ONCE UPON A TIME...
Our community theater shows were consistently reviewed by the local newspapers and arts magazines. For the most part, those days are now behind us. Although AltDaily and a few other places review the occasional show on the south side, far too many shows go by without ever being reviewed or publicized. A few years ago, someone came up with a solution: the idea to create a theater blog, reviewing shows under the pseudonym The Theater Babe. After a short time, another unsigned review blog popped up called The Anonymous Theatre Goer. Both blogs provided fairly insightful reviews, likely from people within our own acting community who did not want to expose their true opinions. Over time, both have apparently faded away which recently gave way to Drama Dandy. The most recent anonymous reviewer sparked a renewed outcry on Facebook for reviewers to start signing their names to reviews. I don't expect any of those reviewers to break their anonymity, so I have decided to create a blog to break the mold. I will follow in the footsteps of the previous blog reviewers, with a blog style lovingly and ironically borrowed from the most famous of the bunch, The Theater Babe. The only difference? I will gladly sign my name at the bottom of my reviews.
As I state in the "About Me" section, don't take what I say too seriously. Although I feel like I have plenty of theatrical experience to critique a show, I am still offering just one person's opinion. If I didn't like you, the person next to me may have loved you. I plan to give a fair assessment of what I see, even if we are best friends. In return, I will gladly accept discussion via Facebook messaging. Attempting to undermine my opinion by saying things like "you sucked in the last show I saw you in anyway" doesn't really add anything to the conversation and gives merit to the reviewers that we have ostracized for remaining anonymous.
I've had a lot of discussion with people who have said they wish we had a consistent reviewer again. So here it is. Enjoy it for what it is. Use it to publicize your shows. Don't take it too seriously. Break legs, and most importantly HAVE FUN. After all, that's why we do theater, right?
Jonathan McCormick
About Me
- The Theater Stud
- In my not very humble and perfectly correct opinion, Hampton Roads is long-overdue for a straightforward, honest reviewer of all things theatrical who isn't afraid to sign the bottom of the review! The anonymity of blog reviewers has caused a stir in our community. We've called them cowards. We've set up a Facebook page giving everyone a chance to sound off on each other anonymously. Now, I offer a blog lampooning the style of The Theater Babe, complete with "sexy" tree stump pose, while still giving critical insight on what's playing in Hampton Roads. I intend to give a fair assessment of what I see regardless of whether I know the actors or creative team. I'll always let the public know why they should see every show. Keep in mind that I'm only stating one person's opinion: my own. If you have any questions or want more information about my opinions, feel free to message me and I'll gladly discuss it. Though I'm perfectly capable of ignoring negativity, be aware that if your response to a review is to attempt to undermine my opinion or insult me personally, you are probably the reason reviewers have remained anonymous. Enjoy, don't take it too seriously, and break legs! Jonathan
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Good idea, Jonathan. I look forward to reading humorous, uplifting, and interesting reviews. Be sure to include sets, lighting, staging, costumes, blocking, sound, et al.
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