Wonderful Town -Where is Murphy?- Page 4

[Spiritoflaw]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 10:47pm

JRB, Rath, I wasn't looking to blame anyone; that would be a great waste of time and effort!

Please don't tell me it's appropriate or right to misrepresent the truth to theatre audiences. Moreover, the employees at your theatre, JRB, are openly ridiculing Donna Murphy. Is this what they're appropriately instructed to do?

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:02pm

No--they shouldn't be doing that, if they are. That is sad and terribly unprofessional. However, they have probably endured endless abuse from audience members who are unable to properly channel their anger and frustration.

[TVBoy]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:05pm

"Playbill isn't responsible for reporting what they are being told."

Under that logic... why is CBS responsible for reporting what it was told?

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:07pm

potentially forged documents and press releases are totally different things! Playbill and CBS News are even totally different things.

[Spiritoflaw]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:12pm

There is no excuse for ridiculing anyone! Perhaps employees can be trained on how to respond to angry customers. It's part of their job. However, box office staff and ushers are notoriously nasty! I was told by an an actor that this nastiness is part of the theatre tradition and therefore, it is predictable. It's not like that in the classical music/opera tradition I grew up with.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:14pm

I wasn't offering an excuse, merely a reason.

[Spiritoflaw]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:18pm

Why did Play Bill have to publish that article today? It feels like rubbing salt into fresh wounds! I hate to say it like this, but the article would have been just as accurate if it said the opposite: instead of starting her last week in WT, they could've said not returning to her last week in WT. Both/neither statements are accurate. Oh boy, am I nasty? I didn't mean to be. I'm just frustrated and tired

Updated On: 9/21/04 at 11:18 PM

[TVBoy]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:19pm

Yes, they are two different organizations, but when it comes to reporting on something, facts should always be checked. First thing I learned in the world of journalism, NEVER believe, trust, or rely on a news release. (The folks over at Playbill have to know what's going on with Murphy and Wonderful Town. I would hate to think they didn't question whether or not she would return.) Playbill or CBS News... when you report on anything, you have a responsibility to the public to be right. Otherwise Playbill needs to run a disclaimer before its stories that says: Advertisement.

Updated On: 9/21/04 at 11:19 PM

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:30pm

I get this feeling that you guys will NEVER be satisfied.
Playbill is not investigative news journalism. If you really want to equate it with that--I just have to laugh that you aren't seeing a clear difference. But I will TRY to continue as if there isn't.
Playbill can only print the info as it is given. If Playbill was trying to release the Donna Murphy note that was posted backstage, they would be responsible for its validity. However, if Nicole Kidman sends a press release from her manager or publicist that says she has agreed to do Moulin Rouge in Las Vegas and a phone call or two even says, yes, Nicky is doing Vegas, then CBS will report this. If Nicky is lying to CBS, then it isn't CBS' fault.

Updated On: 9/21/04 at 11:30 PM

[TVBoy]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:36pm

I understand there is a difference. But you know what happens when someone reports something "just because they were given the information" whether or not they know it's correct? This! Confusion.. people asking questions. Playbill is in a position to set the record straight, but congrats to them for adding to our confusion.

In a related story... I'm faxing Playbill a News Release tomorrow stating I'm the new lead in Rent. Please pick up the latest copy of Playbill for all the details! :)

Updated On: 9/21/04 at 11:36 PM

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:40pm

Oh good grief, TVBoy--you of all people should know better. Official press releases are not just random notes faxed to people. Or, a phone call from the producers' office is not good enough?

Am I REALLY getting this BS argument from you? Have you EVER worked on the administrative side of things? Do you REALLY think Playbill should send someone out to "investigate"? They don't do that! That is not what they are!

Playbill is NOT in the position to set the record straight unless the people involved set the record straight.

Good GRIEF!

Updated On: 9/21/04 at 11:40 PM

[TVBoy]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:48pm

Yes, I know better... that's my point. I know better then to believe everything I read, and as a reporter, I know NOT to trust or rely on a news release. I noticed the Playbill artcile had a BY LINE, meaning it was written by someone. If they don't want to question people, why have someone write the story in the first place? Why not just cut and paste the news release?

My point is, if you are publishing something -- whether you are CBS News, Playbill, Teen Beat Magazine or the calorie counter chart at Krispy Kreme -- you have a responsibility to your readers to provide accurate information. Many times that means asking questions and not believing everything you are told. Playbill knows this is a hot topic right now. They easily could have cleared this whole mess up, but didn't because they had an "official news release" with all the information they need. (And there is no such thing as an "official" news release. Ask CBS News See, I do know better.

I rest my case with this post. I've made my point and stand by it. Now, off to bed.

By the way folks... GO SEE WONDERFUL TOWN!

Updated On: 9/21/04 at 11:48 PM

[Spiritoflaw]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:57pm

Wait a minute now! Just a minute because I did not rest my case yet. So, before I go to bed tonight, and since you're telling me to go see WT (and I agree), please tell me this: Will I see Donna be in the matinee or evening show tomorrow? Will I see her any day this week since it's advertised as her last week in WT?
Thank you and I will rest my case in a minute.