Comments for goestoshow

Comment on Fringelog 2010: Death: Live! ****1/2 by Joel

Joel — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 01:57:08 +0000

I’m interested in which ones didn’t hold your interest? And which one you don’t remember anything from? Audience research…

Comment on Fringelog 2010: Unnatural Selection or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love The Chicken-Milk Bomb *** by Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 04:21:43 +0000

Thanks for the review. Some very cogent points and good criticism. The play is an original work and we’ll be taking it back into workshop after this fringe run so all feedback is much appreciated. I do hope though that the play touches on some universal themes of belonging to a group that resonate outside the christian community. As a straight atheist, I have to say that’s what drew me to the play in the first place. Anyways…thanks for coming and thanks for sharing your thoughts on it!

Comment on Fringelog 2010 Meta: Casual Reviews and Angry Directors of Programming by Graham Batty

Graham Batty — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:53:30 +0000

@Peator: I would agree, but there is a direct conflict of interest in my eyes for a director of programming to have open disdain for audience members. He does not ONLY represent Teatro, he also represents the Varscona in a position of apparent authority (whether internally it’s just an administrative or figurehead role or not). It is in the latter post that I find his position more objectionable, actually, since I’m not a frequenter of Teatro to begin with. And I don’t think an apology is too much to ask.

I have also not asked anyone to join me in not attending things at the Varscona. I am not put out by missing good things, as if I were I would be eternally put out by all the wonderful things I miss out on every day. If other people feel as I do that this is an unacceptable action on the part of someone who holds a huge degree of influence in the theatre community, that’s their own choice.

Like my reviews, I only expressed my own disgust and what I’m doing about it. I actually don’t disdain Jeff Haslam. I understand that accepting criticism gracefully is difficult, and may even become impossible after suffering the eternal barrage of it that artists are forced to endure even when they’re the best of the best. I want nothing more than to see him do the right thing and accept responsibility for his actions, and admit that his reply to the post went above and beyond anything a reasonable person should ever say to another reasonable person.

He questioned her integrity, her right to have an opinion, and her right to express that opinion. And then he told someone who was enough of a fan of him and his company to buy a season pass (no small undertaking for most people) that she should never ever do so again. If he were just some random actor reacting badly, that would be one thing.

Comment on Fringelog 2010 Meta: Casual Reviews and Angry Directors of Programming by Peator

Peator — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:20:43 +0000

I understand your disdain for Mr. Haslam, but not attending any performance at the Varscona is a little overboard. While Mr. Haslam is the Artistic Director of Teatro, he does not run the Varscona, it is currently shared by a number of Theatre Companies, and many have nothing to do with Mr. Haslam, nor do they share his morals (or lack there of). It would be a shame for you to miss out on the good theatre that happens year round at the Varscona.

These are sad times for Edmonton Theatre indeed. I don’t side with either force… but I fear the effects this will have on the Community.

Comment on Fringelog 2010 Meta: Casual Reviews and Angry Directors of Programming by Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:13:38 +0000

Fantastic point about seeing plays you want to see. (And about paying for your ticket and being able to say what you want.)

I had similar thoughts about taste when asked to write about the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. I told the ESO’s savvy social media guy I might not be able to critique the classics as a well-honed music scholar might. He was was more than happy to have someone with professionalism (and probably a following) writing about them, acknowledging the traditional media coverage of culture is usually something from Hollywood. And he let me know I didn’t have to tell people if the second flute was having an off night.

The reviews are happening, and rather than tell people to shut-up and stay away, businesses need to embrace the conversation that’s always taken place. It’s just taking place more visibly now.

Comment on Fringelog 2010 Meta: Casual Reviews and Angry Directors of Programming by sally

sally — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:36:58 +0000

Very well said!

Comment on Fringelog 2010: Fairy Tales Scratched ***1/2 by Adam Snider

Adam Snider — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:49:39 +0000

The part about pointing out the lack of funny is part of the script. Or it was ad libbed during an early performance and has now become a part of the script. Because, those lines were in there when I saw the show, too. (And, based on the date that you posted this review, I saw it 2 or 3 days later than you did.)

I do agree with you about the frame story being a bit incoherent at times (the ending felt especially so, like they didn’t know how to end it, so…TIDAL WAVE!). Overall, though, I enjoyed it for the comedy and find it hard to criticize too much, simply because I found it so entertaining.

Comment on Fringelog 2010: Game Face **** by Scott C Bourgeois

Scott C Bourgeois — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 21:12:50 +0000

Glad you liked it, and more importantly was glad to hear about the “jaw dropping.”

Comment on Fringelog 2010: Initial List of Plays to See by steve

steve — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 21:11:18 +0000

Bash’d and Supervillan monologues!

Saw Misadventures of Massage and don’t bother. Rent Eurotrip and Van Wilder instead for immature college humor.

Comment on Fringelog 2010: Initial List of Plays to See by Rachelle

Rachelle — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:41:23 +0000

I am all in for any/all of the following:

– Famished, The Musical (ZOMBIES AND MUSICAL? ZOMG YES!! This one I definitely want to see!)
– Night Sweats (This is SPIN’s actor’s other show. I’d like to see it.)
– Bash’d! A Gay Rap Musical
– The Supervillain Monologues (ZOMG WIN!)
– A Cynic Tells Love Stories
– The Human Body Project (definitely on my list)
– Rapture! UofA Fine Arts Building