tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13593902.post4202699346017404367..comments2024-02-11T09:55:50.468-08:00Comments on The Eastside View: The Tenth Muse; A Midsummer Night's DreamCharles Sherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10480432901356490235noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13593902.post-83577524085157740352013-09-22T18:32:56.392-07:002013-09-22T18:32:56.392-07:00Is there anything worse than bad theater? I think ...Is there anything worse than bad theater? I think the fear of it has kept me away from many great productions over the years, but there are only so many times you can stumble out of a theater in the middle of a performance without looking like a rude, crazy person.<br /><br />My personal standard is probably a little too high, but can be boiled down to this: "If I could be acting or directing this better than what I'm seeing (and I'm a barely mediocre actor/director who knows the difference), then I'm probably going to want to get out of there." It's why I usually feel safe going to the theater in New York. Even when a play or production or performance isn't particularly good, there are almost always compensations in at least some of the departments. <br /><br />Another thing I've noticed is that black American actors in New York Shakespeare productions, at least the ones I've seen in Public Theatre shows over the years, usually have the best diction and are the most articulate reciters of poetry in the cast. No idea why this is so, but it's always been the case in my experience. So to hear that the Ashland Festival indulges in "broad Black American accents" with its black actors is disheartening. And you're right, it's disrespectful.Civic Centerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12362422142667230626noreply@blogger.com