Hi Adam, thanks for the beautifully crafted point. Yes I agree with you. I would certainly not suggest that work be it a film, food, or a smartphone can't be criticized. Indeed it should, my point is that one doesn't have to berate the creators or producers as if they are not deserving of respect. I may not like iphones but I can certainly respect the craft and ingenuity it takes to create one. If I comment on something I like or don't like I do not have to insult the the person. Our Internet culture allows for people to say really disparaging things about others when they feel rather anonymous. These words affect people and what I would ask for is a bit of civility, especially in a space that is supposed to be as cultured as theatre. Not crass comments insulting the intelligence or character of the theatre makers. I simply wanted to speak out because I became exhausted and frankly upset with seeing comments publicly attacking people that I happen to love. Commercial theatre is special in so many ways, it took nearly 20 years of blood, sweat, and tears to get In Transit to Broadway. That alone is a remarkable achievement worthy of respect even if one doesn't like the product. I am obviously close to the production and biased but what I would ask that people criticize the merits of the work not the character or ethics of the creators or producers. Certainly not everyone posted absurdity but comments began to dive so far into what I could only describe as true and visceral hatred for this show and it's creators that was really unwarranted. Certainly one does not have to be theatre makers to critically comment on theatre. But I would ask before one feels entitled to insult the craftsmanship and character of the creators, what have they given to that craft. Not what have they created, but given; have they mentored, have they given selflessly to the spirit of the sacred art of theatre not just the rare circus that is Broadway but the heart of theatre where people like Lin Manuel started... the small off off off Broadway theatres that are working to carry the legacy of American theatre forward without much fanfare or support. Sure one could make an argument that purchasing a Broadway ticket is contributing to the American theatre. And that's a fair legit argument, however I could make an argument that Broadway is not the heart of American theatre. So few risks are taken there because of the obvious financial gamble, so it's movie remake after movie remake. But that's another discussion for another time. As many know we ( dancers, actors, writers, musicians) do this work so often without many of the things that most take for granted like financial stability. So it's sometimes very hard to just accept that after 20 years of working on a particular piece of art that instead of the work being criticized someone attempts to take away that artists or producers dignity and berate their very intelligence, In a passing minute. Then what lives online seemingly forever is not the 20 years of work but the disparaging comment informing others why that work has no merit, so often done in a way that creates an echo chamber. Even I have critiques of In Transit so I can understand being critical of the work. But do it without the vitriol towards its creators because they are truly worthy of respect. Creating an A Cappella musical is not easy... it was not a gimmicks. It was a risk and kudos to them, and though you can't really tell from these boards a lot of people who saw the show really liked it... and I would even say there were quite a few people who actually loved it and found it refreshing.
Perhaps all that is too much to ask for but I think it is worth a try.
Updated On: 4/17/17 at 06:07 AM
