Comments on: How Theater Failed America http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/01/08/how-theater-failed-america/ Washington DC's Liveliest Theater Website Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:08:53 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Sara http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/01/08/how-theater-failed-america/comment-page-1/#comment-7101 Sara Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:10:44 +0000 http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=3540#comment-7101 Steven, well put! Janet, I didn't see either Daisey or McKnight as snobbish in referencing L&O. I do think it's tough for local performing artists everywhere that audiences seem to think that television appearances are a sign of a more worthwhile stage artist -- like, why should I waste my time going to see a show where I might not know who anybody on stage is since they've never been on a major TV show, when I can see someone who was on Law & Order? Celebrity sometimes seems like a collective, communicable, cultural disease. Steven, well put! Janet, I didn’t see either Daisey or McKnight as snobbish in referencing L&O.

I do think it’s tough for local performing artists everywhere that audiences seem to think that television appearances are a sign of a more worthwhile stage artist — like, why should I waste my time going to see a show where I might not know who anybody on stage is since they’ve never been on a major TV show, when I can see someone who was on Law & Order? Celebrity sometimes seems like a collective, communicable, cultural disease.

]]> By: Janet http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/01/08/how-theater-failed-america/comment-page-1/#comment-7044 Janet Sat, 10 Jan 2009 13:12:58 +0000 http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=3540#comment-7044 Steve, Your reaction ” When Daisey refers to a production starring actors who have once been on “Law and Order” you can’t help but smile. ” is definitely different than mine would have been. I would have frowned with disgust at the misplaced snobbery. The Law & Order shows are prestigious and employ many stage actors. I'm always delighted to see performances in Law & Order referenced. Steve, Your reaction ” When Daisey refers to a production starring actors who have once been on “Law and Order” you can’t help but smile. ” is definitely different than mine would have been. I would have frowned with disgust at the misplaced snobbery. The Law & Order shows are prestigious and employ many stage actors. I’m always delighted to see performances in Law & Order referenced.

]]> By: Steven McKnight http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/01/08/how-theater-failed-america/comment-page-1/#comment-7005 Steven McKnight Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:00:20 +0000 http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=3540#comment-7005 I agree with Tim's overall sentiments completely. Among the other straw men that Mike Daisey knocks down are artistic directors who are concerned with filling slots (so what's wrong with a diverse yet balanced season) and actors who fly in to perform and play and then leave (as if that can't be artistically invigorating). Nonetheless, as Tim indicates, the performance is so worth attending. When Daisey refers to a production starring actors who have once been on "Law and Order" you can't help but smile. When he describes a primitive lighting system but then adds "we did have gels - we weren't ANIMALS" I let out a good belly laugh. Daisey talks about how those of us who love theatre would like to view it as something nobel and pure. On the other hand, even when you see the flaws in a loved one and still love that person, I think it's a sign of maturity. Daisey is short on solutions other than to challenge the young people in the audience to carry forward with passion and intelligence to overcome how our generation has failed by selling out. If that call to arms energizes younger theatregoers, terrific. When I look at contemporary theatre, though, I still see much worthy of admiration and pride, including this show. I agree with Tim’s overall sentiments completely. Among the other straw men that Mike Daisey knocks down are artistic directors who are concerned with filling slots (so what’s wrong with a diverse yet balanced season) and actors who fly in to perform and play and then leave (as if that can’t be artistically invigorating).
Nonetheless, as Tim indicates, the performance is so worth attending. When Daisey refers to a production starring actors who have once been on “Law and Order” you can’t help but smile. When he describes a primitive lighting system but then adds “we did have gels – we weren’t ANIMALS” I let out a good belly laugh.
Daisey talks about how those of us who love theatre would like to view it as something nobel and pure. On the other hand, even when you see the flaws in a loved one and still love that person, I think it’s a sign of maturity.
Daisey is short on solutions other than to challenge the young people in the audience to carry forward with passion and intelligence to overcome how our generation has failed by selling out. If that call to arms energizes younger theatregoers, terrific. When I look at contemporary theatre, though, I still see much worthy of admiration and pride, including this show.

]]> By: Sara http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/01/08/how-theater-failed-america/comment-page-1/#comment-7004 Sara Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:50:06 +0000 http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=3540#comment-7004 On a somewhat separate issue, why on earth do a show that's nearly two hours long with NO INTERMISSION? I saw Daisey's last show here in DC -- "If You See Something Say Something" -- which was also an intermissionless performance. Kudos to Daisey for having the stamina, but as an audience member I need a break after an hour and ten, seriously. On a somewhat separate issue, why on earth do a show that’s nearly two hours long with NO INTERMISSION? I saw Daisey’s last show here in DC — “If You See Something Say Something” — which was also an intermissionless performance.

Kudos to Daisey for having the stamina, but as an audience member I need a break after an hour and ten, seriously.

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