An Open Letter To All Posters on This Board

[BuildingBridges]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 12:15am

Dear Posters,

I came across this message board recently while viewing press photos, and wanted to share something personal about the nature of posting thoughts, feelings, reviews, etc. on new theatrical endeavors in the commercial venue of New York City.

I am a part of the company of the new Broadway musical Doctor Zhivago.  I make a living working in show business as well as other venues completely unrelated to the arts, so I can relate to both those who are in the middle of this industry and those who look in upon it and support - or diminish - it.   I have never seen the show that I'm a part of and as such have no desire to either critique or defend it.  After seeing the emotional and sometimes virulent nature of the comments posted about Zhivago and other shows on and off-Broadway, I am compelled to point something out, with respect and compassion for all who post: 

Not everyone will love every show.  EVERYONE is entitled to their opinion as to the artistic merit of something they see, and that includes finding a piece to have no merit whatsoever  But - whether you love or hate a show, what you may not realize is that the people who are doing the work, from 27 to 60 hours, 6 days a week, have no control over how the show was written, directed, produced, or advertised. They only have control over what they have contributed, and I can speak for the entire theater community when I say that generally speaking, all of us come to work putting everything we can offer into the job: our minds, bodies, and the emotional and spiritual inner lives that are unique to each of us with our own histories.  I personally spent the last three months working steadfastly on Zhivago with an open heart and mind, preparing before every rehearsal or performance to breathe life into an experience that always had the potential to transform those witnessing it.  And fortunately, we were able to share it with many who were transformed by the experience and have received us with joy, love, and tears.  

I know it's difficult to walk a mile in our shoes, but I urge you to think, before writing comments that you wish for a show to close, or that it never should have been produced in the first place, about the large number of people who are employed by a production of this size.  There are more people backstage than onstage - dressers, makeup artists, hair artists, carpenters, flymen and women, stage managers, even physical and massage therapists.  I work with some absolutely wonderful people - people with husbands, wives, and children - who are stellar at their respective jobs and come to work in good faith, hoping that they will continue to have a job to come to.  And the writers of this piece, helmed by the luminescent Lucy Simon, poured their hearts into this work for almost 15 years.  

So please, in gratitude that there are so many shows right now in all of our marvelous historic theaters on Broadway, consider how you would feel if someone was actively attacking your job, hoping that you will be unemployed. Think about how you speak about theater in general.   Are you building up, or are you destroying? Are you celebrating the art of theater, or are you praying for its demise?  Just as we are all human beings, we all deserve respect, understanding, and a little kindness.  Let's keep the art we say we love alive.  

Well wishes to you all.  

 

[Musical Master]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 12:19am

It is sad to see any show close on Broadway before it's time, so I wish you the best to keep going in theater.

[JPeterman]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 12:30am

Thank you for taking the time to give the board this wonderfully written letter.

[asmith0307]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 12:33am

Thank you for this. As someone who will have a job tied to a production in the future, I never want to wish for a show to close as I know that could be my own show one day.

 

Best of luck with the future and finding a new (and equally deserving) story to share with the world. 

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 12:34am

On the upside (I guess) there's a guy on this board who ONLY loves shows that are struggling and close quickly.  Shows like yours help him feel superior to everybody else.  So it's like a service you perform.

Good luck in the future.

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 12:41am

What an eloquently written message. Thank you, and I couldn't agree more. I cannot stand those who wish a show to close simply because their personal experience seeing it was not enjoyable. As an individual person, I certainly don't see myself as being significant enough to be deciding what art is worthy of being seen and what isn't. Many posters would be doing this board a favor by heeding your message and thinking that same way. 

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 12:47am

Thank you for this. 

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 1:01am

As a theater lover, I'm always sad to see any show close. Every time I take my seat in a theater, I'm hoping it's going to be the greatest thing I've ever seen. Of course it can't always be that bit I don't understand the mentality of wishing a show ill. Whether or not it's my cup of tea, I always hope it will find an audience because those who enjoy it might just come back and see another show. And if we're not building the audience, we aren't building a future for the theater. I'm sorry things didn't work out for Zhivago and wish the company all the best in the future. Hopefully your letter will inspire more empathy on this board for the blood, sweat and tears that go into making a piece of theater, whatever your personal opinion of it may be.  

