http://www.artscriticatl.com/2009/11/theater-review-audiences-sour-on-a-life-in-the-theatre-at-atlantas-alliance/ Reviews and news about the arts in Atlanta Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:29:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://www.artscriticatl.com/2009/11/theater-review-audiences-sour-on-a-life-in-the-theatre-at-atlantas-alliance/comment-page-1/#comment-105 Ann-Carol Pence, Associate Producer, Aurora Theatre Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:12:53 +0000 http://www.artscriticatl.com/indextest.php/2009/11/09/theater-review-audiences-sour-on-a-life-in-the-theatre-at-atlantas-alliance/#comment-105 For me, the show in no way portrayed actors the way most of them actually are. This director made the older actor pathetic and the younger actor an opportunist. Both actors were incapable of making their entrances much less analyzing a script. The vast majority of actors I know work way too hard for far less than they deserve in order to give the world (or our little part of it) the best possible evening of entertainment. I blame the director for most of the problems in the show. I know both actors were sent down the "wrong path." The best example of that thorny path was at the end of the show when the older actor emerges from the shower in his underwear. I can only suppose that at some point in the rehearsal process the director thought it would be great if there was some nudity. This shower scene was nowhere in the script. The way an audience member can deduce that is the fact that Mamet uses the word "basin" -- as in "sink." Leaving certain elements "up to interpretation" is valid, but a director should make sure his ideas are rooted in the text. I am lucky to spend time with smart actors that make me think about life in a different way.They are capable of making choices in their characters that are interesting and, at times, even profound. They are able to sing beautifully, soliloquize brilliantly and fill a stage with their personalities. I am grateful every time an actor enters our theatre. They are the gift we give our audience. Our patrons have come to expect great stories told by gifted storytellers. If we portray actors as less than brilliant, then those same patrons have one more excuse to devalue what we do. In this economy, people don't need any more excuses to NOT support the work we are ALL trying to do. For me, the show in no way portrayed actors the way most of them actually are. This director made the older actor pathetic and the younger actor an opportunist. Both actors were incapable of making their entrances much less analyzing a script. The vast majority of actors I know work way too hard for far less than they deserve in order to give the world (or our little part of it) the best possible evening of entertainment.
I blame the director for most of the problems in the show. I know both actors were sent down the “wrong path.” The best example of that thorny path was at the end of the show when the older actor emerges from the shower in his underwear. I can only suppose that at some point in the rehearsal process the director thought it would be great if there was some nudity. This shower scene was nowhere in the script. The way an audience member can deduce that is the fact that Mamet uses the word “basin” — as in “sink.” Leaving certain elements “up to interpretation” is valid, but a director should make sure his ideas are rooted in the text.
I am lucky to spend time with smart actors that make me think about life in a different way.They are capable of making choices in their characters that are interesting and, at times, even profound. They are able to sing beautifully, soliloquize brilliantly and fill a stage with their personalities.
I am grateful every time an actor enters our theatre. They are the gift we give our audience. Our patrons have come to expect great stories told by gifted storytellers. If we portray actors as less than brilliant, then those same patrons have one more excuse to devalue what we do. In this economy, people don’t need any more excuses to NOT support the work we are ALL trying to do.

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