Broadwayworld forum: one of the most important Broadway community assets

[qolbinau]

It is funny when people on social media, such as twitter, flippantly dismiss Broadwayworld and its posters. However, it is clear from the amount of professionals who read this forum that the posts here are at the very least read. And with good reason - this is one of the few, if not the only source on the internet that professionals can get immediate and instant feedback from real, experienced theatre-goers just moments after the very first performance they are involved in - and on-going throughout a run, without having to pay a single cent.

Sometimes it hurts that everyone isn't saying positive things about shows or performances, but this is exactly why this forum is valuable - because in the insider circles you will have people lying to you until it's too late. And it is almost always better for views to be expressed openly so they can addressed and challenged. 

This forum does not have to try to justify itself or demand that 'attention must be paid'. It is clear from the critics of this board that attention is paid. We should not need to feel shamed or dismissed - we are an important community and that is why we are not ignored. 

[Boq101]

I think we're a petty community and that's why we're not ignored. I think this place being older than dirt, meaning any tech-illiterate actor can find a way to respond, is why we're not ignored. 

We're not an important community asset. If this place closed down shows wouldn't make less money. I've seen twitter threads bear more weight than the entirety of this place. 

[greensgreens]

My favorite is when you post your thoughts about a show and actors personally reach out to you and ask you to remove your less than favorable review. What a laugh!

[yankeefan7]

I think you have exaggerated the importance of this forum. There are critics who tell people in the business what they think of a particular show. The ticket sales are the best indicator on whether the show is good or bad in the view of the public. I am sure audience reaction in previews helps more than a post from somebody on this forum. Does it really matter what random people on this board say about how good an actor/actress is in a show? Just because you are a "Broadway Legend" on this board does not mean you know more than others, it is just because you have posted often. 

[Fosse76]

yankeefan7 beat me to it. Contrary to what you some here may think, most working Broadway professionals are dismissive of the opinions from this (and the other) board. 

[qolbinau]

Only when they don't like them - and yet even when they don't, people keep coming back to read the posts year after year after year. 

[goodlead]

I didn't know that actors and others ask that negative comments be deleted. Theater is not a delicate business, and bad reviews and opinions are part of it, as those involved know or should know. Posters on this board usually go out of the way to couch criticisms in a respectful way, and sometimes, in my opinion, they go too far, e.g., sorry for those who will be losing their jobs. Everyone connected with a production knows that's the risk they take.

[Owen22]

Oh, please. Just remember the mob mentality recent 95% negative reviews Beetlejuice was receiving on here. And how embarrassingly quiet all these supposedly well-theatred posters were when the actual reviews showed how out-of-touch they were!

[ghostlight2]

"Posters on this board usually go out of the way to couch criticisms in a respectful way, and sometimes, in my opinion, they go too far, e.g., sorry for those who will be losing their jobs. Everyone connected with a production knows that's the risk they take."

 

I don't really agree with the first part of your first sentence, but never mind that: do you really think it's going "too far" to feel "sorry for those who will be losing their jobs? I mean, sure, it's part of the job, but I still have compassion for those who have to look for work.

[UncleCharlie]

I'm pretty sure most producers decide what theater to book for their next show based on opinions here and I know most actors look to this board for guidance on what their next 10 roles should be and whether they are a fit for Gypsy if it is offered. 

[Islander_fan]

greensgreens said: "My favorite is when you post your thoughts about a show and actors personally reach out to you and ask you to remove your less than favorable review. What a laugh!"


Is this in reference to the Patti Murin situation?

[JBC3]

Broadwayworld forum: one of the most important Broadway community assets

No, it is not.

[ModernMillie3]

"Broadwayworld forum: one of the most important Broadway community assets"

[TotallyEffed]

Don't embarrass yourself any more than you already have, dear.

[dramamama611]

I don't come here to be any sort of asset to the bway community.  I come here to discuss theater.   I personally know ONE person who sees as much theater as do I, and we seldom agree.   

 

 

[qolbinau]

It also serves as perhaps the only archive of ‘real’ people reactions to shows, as opposed to critics. Want to go back at read posts about Bernadette in Gypsy 16 years ago? You can. This is an incredible place.

[UncleCharlie]

They're not going to hire you as their official anti-organized religion correspondent. Stop trying so hard.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I think this message board is an important source of all matters Broadway/musical theatre.  I certainly have learned quite a bit about theatre by reading posts and comments.  Certainly, there is much to like and admire about BWW.  For sure, it's not everyone's cup of tea.  But I love it, for the most part.  from Roman Castillo Jr. in Austin, Texas

[qolbinau]

UncleCharlie said: "They're not going to hire you as their official anti-organized religion correspondent. Stop trying so hard."

What are you talking about? I don’t want or need a job here. But on your specific point, I have been impressed recently at the few threads such as around the Salvation Army, Mormon choir etc. that are calling out the negative impact religious organisations have on the LGBT community. Progress. 

[yankeefan7]

"It also serves as perhaps the only archive of ‘real’ people reactions to shows, as opposed to critics. Want to go back at read posts about Bernadette in Gypsy 16 years ago? You can. This is an incredible place."

It also serves the important information (lol) of what actors come out and do the stage door after their show and are they nice.

[greensgreens]

Islander_fan said: "greensgreens said: "My favorite is when you post your thoughts about a show and actors personally reach out to you and ask you to remove your less than favorable review. What a laugh!"


Is this in reference to the Patti Murin situation?"

No, this was actually involving another actor and happened about 10 years ago. I didn't bother to report it or make a big production at the time. But, I was appalled and had a bit of a laugh when I received the message and told them how ridiculous that request was. The post remains uncensored.

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

as an out of towner i find this forum very useful to keep me informed on what's what on Broadway...i like to read about the buzz shows have or not have on this forum, and there are always interesting bits of information to be gleamed from all you "experts"...even if most of it is untrue...

[JBC3]

lol ...
here one can indeed find lots of "expertise" in things that turn out not to be true

[Someone in a Tree2]

BWW remains a valuable asset for me personally, community be damned. There remain enough long-time posters on here whom I respect that really are my yardstick for deciding which shows are worth ponying up big bucks for and which aren't. Of course, nothing's failsafe: I'll still see plenty of shows that fall flat for me despite non-stop raves on BWW (can you say OKLAHOMA or MOULIN ROUGE?) but that's the price you pay for finding live theater you love.