Unknown Soldier - Playwrights Horizons — Page 2

But in this metaphor, "rotten" food would likely be the equivalent of a production with lots of technical mishaps (microphones not working, electricity is out, set pieces breaking, actors not knowing their lines), etc. While the actual quality of theatre piece equates to the food preparation (was it cooked all the way though, was it seasoned, etc).

But I think this is where you and I will always disagree. And where you disagree with most people on this message board, and in the artistic community. Conventional wisdom says that all art is subjective. But you seem to think that your opinion is fact, which is why we've arrived at different interpretations of this metaphor, and this is a large part of the reason you ruffle feathers on this board.

But I know I'm unlikely to convince you to change your worldview, and you certainly won't change mine.

I read this thread with amusement and I hesitated to chime in. After Eight and I had this go-round a few years ago about audiences doing the work, and I certainly won't go there again. It's a frustrating exercise in futility.

Many people have said harsh things to and about After Eight. I never have and never will. I defend everyone's right to their opinion, especially if it's unpopular.

For me, I see no point in attending live theater unless I'm involved. I watch very little TV, but when I do, like a Giants game, I have to do no work.

Live theater, to me, exists for an entirely different reason. While, occasionally, I'm just entertained and I can leave my brain at home, I would stay home if every piece of live theater were Aladdin and Hello Dolly!

While I'm giving the benefit of the doubt that After Eight actually sees all these shows, I can't recall many posts, from them, that listed specific details that would make me think it was from someone who actually saw the productions. But, I'll assume they're telling the truth.

Why anyone would attend Unknown Soldier after reading the description and think it would be fluffy entertainment is odd. Repeatedly attending serious theater, like this, and expecting a different outcome is certainly one's choice, but seems to be a waste of money and, more importantly, time.

When Harvey Fierstein did A Catered Affair, he was asked why he chose a more serious piece. He said (I'm paraphrasing), that musical theater is like dessert. Fun and entertaining is fine, but sometimes you want an entrée...something more serious and thought-provoking.

Why anyone would want to consistently attend live theater and never utilize their brain is a mystery to me, but, to each their own.

After Eight wants the lobster already shelled and served, perfectly cooked on the plate. I'm happy to throw out a lobster trap, catch my own, cook it, crack it open and eat it. There's nothing wrong with either. I just happen to prefer doing the work.

He doesn't just want it cooked and shelled, he wants it blended into mush with absolutely no texture.

This was absolutely beautiful. And hearing a "new" Michael Friedman score was emotional; for someone who really loved his contributions to The Civilian's and his boisterous Loves Labour's Lost, there's a poignancy that our journey with him ends with Unknown Soldier.

It would be really lovely if his work on the show received posthumous nods both with the Drama Desk's and Lortel Awards. In this instance, it's totally earned. But never could enough praise be heaped upon the singularity and humanity that his work carried.

After Eight said: "Wolfwriter wrote:

“After Eight wants the lobster already shelled and served, perfectly cooked on the plate.”

One could shell lobsters from dawn to dusk : badlobsters are bad, period.

“Why anyone would want to consistently attend live theater and never utilize their brain is a mystery to me, but, to each their own.”

Appallinglypatronizing. What makes you think one doesn't use one's brain while seeing Hello, Dolly! orAladdin? Being, touched, enchanted, amused, transportedresults from absolutely no stimuli to the brain? I don't think you know how the brain functions.

Rather presumptuous to think I don't know cerebrum from amygdala. But, I digress.

Why not tell us what you thought about the bright orange set. And, what did you think about the way they handled it when Lucy shot Francis in the head? And, do you think Estelle Parsons lengthy nude scene was gratuitous or integral to the story?

Now, that's me being patronizing, sarcastic and condescending. Obviously, none of those things happen in the show, but I doubt you know that because, while I said I give you the benefit of the doubt that you actually see all the shows on which you comment, I don't believe you do.