[Annetteiago]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 1:17am

I never want a show to close. I wish everyone well. When you put your guts and heart and soul in to something its hard to swallow negativity. But I will tell you something what does not kill you makes you stronger. It took me 5 years to get a job when I finally got one in the same industry I applied to 5 years ago. I was very happy and pleased but it took the criticism and all the critics to inspire me to keep going to prove I can do this despite my issues. You can either let criticism defeat you or make you better . I do think that people who work in theatre should not criticise other musicals you are all in this together,

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 1:44am

As an individual person, I certainly don't see myself as being significant enough to be deciding what art is worthy of being seen and what isn't.

We'll be starting a BWW self esteem workshop very soon.  Stay tuned!

[HogansHero]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 1:51am

Building,

As someone who has been quite harsh on your show, let me say I appreciate the passionate way you have spoken up. I think you should also recognize that many of us have worked in one capacity or another, on a bunch of shows, and that there are certain things you have to come to understand about this crazy business. Unlike some other areas where one can work, the overwhelming dynamic of the theatre is rejection: actors are rejected, playwrights are rejected, directors are rejected, and shows are rejected,  etc etc etc. You have to learn that it is part of the way of theatrical life. No one wants anyone to lose their job, but this is a business in which job security is non-existent and you simply have to accept that if you want the highs that come with the lows. A lot of people think we are crazy to work in the theatre, and even more think people who invest in theatre are beyond nuts. But something draws us to it, and there is a passion that you don't find in other careers-not even in the collateral careers (that almost always pay better. Sometimes people say that a show should close, but itis not out of a lack of empathy but simply (in my case at least) because I have looked at the objective facts-the reviews, the box office, the overall finances-and concluded it is not viable. Sadly, there is no good news in any of the fundamentals relating to Zhivago: there is nothing there that could have been saved. I know that's a tough pill, but looking back on it, you will come to understand that. I know; I've been down that road plenty. One of the other fantastic things about the theatre is the camaraderie that develops among the company, on and off stage, working on the show. And sometimes that produces a false sense of success. I will leave you with the advice I have heard a giant of the theatre give actors (and probably others) who are relatively new to the business: Don't read reviews, don't read message boards like this one, don't stand in front of the theatre after a show and eavesdrop on what people are saying: it's a diversion you can't process and still give the show your best. And 99 times out of a hundred, nothing that you read has anything to do with you or your role in the show. I doubt much of this is what you are wanting to read right now, but I hope as you are engaged in the unpleasant days of licking your wounds, you will process it in the spirit in which it is offered. And I sincerely hope that this seeming defeat empowers you to become even better at whatever it is you do in the future.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 2:16am

There's always the reunion cabaret at 54 Below!

[tazber]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 2:41am

I think most regular posters on this board know well enough about how difficult this business can be.

And I thank you for your message.

But this is a place where we do and will discuss all aspects of shows.

And when discussions are robust and meaningful there will always be those who will express themselves in different ways. Comments range from great to harsh.

 

I think you would have been better served writing this to the critics.

I wish you all the luck in your next show.

 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 2:42am

I enjoy the show. I'm disappointed that it's closing so soon and I'm also disappointed that others feel the need to insult my taste or the taste and opinions of others who enjoyed themselves. I can read reviews and look at the grosses too but I don't take it upon myself to decide that a show should close or that others must have bad taste for finding something to applaud.

[kristinj1]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 4:21am

"... there are certain things you have to come to understand about this crazy business. Unlike some other areas where one can work, the overwhelming dynamic of the theatre is rejection: actors are rejected, playwrights are rejected, directors are rejected, and shows are rejected,  etc etc etc. You have to learn that it is part of the way of theatrical life."

 

While there is ample rejection in this industry, I'd say the real "overwhelming dynamic" is creativity, which requires a safe environment to flourish.  

Snark and harsh criticism can be funny and seductive, but it is often also a form of bullying.  I find it sad to see the extent to which it has permeated the industry recently, and urge people to indulge in it privately if so inclined but not spew it widely since, like other forms of abuse, it can be self-perpetuating.

Opinions are cheap, but snark is cheaper.

 

 

Updated On: 5/5/15 at 04:21 AM

[indytallguy]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 5:08am

I appreciate the original post as it no doubt reflects a heartfelt expression that many artists feel.

But as a theatre lover, I'm not particularly sad when a show closes because all shows eventually close when an audience can no longer be attracted.  That's the nature of any creative business and that reality does not deny the fact that many (if not all) of those involved brought their full passion and talent to bear in what they created.

