What others had to say*

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Pleasing the Masses
Holly, Wednesday, January 24th, 2007
I have to chime in here as a frequent Musicalfare attendee. I absolutely disagree that Musicalfare's main priority should be pleasing the masses. I find that this is a frightening concept from an artistic point of view. Ayn Rand must be rolling over in her grave. If pleasing the masses were the … more main goal, there were be no experimental theater at all and we'd all be watching "CATS." (Still). This may be the goal in commercial theater (hence, CATS is the longest running show on Broadway, and "Tony and Tina's Wedding" draws huge crowds nationwide), but it shouldn't be the goal of artistic theater. Pleasing the masses would effectively have done away with: Impressionist art (they were ridiculed at the time); plays by Bertoldt Brecht (Mother Courage, anyone?); ANYTHING by Phillip Glass (even the South Park episode--not to mention Einstein on the Beach); and most of Edward Albee's work (in love with a GOAT?). Martha Graham would be unknown, as would William Forsythe. There'd be no Avenue Q (dirty puppets on Broadway??). I, for one, am glad that MF was willing to take a chance on this production. It's intense and lovely. It it's a little long, then it's a little long (like my comment!! sorry.) and people can "vote with their feet." (and the director can cut it down a littl) but PLEASE bring us more of this, and not "The Pajama Game." I can't afford to fly to NYC to see daring theater and dance. Thanks for bringing it here.

Striking a nerve
Jodi Harris, Wednesday, January 24th, 2007
It's funny. The reason I mentioned in my first "post a comment" about the audience not being as dumb as you might think and being dismissed was a product of me trying to wrap up such a long post. I'm sorry if it came across more harshly than intended. Of course it's not imerative that everyone must … more like the show. That would be silly, impossible and, by the way, something I never suggested. I posed a question in asking who are you striving to entertain, the majority or minority. Is the show being attended well? Is your audience enjoying themselves? Are people walking out early? Don't these things matter? I know, of course, that they do.You're number one goal should be to try your best to please the majority (there's that word again)of your patrons

Michael Walline, director, Monday, January 22nd, 2007
Jody- Thank you for your comments. The last thing I want to do is dismiss anyone's opinions or comments on the show. Without the audience, I would never have been able to re-evaluate my show and determine where the best cuts would be to make it more enjoyable for you, the audience. We shaved off … more more than 17 minutes of the show and have made it a cleaner, more effective piece of theatre. You got right to the heart of the show by saying it is about conflict, which it precisely is about. I don't consider this a show as much as it is a journey. Everyone is in a "box" in one way or another, and to see someone's journey to conquer something so emotionally deep that she does is, I hope, compelling. The joy of theatre is like the joy of movies- there are different types for everyone. To make a comparison, I think of this theatre piece as an "art-house" movie, which some will truly enjoy, and others will just not like it. I am very happy that you came to Musicalfare to see our show, and I am pleased to know of your opinion of our final work. And thank you for the recognition of the musicians and Loraine- their work was amazing, as was everyone elses.

Jodi's comments
Randy Kramer, Artistic/Executive Director, Monday, January 22nd, 2007
Jodi - thank you for your comments. Once again, we welcome ALL reactions to FAMILIAR STRANGERS. Just two quick points in reaction to your post: I don't think our theatre patrons are dumb and no one was dismissed on this venture. That would be an elitist and condescending attitude that I would never … more condone. This is a world premiere musical created from a very personal point of view. Is it imperative that everyone like it? Is that even possible? Of course not. The choice of shows in our season is always a mix of commercial and less commercial ventures. I like to think that's one of the things that keeps MusicalFare interesting... Jodi, I hope you will consider attending MusicalFare again. Regardless of whether your future experience is positive or negative, I guarantee you it will never be mundane or predictable.

Familiar Strangers
Jodi Harris, Monday, January 22nd, 2007
First of all, I would like to say that it is a wonderful idea for Musicalfare to have this "post a comment" section. It's nice to read stuff from regular folk like myself. I had the good fortune to catch last Saturday night's show. My friend had an extra ticket and asked me to tag along. I jumped … more at it. I hesitate to be negative, because, after all, I attended for free. Then I got to thinking...why not? My opinion is my opinion. There is no denying that the talent involved in creating and performing this piece is very good. The problem I had was that the production took too long to get where it needed to go...and needlessly. The show's cental conflict (which really isn't a universally weighty enough conflict for 2 1/2 hours) could and probably should have been told in about a half hour less that it was told. This is the idea right? Tell the story as clean and clear as can be. I got the impression that everyone was so pleased with all the cool things that they had to do that they lost site of entertaining the majority of the audience (atleast on the night I went). There were a considerable amount of people fidgiting and looking around at eachother wondering if they were alone in their boredom. Regetfully, I was one. In reading the Director's comment on this page, I got the impression that he dimissed the comments made by another patron (Sue) and spent his time defending his choices vs really looking objectively at his own work. I'm sure that can't be an easy thing to do. In Sue's defense (even thought songs were in different keys)it all seemed to have the same feel. This quiet easy going folksy feel that lulled you to think "Is the whole show gonna sound like this, nah, it can't be" Well to my surprise it did. Not to say that the songs weren't performed well...they most definately were. Here's an analogy..would you want to see a 2 1/2 hour version of a show with music by Yanni...or Enya? I'm sure some people would, but who are you trying to entertain, the minority or majority? I guess the big question is How well attended is this show? If it's doing great,then disregard Sue's and my negativity, and chalk it up to only two who felt similarly. If it's not being attended well?..Well, maybe the regular theatre going crowd isn't as dumb as you might believe, so maybe they shouldn't be dismissed on the next venture. I wish Musicalfare much sucess in the future. Thank you for your time.

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*MusicalFare Theatre welcomes your comments and/or questions about our productions, whether positive or negative.

However, please note that all comments or questions are subject to review by MusicalFare’s staff before appearing on our website. As this is not a blog about the company itself, we ask that comments or questions be used to express your overall, general feelings about the production and the performances, therein. Keeping that in mind, please understand that comments that directly insult or demean any individual involved in the production will not be posted.

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