Imagine my surprise to see a really poignant post on Rocky reviews from a cast member in the comments of another post. I thought since it was a pretty good point that it deserves a little bit more recognition.
First off, a little context ... the T.H.E.M. cast has had some issues with the fact that someone is critiquing the shows. I'm sure it doesn't help much that I've not had a ton of great things to say about their show, also. Were I a more diplomatic person, I'd think of something really diplomatic to write instead. But much like the cast goes to have a good time ... so does the audience. And when I write a review, I keep that sense of humor in the forefront. Nevertheless, not everyone is going to get that, see that, or care for that. Such is life.
The latest round has been set off by the notion that I'm running off cast members who simply cannot stand scathing remarks which I obviously post because a) I'm better than they are and b) I like to tear people down emotionally. Now see, kids ... that's sarcasm right there. I fail to see how I, the proud owner of a truck that will soon be able to vote, can go around with my nose in the air towards anyone. Likewise, I gain no amusement from thinking that I might send someone home to cry about the fate they've been dealt in life.
Still, when I made the request for input from cast members who have felt the need to leave the cast based on my treatment of them, I have gotten all of one ... ONE response. That's quite a stretch from the 7-8 that have been pinned on me.
So it is that Charles tries to educate me on the nature of a show I've been witness to almost nonstop now for about 15 months. That's by no means the longest stretch of time among those involved in Rocky, but as far as audience members go ... its up there. Here's what Charles had to say:
Let me start of with this first. I am speaking strictly for myself and what I say in no way reflects the opinions of the THEM cast or their cast directors. What I have to say is screw the both of you. Greg, it's pretty low of you to print e-mails on your web site. If someone wants a message to you to be public, they will print it on your "almighty" website such as I am doing now. And as for your opinions on Myke, well, who really cares what you think? Myke rules! You see Greg, your opinion would count much more if you had ever proven yourself on a stage. Let me give you an example from someone we all know. The Amazing Randy. He kicks ass. We know this, everyone knows this. He has shown that he kicks ass. Therefore if he ever came to me with an opinion or criticism I'd probably listen. That is as opposed to some thirtysomething guy who likes to come to the show to lear at eighteen year old girls.So when it comes to your question Greg, "What is it about Rocky?" You'd probably be the best to answer it considering you spend so much time on the net devoted to it. You see, during the week, I hardly ever think about Rocky. I'm too busy...well...working and having a life. For me Rocky is a chance to get together with my friends, get up in front of people and make a few laugh (granted I bomb more often than not) and I get to yell "Fuck" in a theater. Rock On! I'm a musician, not an actor. I have no plans on becoming an actor. I'm just there to have a good time, like all of us. Sure, sometimes things don't get done...Rocky bags don't get made, websites don't get updated, costumes don't get cleaned (we can all smell when that happens)... but that's all because we have lives during the week.
So Greg, if you abhor our show so much, go ahead and go to Webster. On the other hand, if you want to keep coming back, that's cool, we can always use your 7.50. Either way enjoy Rocky for what it is, a cathartic end to the week and a way to kick back with friends.
And as for you and Ulysses, leave the cast directors alone. Jenni desreves more credit than she gets for the things she does, and she balances her jobs and school on top of all that. Rocky may not be her top priority (and I'll feel sorry for anyone for whom it is), but that just shows that she's an adult who has more important things to do with her life than little piddly spats over the internet. Luckily for you, I had nothing better to do this Friday night. So for both of you getting on Jenni's case, I deliver to you a hearty "fuck off."
Enter the beloved Kassi. Well, she's beloved by me obviously as I've been a large part of the Kassi Fan Club, but I know for a fact that I'm not alone & I'm not just talking about her fiance (another fine Rocky talent in his own right).
Charles. your point would be valid if public shows were meant to be seen by performers only. But they are not, they are meant to be paid for by an audience. They are meant to entertain an audience. Therefore, someone who has performed onstage has the LEAST ability to judge a show because they can no longer see it from the viewpoint of an audience.. they know too much of what goes into it and notice things an audience never would. If I go by your logic then if you go to a restaurant and say that the food is awful, my reply is "you can not get your money back because you have never cooked before, i'm sorry, but because of this your opinion just doesn't count."
I know I could say those same very words (and infact, may have at some point), but they carry a lot more validity from Kassi. While I hesitate to put words in others' mouths, I likewise know that similar sentiments have been expressed by others involved in Rocky.
I'll respectfully disagree on one count that Kassi makes, though. That someone who's cast cannot review the show with the same type of objectivity. On average, that point may be valid. But there are a few souls out there who have and would get an open invite should they care to share their insight into a Rocky performance. I know if Jim wanted to do so ... all he has to do is say the word. While Jef & I have our sources of disagreement, I've got enough respect for his judgement regarding the show to do the same. If I want a lighthearted take on the show, Uber is always an email away. And if I want to just mess with everyone's heads during the show, I'll have Mina do a review ... SOBER! To be sure, there's more. But it takes a certain breed who can say something beyond: "Everyone did great." Nevertheless, one tip of the hat to Kassi.
