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Disclaimer:
The reviewers' opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect
the views of TheatreLouisville.org.
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From the publisher...
A.S. Waterman
September 2008
Something for Everyone
The new season begins, and it's shaping up to be a fine one! There
is truly something for every taste, from
classics to children's to groundbreaking new theatre.
The difficulty is that it will be quite a challenge
to see all that one might wish to see.
Eight (at last count) openings were scheduled for either
Sept. 4 or 5, including several with nearly identical
runs. True, dirty
sexy derby play is unlikely to be targeting the same audience
as James and the Giant Peach, but some overlap
among parents is entirely possible. It's even more
likely with concurrent offerings The
Full Monty, The Laramie Project and Seven
Brides for Seven Brothers, along with An
Evening of Sketch Comedy. I, for one, had to pick and
choose when I would have liked to see them all.
Theatre people love theatre, and it's a shame that
some fine productions will have to be missed.
Launching en masse right after Labor Day could be avoided
in the future. I hope these theatres are thinking ahead, and won't
repeat the process right after Derby.
'Nuff said.
Spreading Thin Resources Over a Wider Territory
So far, TheatreLouisville is keeping up with requests
to cover the wide range of openings, although
it can be exhausting. Reviewers, I hope you'll
approach each new production looking for
something to like rather than something to criticize.
As peer reviewers, we know how much hard work
goes into even the most modest production. Let's
try to give credit wherever it's due. Remember
that we have been there, giving up our precious
nights and weekends, asking only for the audience
to say thank you.
Therefore, from TheatreLouisville
to all Kentuckiana actors and theatre groups:
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.
The Vanishing Print Media Coverage
Late in August, the Courier-Journal fired
its TV critic, saying it no longer needed one, although
that column had been among the C-J's most popular
features. That same week, LEO downsized
its group of theatre reviewers. Let's hope this isn't
happening
en masse as well. TheatreLouisville
remains committed to supporting the theatre community across Kentuckiana, but — all
friendly rivalries aside
— we don't want to be the only ones. Here's
hoping the print media will reverse the trend they've
started.
That Precious Commodity: Time
Recently I've noticed a disturbing pattern of dragging out production cycles,
tying up actors and crew for months on end. One local theatre group held auditions
in early August for a show that opens in November, and another for one that
opens in February. Still another cancelled its final production of the summer,
holding actors on contract over until next June. Such disregard for people's
time can only backfire, leaving directors without casts or vice versa, and
theatres struggling to meet the commitments they've posted. All need to realize
that mutual respect is an essential ingredient for success, and that theatre
people are people first, and theatre second.
Okay, Now Break a Leg
We face many challenges during the months ahead,
but this is the time to summon our inner resources
and meet them head on. Kentuckiana theatre is
vibrant, resourceful and creative, and if we
work together, there is no challenge we can't
surmount.
Here's hoping we'll see you in the papers.
— A.S. Waterman
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Copyright © 2008 A.S. Waterman. All rights reserved.
Read previous Messages from the Publisher
August 2008
June-July 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
November-December
2007
September-October 2007
July-August 2007
May-June 2007
Mar. -Apr. 2007
Jan.-Feb. 2007
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NEW THIS WEEK:
Send us your 2009-10 Season listings. We'll post them here as they
come in.
OPENING THIS WEEK:
NEW COLUMN:
Jeffrey Scott Holland's "Suspension of Disbelief"
NEW REVIEWS:
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