It's unsurprising that you responded to a metaphorical lobster rather than actually pointed out specifics of the show that you disliked.

Why don't you enlighten us what was good or bad about it? "I hated it." or "I loved it," are not really helpful on a board where we all love theater and look to others to learn more about a show. Admittedly, we're not all Whizzer who is in a class alone when it comes to critiquing a play or musical, but most on here try to give some idea what they liked and didn't like and, I, for one, appreciate it very much.


I know you'll have to have the last word and that's fine. But, I would love it, if you went into detail about what you hate so much about the show. "A dud," doesn't really tell us anything.

whatever2 said: "Hey wolfwriter - I'm seeing this on Friday, and I'm pretty sure that in your pique you just dropped a major spoiler there ... WTF???"

He did not, the things he mentions do not happen in the show. He's just saying them to see if AfterEight can defend actually seeing the show or not.

whatever2 said: "Hey wolfwriter - I'm seeing this on Friday, and I'm pretty sure that in your pique you just dropped a major spoiler there ... WTF???"

What are you referring to? There’s not a spoiler in anything I said, unless you mean Estelle Parson’s nude scene. :)



Nothing I said happened. I made all of it up except the character names, which you can find on their website and the casting of Estelle Parsons which is also on their website.



I promise, I gave no spoilers. I hope you love the show as much as I did.

Wolfwriter wrote:

” Now, that's me being patronizing, sarcastic and condescending.”

Yes. You might consider working on that.

“while I said I give you the benefit of the doubt that you actually see all the shows on which you comment, I don't believe you do.”

Then why did you say that you gave me the benefit of the doubt, when obviously, you didn't? And yes, much to my chagrin, I saw Unknown Soldier. Just as I see all the shows I comment upon.


“Why don't you enlighten us what was good or bad about it?”

I did. Can you not read clearly? I said it had uninteresting characters, story, music. What is there about that statement that is difficult to understand? And to give credit where credit is due, I acknowledged that Estelle Parsons was able to score a laugh.


I might also add that in an earlier post you asserted that unlike others, you would not say harsh things to or about me. I guess to your way of thinking, casting aspersions and doubting a person's veracity are not “harsh things.”

After Eight said: "Wolfwriter wrote:

”Now, that's me being patronizing, sarcastic and condescending.”

Yes. You might consider working on that.

“while I said I give you the benefit of the doubt that you actually see all the shows on which you comment, I don't believe you do.”

Then why did you say that you gave me the benefit ofthe doubt, when obviously, you didn't?And yes, much to my chagrin, I saw Unknown Soldier.Just as I see all the shows I comment upon.


“Why don't you enlighten us what was good or bad about it?”

I did. Can you not read clearly?I said it had uninteresting characters, story, music. What is there about that statement that is difficultto understand?And to give credit where credit is due, I acknowledged that Estelle Parsons was able to score a laugh.


I might also add that in an earlier post you asserted that unlike others, youwould not say harsh things to or about me. I guess toyour way of thinking, casting aspersions and doubting a person's veracity are not “harsh things.”"

I do give you the benefit of the doubt. I just don’t believe you. You’ve engendered that doubt over many years and you know it, so it shouldn’t be shocking that anyone “questions your veracity.”

You’d rather deflect from the question and go into how offended you are rather than answer the question.

Yes, I can read and your initial post enlightened no one. If I were mean and horrible, I wouldn’t be asking you for more detail and more of your thoughts. But, you choose not to share, as is your wont. And, this conversation becomes circular as it always does with you and anyone who legitimately attempts to engage you.

You will have the final word, no doubt because you can’t help yourself and I do hope you enjoy it.

Have a nice evening.

Very bland show, in more ways than one.

When I'm falling asleep in a musical, it's a problem.

Yeah, I saw like one post somewhere. Excited to listen, and hoping it gets mounted somewhere else accessible. I could see it at one of the major Philly regionals.