Apparently my harsh review of the Williamstown Theatre Festival's newest production TEN CENTS A DANCE (and its season in general) has inspired some sharply divided criticism of my own work. It has, thus far, inspired a phone call from the same named person(s) who have e-mailed me their reactions. I felt it important to share with my readers other people's sentiments in this manner. I have added my own commentary beneath each of these e-mails.
As always, I encourage the public to see for themselves, judge for themselves. In the case of this particular show (I have quoted the entire PR push for this show as delivered to us all by the theater for contrast within the review itself) I believe that spending $68 for a ticket is being held up in the lobby at gunpoint. You decide if you want to spend the money. You decide if the price of a ticket was worth it.
I understand that an article in the NY Times yesterday (8/29) indicated that the Princeton/McCarter production of the show would open without Malcolm Gets who has been replaced. Let me just say that Malcolm Gets was not the problem.
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Thought you would like this, Peter.
Rebecca
---- Original Message ----
From: calabrom@optonline.net
To: news@advocateweekly.com
Subject: great review of "Ten Cents a Dance"
Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2011 20:59:14 -0400
Belated thanks for having the guts to print Peter Bergman's
totally-on-target review of "Ten Cents a Dance" in your August 18
issue. As first-time visitors to the Williamstown Theater Festival, my husband
and I had bought tickets far in advance and made the show a centerpiece of
our Berkshires getaway. Like your reviewer, we winced to witness such a
waste of talent. The review, which we read the next morning, was cathartic. It
pinpointed everything about the show that made it so painful to watch.
It's never easy for a publication to print a review that criticizes an
advertiser, but your honesty works in your favor.
We'll certainly return to your beautiful area, where we enjoyed lovely
lodgings and meals, but we hope that next year will offer better WTF
productions.
Best regards,
Marian Calabro
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
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RECEIVED SATURDAY, AUGUST 20
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Comments: Dear Mr. Bergman,
Your review of Ten Cents a Dance was dead accurate. I felt deceived by the
theater and most disappointed by the cheapness and tone of the show. My sisters
and I thankfully walked out after 15 minutes. I am ASTOUNDED by the good reviews
and wonder what the world is coming to! Thank god for your voice of reason!
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RECEIVED WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17
Peter,
I loved it! Hilarious!
Winnie
FROM MY EDITOR AT EDGE.COM WHO POSTED THE ENTIRE REVIEW WITHOUT CUTS BUT WITH A PHOTOGRAPH FOR 400,000 TO READ.
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RECEIVED TUESDAY, AUGUST 16
First Name: Dworkin
Last Name: Susan
Address Line 1: P.O. Box 207
City: Becket
State: MA
Zip Code: 01223
Daytime Phone:
E-mail Address: 413-429-7457
Comments: Bravo, Mr. Bergman! Great review! Four of us went to see Ten Cents a
Dance and marveled all the way home at how anyone could take such great songs
and squeeze the life out of them so thoroughly. You are entitled to your rage.
It is ours as well.
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RECEIVED SATURDAY, AUGUST 13
First Name: Anonymous
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Comments: I found your review of Ten Cents a Dance to be highly unprofessional.
It's one thing if you didn't like the show, but your negativity throughout the
review stank of both bias and ignorance. Good day.
THIS IS THE LEAST PERSONAL ATTACK OF THE BUNCH SO FAR. AT LEAST THE ANONYMOUS CRITIC HAD THE GOOD GRACE TO WISH ME A 'GOOD DAY.' THANKS ANONYMOUS. NEXT TIME SIGN YOUR NAME. I ALWAYS DO.
RECEIVED SATURDAY, AUGUST 13
First Name: Anonymous
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Comments: The beauty of theatre is that it is subjective. We all get to have
different opinions, and that's ok. The writer of this article clearly is
immature an inexperienced. Seriously, to say that people would commit suicide
after seeing this show? That is offensive and completely unnecessary. At least
treat people like adults enough to respect other opinions. To tell someone in
front of you to sit down because you personally hated the show? Really? Get over
yourself.
THIS PERSON, ALSO ANONYMOUS, ACCUSES ME OF BEING INEXPERIENCED. I HAVE BEEN WRITING THEATER CRITICISM SINCE 1962 AND ATTENDING THEATER - MOSTLY IN NEW YORK CITY - SINCE 1950. I HAVE ALSO BEEN ACTIVE IN THE THEATER AS AN ACTOR, DIRECTOR, DESIGNER AND AUTHOR SINCE JUST ABOUT THE SAME TIME AS THE ABOVE. HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE DOES IT TAKE TO RECOGNIZE BAD THEATER? YOU TELL ME, ANONYMOUS. AND, AGAIN, NEXT TIME SIGN YOUR NAME. I ALWAYS DO.
RECEIVED SATURDAY, AUGUST 13
First Name: Anonymous
Last Name: TheatreGoer
Address Line 1: Dnm
City: Berkshire County
State: MA
Zip Code: 01240
Daytime Phone:
E-mail Address:
Comments: This is atrocious. I cannot believe how disgustingly rude and
offensive Peter Bergman is. The last few sentences of this post (mentioning
suicide among students) are simply unacceptable. This should be removed and
replaced with an apology from the author for this incredibly unprofessional
post.
NO APOLOGIES DEMANDED BY PEOPLE WHO CANNOT BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO SIGN THEIR OWN NAMES WILL BE OFFERED. THIS IS A VERY, VERY BAD SHOW THAT DEMEANS ITS SOURCE MATERIAL AND DOES MUCH THE SAME TO ITS STARS. NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT IT PUTS ITS AUDIENCE IN A POOR LIGHT, PROMOTING ONE TYPE OF THEATRICAL ENDEAVOR WHILE THROWING A DIFFERENT WORK IN THEIR FACES AFTER THEY'VE PAID FOR THEIR TICKETS. NEED I ADD: NEXT TIME SIGN YOUR NAME. I ALWAYS DO.
RECEIVED SATURDAY, AUGUST 13
Oh my God I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. Thanks!
THIS COMMENT FROM ONE OF MY EDITORS (I HAVE FIVE, FOR I AM SYNDICATED TO ABOUT 430,000 READERS A WEEK, NATIONALLY).
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