Movies are made, but some are never released, some go straight to DVD, and some end up being blockbusters.  Books are written and some go straight to the remainders table, others produce negligible sales, and some become bestsellers.

It indeed can be devastating when the public doesn't show sufficient interest in our art, whatever medium it might be.  And biting comments like "this should never have been made in the first place" no doubt sting. Yet the creative arts are awash in examples of works that were heavily criticized or that failed to find an audience initially that later were reworked, reinterpreted, and remounted to much greater acclaim.

Any of us involved in work that requires an ongoing audience for success need to listen to ALL of the audio of those we are trying to attract., not just the praise.  No matter how callously some may express their criticism, there often is learning to be found, particularly when the criticism reaches the volume of a chorus.

 

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 5:19am

What a lovely, wonderful post. On behalf of everyone who posts here at BroadwayWorld--including the assholes--we wish you the best.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 5:34am

Speculating that a show will close, or that based on financials that it should is hardly hoping or wishing that it will close.

 

Disliking or trashing a show is just an opinion...No more or less valid than someone that loves a show. 

 

Are some posters more aggressive then others?  Do some go too far?  Certainly.  But criticizing the whole board is silly....The majority of us didn't do what you accused of us.

While I appreciate your passion - I must question your reality - why would what any anonymous poster says have any effect on what you do or strive for as an artist? Don't give them that sort of power.

Even the posters that hated your show, WANTED it to be better, WANTED it to be wonderful; every time we buy a ticket it's full of hope and dreams as an audience member that they will experience an amazing evening on stage.  It doesn't always happen, and we, too, are saddened and a bit heartbroken.  Do you expect that WE are not passionate, too?  If we weren't, the disappointment would not be so great.

 

 

 

[binau]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 5:50am

It's easy to forget sometimes that there are real people with real emotions trying very hard behind the scenes to make it work.

However, the criticism is nothing personal. I paid $133.40 AUD to watch Dr Zhivago in Australia, and felt like I wasted my time and money. Worst of all was the disappointment because the creative team and cast involved were first-rate . I'm not sure why I'm reiterating this here - I think it's because I want to reinforce that Dr Zhivago is/was a very expensive service that also impacts those who pay to go and see it. And given the audience are literally the most important stakeholders involved in this project, that is important. 

I'm sorry you are out of work, and I hope you can find work with a show with greater longevity. It's really nothing personal, just my (unfortunate) experience of the show.

Updated On: 5/5/15 at 05:50 AM

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 6:38am

Great post. Some posters on here go way too far with their animosity about performers and shows on here. The only thing most people gain on an anonymous message board is a delusion of power. So much snark and negativity gets said on this board that they wouldn't dare say to someone's face in real life. The comments about Darren Criss starting in Hedwig and Josh Kaufman starting Pippin were particularly nasty.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 8:01am

This needed to be said. Having said that, I know it has fallen on some deaf ears . These individuals are lost causes as what was said here and it will go in one ear and out the other. These people think it does not apply to them and their opinion is the only one that counts and should be considered gospel.

I am surprised at all the positive responses.How long it holds is anyone's guess. Like any peace treaty, it will eventually be broken but we can hope for a period of peace however brief it might be

The one poster whose name sounds like an animated movie about locating something is proof. I snuck a peek to see if I knew what the response would be  was actually the case.It was. FN ,I think your response was meant for yourself. Look in the mirror before criticizing others.

Updated On: 5/5/15 at 08:01 AM

[tazber]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 8:05am

Lol Roxy,

you're one of the people this thread is directed at.

[atuomala]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 8:07am

Thank you for this letter. I think the board really needs to hear more from the people who WORK in theatre and not just the people who see theatre. A new perspective needs to be brought to this forum.

[Jane2]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 8:45am

I completely understand and feel strongly about the effort,  heart and soul that's put into a work of art by every single person involved. It's in your blood, it's what makes you happy, it's what you feel you must do. I'm one of those to an extent.

In my mind (oy) the opinions are separate from the work that went behind the piece. An analogy - say a fashion designer works for weeks on a gown, puts their heart and soul into it. It's now in a store. Some people comment, "no, I'm not fond of it at all." Others fall in love with it. It goes without saying that the artist put their all into it. 

If you're the artist, and you read/hear the opinions, you have to accept the fact that art is subjective. You'll never please everyone. 

Keep doing what you love! The satisfaction comes with knowing that you've done your best.

[tazber]

Posted: 5/5/15 at 8:46am

Best post in the thread, Jane.