I am easily entertained. I love to laugh in the theatre, and cry. And I have a lifelong love affair with the stage, from both sides of the fourth wall. So, generally, you can expect my reviews to skew to the positive.
You should know this—and a few other things—up front. For my reviews to be most helpful, you should have a sense for my biases and background, as well as my intent.
Let’s start with some background: When it comes to live theatre, my standards are high. My Dad was the drama editor for the New York Post, I was a Broadway regular even before my bar mitzvah. Even before I studied the craft seriously in college—acting, directing, writing plays—I aready tended to regard theatre as something holy. (I even gave up pursuing a career as an actor, because I didn’t think I was good enough to do it justice.) I say this to let you know how deeply I care. How much good theatre matters to me.
My highest compliment?
“Unselfconscious.” I’ve noticed that I use this word a lot. It’s the highest compliment I can give to an actor. (It’s what I strove for when I was on stage, and rarely achieved). It means that the actor, as his or her character, is fully present , deeply listening and engaged. He or she is speaking thoughts not words. (My ear is as sensitive to the lack of thought as a musician’s is to a sour notes.) That presence is what makes magic. And that magic is why I love theatre.
Reviewing on a Curve?
On this site, I’ll be reviewing shows produced both by professional companies (The Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Oregon Cabaret Theatre) as well as community theatres, where most of the players may be well-skilled—and every bit as entertaining—but amateur. (And the ticket prices clearly reflect this distinction.) So, while always giving you my honest and best take, I will unashamedly review these shows differently. For instance, I will be more likely to heed my mother’s wise words: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
Rosey’s Ratings
However, if you want an objective comparison between plays—no matter whether the production is staged by OSF or community theatre—you’ll have my ratings. I rate each play on a scale of one through five stars. (I refer to these stars as Roseys).
Your Reviews
I see my reviews as just a way to start a conversation. I want to read and hear what you have to say about a particular play, or anything to do with theatre in Ashland. So I invite you to add your comment or send me an email or give me a call. (Of course, I’m just as eager to have a conversation about the real estate market in Ashland and how I can help you find your new home…)
Less Can be More
One of my favorite books when I was studying theatre was called “Toward a Poor Theatre.” The premise, is that effective, powerful drama requires nothing more than the actors; costumes, sets, make-up are really superfluous. Having done some of my best work on stage in such a simple context, I know it’s true. So when a director makes an artistic decision to do more with less, I will be on my feet applauding. (This season’s OSF production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a perfect example. The set is stripped down to its essentials. And while the courthouse is supposed to be packed with spectators, the director keeps the population down to the barest minimum. It worked for me, adding focus and intensity.)
Then again, as much as I appreciate the possibilities of a “poor” theatre, I am also a sucker for staging that overfills my senses with sounds and colors, something that the Camelot Theatre Company does very well. In musicals, I prefer loud to soft, funny over gushy. I prefer my comedies black. A punster myself, I love both the good and the groaners. I can do silly and schmaltzy.
Oh, I’m a Realtor first!
Maybe the most important thing you should know is that reviewing plays isn’t my profession. It’s my passion. And I’ve made it a key part of my marketing plan. I’m a Realtor, and I am reviewing these plays and writing this blog as a conscious way to connect with folks like you who share my passion—folks who I hope will become my clients.
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