" implies some kind of counter-movement. If close to no one liked Ms. McAlexander's performance in the first place, what is the "backlash" against?

Like Emcee said, last night provided proof that the people we discuss are probably reading this place in greater numbers than we realize. Criticism is okay, and even necessary. But have a little thought before you press "Post Message."

To say, "I have an opinion and I'll express it however I wish" is selfish. We have a responsibility to others as well as to ourselves, and would do well to remember that. You don't live in a little "me" box; everything you do and say affects others. You can be honest without being rude.

That's what I get for mixing responses. Not everything in the post was directed at you, mikewood, or I probably would have named you. I'm responding to opinions I've seen expressed here that pretty much amount to "I have an opinion and I'll express it however I wish." Not necessarily yours. I did not compare what you said to accusations domestice abuse; I merely pointed out that yesterday's incident shows that the people we discuss are more likely than we think to be reading what we write. It's an example, not an accusation. And I'm not addressing the last part of your post because it stems from your belief that my entire post was directed at you. As I said, it wasn't.