Stage elf
  • FRONT OF HOUSE
  • Stage Directions
    • Finding a Show
    • Choosing a Show
    • Getting a Ticket
    • Choosing a Seat
    • Getting a Discount
    • The Theaters >
      • Broadway
      • Off Broadway
      • Washington, DC
    • Theater Tips
  • Stage Presence: A Blog
  • Stage Door Tips & Tales
    • Stage Door Tales: A Blog
    • Stage Door Stars!
    • Stage Door Tips/Etiquette
    • Stage Door Locations >
      • Stage Doors on Broadway
      • Stage Doors Off Broadway
      • Stage Doors in Washington, DC
  • StageSprites [taking the kids!]
  • UpStage...Theater News Feeds
  • Curtain Call
    • About Me
    • Contact Me

Stage Presence...

Random & occasional musings on theatre-related topics...   

Win, Place...Show??

7/9/2012

0 Comments

 
It is a tricky thing, this recommending shows...whether you're giving or receiving.

Of course it's hard with anything we recommend to people-books, restaurants, movies-but with theater, the often prohibitive cost and lack of options once you commit (unlike with a restaurant menu, for example) make it a serious responsibility if you're going to make a show recommendation. I think we all probably feel a bit regretful if we hear that someone really didn't like something we recommended to them.

As much as I get frustrated with professional theater critics, I do empathize with the burden they bear if they pen a rave, only to have readers angry because they spent their limited ticket funds on a show that wasn't for them...I get why a critic might want to err on the side of caution. On the other hand, I tend to have a greater fear of being a reason why someone misses a show they'd have an out-of-body love experience with...

But I do have opinions about shows, and if someone asks for one of those opinions, my legendary long-windedness would get much worse if I qualified every point when I answer. And it is often quite shocking to me when someone doesn't enjoy a show I thought they'd love.

Take the current hit "Once," for example...I (and a large contingent of others, including the Tony Award voters) passionately adore this show. I find it lovely, lyrical, very human, romantic and beautifully staged and performed. Most I've spoken with agree. However, a few have been less enamored...they found it slow, too quiet and not what they wanted from a musical. I am glad to have heard those opinions, as it helps me when others ask if I think they should see it.
How do I know what camp you will fall into? Being short a crystal ball or two...I guess I don't.

This is why I am such an avid proponent of seeing enough theater of various types to learn about your own tastes. And then not judging yourself. It is OK to say you don't like musicals...or plays...or Andrew Lloyd Weber shows. The more you see, the better you'll balance the recommendations you get from others; and the better questions you'll ask.

And gaining this insight into your theater personality can be done anywhere; local and touring productions work great. In fact, your city may be a "try out" city for shows heading to Broadway...and you can get a sneak peek at a potentially lower cost! If you have kids, introduce them to theater early...it's a good way to learn about their likes and dislikes (but you must be willing to allow their tastes to be different than yours :)). More importantly, a love of theater can be a lifelong joy...and open many doors along the way.

Bottom line? Trust your instincts! It's a good thing to do in life anyway, but important in choosing what show to see as well. Definitely ask for recommendations but be sure to bring some of yourself to the discussion!! I want you to be glad you saw a show; even if it wasn't your favorite-I will always hope it was a worthwhile risk :). It's perfectly acceptable to skip the blockbuster that the whole world is buzzing about because it just isn't your thing...but do stretch yourself if you can afford to...you might be very pleasantly surprised at your reaction!
0 Comments
    Stage Directions
    Stage Door Tips & Tales
    Curtain Call
    Picture

    Archives

    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2016
    December 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    June 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011

    Categories

    All
    Alan Burkitt
    Andrew Keenan-bolger
    Benj Pasek
    Broadway Cares
    Broadway Easter Bonnet Competition
    Celia Keenan Bolger
    Celia Keenan-bolger
    Charlotte Gooch
    Cherry Jones
    Christopher Plummer
    Colm Toibin
    Condola Rashad
    Craig Wallace
    Cyndi Lauper
    Deborah Warner
    Dublin
    Fifth Of July
    Fiona Shaw
    Green Chimneys
    Harvey Fierstein
    Holly Twyford
    Joe Iconis
    July Fourth
    Justin Paul
    Kimberly Gilbert
    Lauren Bacall
    Lgbt
    Maggie Keenan Bolger
    Maggie Keenan-bolger
    Matthew Gardener
    Michael Kahn
    Mitchell Hebert
    New Musicals
    New Theater
    Off Broadway
    Orlando Bloom
    Playbill
    Playlist
    Rachel Sullivan
    Richard Rodgers Theatre
    Richard Thomas
    Romeo And Juliet
    Schmackary's
    Shakespeare Theatre Company
    Signature Theatre
    Smash
    Social Media Marketing
    Stage Door
    Swoosie Kurtz
    Testament Of Mary
    Theatre Weekends
    The Black Suits
    The Laramie Project
    Tom Hanks
    Tonya Pinkins
    Tony Awards 2013
    Top Hat
    Tweet Seats
    Woolly Mammoth Theatre Co.
    Zachary Quinto

    RSS Feed

Copyright 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials on these pages, including photographs, other than those clearly attributed to others or found on third-party websites linked to herein, are copyrighted by the the author and owner of this site.  No part of these pages, either text or image may be used for any purpose other than personal use. Therefore, reproduction, modification, storage in a retrieval system or retransmission, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise, for reasons other than personal use, is strictly prohibited without prior written permission.
  • FRONT OF HOUSE
  • Stage Directions
    • Finding a Show
    • Choosing a Show
    • Getting a Ticket
    • Choosing a Seat
    • Getting a Discount
    • The Theaters >
      • Broadway
      • Off Broadway
      • Washington, DC
    • Theater Tips
  • Stage Presence: A Blog
  • Stage Door Tips & Tales
    • Stage Door Tales: A Blog
    • Stage Door Stars!
    • Stage Door Tips/Etiquette
    • Stage Door Locations >
      • Stage Doors on Broadway
      • Stage Doors Off Broadway
      • Stage Doors in Washington, DC
  • StageSprites [taking the kids!]
  • UpStage...Theater News Feeds
  • Curtain Call
    • About Me
    • Contact Me