Sidenote: In case anyone's concerned about objectivity here, its worth noting that I've had plenty of bad reviews for Kassi. I believe they all involved her early portrayals of Crim when she was either sick, forced to work lights in addition, and/or not planning on being cast for that show.
10 Comments
"...(granted I bomb more often than not)"
Based on the utter sincerity of the rest of his post, I'm going to absolutely take Charles' word for this.
I feel their audience's pain......
I know I never really come here, but I'm not able to sleep, and still don't feel like thinking enough to write an e-mail fer you. (Cut me some slack, 8 hours overnight in a shack will get anyone braindead) Charles' opinions could work, granted a cast memeber would notice all the little good things an audience member wouldn't, but wouldn't they also notice all the little bad things an audience member wouldn't?
And, as for the webpage, I'm gonna see about taking over the webmaster duties, I'm online all Sunday night (Working at night'll do that to you), so I could update weekly. There's one of your pressing concerns taken care of.
A) But didn't I run you out of the cast ;-)
II) Kudos to you for taking up webslave duties. I'll be sure to send all hatemail directly to you regarding typos, factual inaccuracies, and not having enough pics of Jackie online. Feel free to respond in kind as I make enough posts at 4AM to run the gamut of typos, though.
3) There's nothing inate that says a cast member will see all the good and an audience member will see all the bad. Just depends on the person doing the review. Nothing more, nothing less. Some people are brown nosers, some are pollyannas, some are vile evil people who hate everyone, and some of us have more of a Statler & Waldorf thing working. Yay Muppets!!!
Doh ho ho ho ho ho.
I bought a ticket for the best seat in town. It's for the first plane outta here!
Doh ho ho ho ho ho.
Myke, what i mean by noticing things the audience never would are things like cutting slack on the fact that a cast member is sick/was thrown in/had extra crew duties to go along with the performance. Things the audience does not take into consideration because they don't know its going on! Most likely they wouldn't care either. If I get bad service somewhere, i don't care if the waiter just went through a divorce, his job is based on customer service.
And yes you are right that a cast member would also notice the bad. I am VERY nitpicky, i'd hate to know what would happen if I could see myself perform. On the other hand, as a cast member, sometimes I am prone to thinking things like "well, so and so just can not stop looking at the screen... but i guess since he never expected to play that part before its okay this time."
You also have a point in listening to Randy. I would take my performance tips from someone who has performed(they know the stage area, etc), but i'd rather gauge my effectiveness by my audience's response. I would never completely change my style of performing because of greg's opinion, but i might take note of a few things i didn't realize i was doing before or of whether or not I was conveying what i meant to convey in the role.
Greg, I'd love to see cast member reviews. I also highly value Jim's input on performances. He really pays attention to everything when he critiques somebody and gives pretty worthwhile advice.
If you beleive that only THEM has received Greg's harsh words see "Sadistic Pleasures-James" "Beautiful Creatures- Jef" "Beautiful Creatures- Jim" (F!) "Riff- David Z" "Beautiful Creatures-Frank- David Z" "Beautiful Creatures- Shorty" "Beautiful Creatures- Stephanie" and the Lynda wars. Anyone who can give you their honest opinions about your performance is going to piss a few people off, but remember there's more than one critic in the audience and you can never get away from them all.
Jeez, did I knock David as Riff before last week??? In my own defense, though ... my prior low marks for some of Jim's performances were for the sole fact that he was doing exactly what THEM does, although THEM does so on a seemingly global scale. I also noted my regrets for doing so because it was crystal clear from day one that Jim could act his way out of a paper bag, blindfolded, handcuffed, and covered in duct tape. He's just that good.
Note to self: Bug the crap out of Jim to play Frank again someday. I've still not seen that, and it kills me.
Outside of that, I think Kassi's pretty much summed up the whole Greg/Rocky experience perfectly and succintly. I'll even add that should Myke perform the character moreso than the call lines, he could probably be among the better Brads out there. So there's something to shoot for.
I'm blushing.
And to points you both made: I may occasionally still throw out a line while playing, but far, far less frequently. And if you think about it, it's been since Greg started calling me out on that. I've scaled back dramatically if not completely. Fact is, he's right: it degrades my perfomance and I think I'm finding the character better now than the past year. Compare my shows last month to some late RO performances and I think the difference is clear.
Sometimes audience input is a good thing. Who knew?!!!
Jeez, I just had to go back and check the early reviews I gave Jim to see exactly what I said. I had thought I cracked on Jim later on, but here it is in black & white:
I had feared I wasn't as bipolar as I thought I was when I started knocking Jim but I knew somewhere along the way, I had commented that if he'd just stop doing call lines, he'd be far more entertaining. Who knew I was so eloquent, though? In hindsight, its funny reading the first review, though. "Jim hasn't shown that he can fade into the background..." Makes even me wince reading that, now that I know more about Jim's background with Rocky. Live & learn, I guess. Now about your next performance as Frank, Jim .....
Nice blog
Well, as long as someone brought this thread back to life, I feel compelled to make you aware of the following:
"Note to self: Bug the crap out of Jim to play Frank again someday. I've still not seen that, and it kills me."
I am playing Frank this weekend (May 10th).