Mailbag--Where Do You Get Off?

Question: Where do you get off?

That depends on if I'm picking up the little one before going home, or if the wife is--or if I'm heading to a rehearsal or a show. (Seeing Fatboy tonight.) If you're speaking in a more pejorative sense, I'm many things. I'm passionate, intelligent, confident, caring, honest, hopeful and loyal. I'm also opinionated, idealistic, stubborn, vocal, have little sympathy for whining and have high expectations/standards. For better or worse, I make no qualms about where I stand on much of any thing. I'm not always correct, nor perfect. I tend to be firm but fair. I prefer strength over weakness and humility over hypocrisy. Don't much like long walks, but I do like the beach. If you really care, I'd encourage you to hang out and read what you will. On the sidebar are links to some of my most frequent topics. You can decide for yourself. (And I'm sure my beautiful wife will correct me if I'm wrong, she's good at keeping me in check like that)

Question: I was told about your insults toward me on your blog. I read what you posted. I am trying to understand why you would run a theatre company and then insult reviewers? What do you gain from doing that? --Tom Williams

Probably worth noting that what I write on my blog is not necessarily the views of Halcyon Theatre. It is not accidental I have a blog separate from Halcyon's.

I will begin with a question. How is my critiquing reviews online different from your reviewing shows online?

I stand by what I wrote. The review in question was, in my judgment, poorly written and not a good example of criticism. If you feel insulted by my critique that is your right. I did not insult you. I commented on what I felt was a poorly written review. Feel free to disagree.

Any critic unable to withstand having their work critiqued, should not be critiquing other's work in a public arena. I would say the same about artists. If one is unable to hear any criticism, they should not be performing in public.

If you are referring to the preface as being an insult, than again, that is your right. But know, there are still people who do not feel you should be included in a list of critics, due to past events. I think to not include you would have been an insult. However, if inclusion is the case--I hold you to the same high standards I would any other critic. Bad criticism is bad for the theatre, just as bad shows are.

I am not beholden to critics, in my work, or in my writing. I do have a tremendous respect for critics and the role their writing can and should play in theatre. There is little discussion about contemporary criticism and I feel theatre as a whole suffers from this. A greater understanding of the role of criticism and fostering conversation is what I hope to gain, especially in our era of ever shrinking coverage. Please note: I also single out what in my opinion is the best of criticism and writing about theatre.

If you wish to read more of my thoughts, I would invite you to look through the posts on my blog. Especially those on the sidebar. If you click on the links under "Getting Critical" or "WTF is Art?" (A tongue in cheek title) you can see my thoughts more clearly.


His Response: My question isn't about your insults, it is about why you bother to critique critics when you are a well know(n) artistic director? How can taking shots at reviewers do anything but hurt you? What is the upside of that?

I personally don't care what you say or think. I have established myself as a "theatre friendly" reviewer. Last year I reviewed over 300 shows (for the 3rd year in a row) and I think I "not recommended" only 17 of 312. I am only the messenger.

I wear many hats. Being an Artistic Director is but one. I don't feel that disqualifies me from writing about criticism, any more than a critic should be automatically disqualified from creating art. Conversation is a good thing for theatre. That cannot happen if one side remains silent. I could cower in fear of the almighty critics. What kind of artist, or leader of a company would that make me? More importantly what kind of a father would that make me if that was the behavior my son learned from me?

I'm actually a stronger defender of the role of critics than anyone I know, and choose engagement over cowardice. It may come back to bite me in the ass. But so could silence. And to be fair, whether you agree with me or not, I'm not simply taking pot shots at critics.

If anyone has any questions they'd like to send in, email them to me at raskolnikovj AT gmail DOT com. And remember: there are no stupid questions. Only stupid people who ask questions.