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[ChasSmith]

I'll do the honors.

Six.

[Jeanne]

Sorry about the loss of your friend, Larry. I can understand your pain. I hope that in time it's resolved.

[Charles Pogue]

The Lovely Wife and I, upon returning to Kentucky and getting involved with a burgeoning professional theatre company here, saw a lot of the area's theatre.  A lot of it was nonprofessional community theatre...something I hadn't seen any of since leaving Kentucky 30-odd years befor... we also saw the university and college theatre. But since I was a board member of my theatre and the unofficial right hand man of the Artistic Director, I felt it an obligatory, ambassadorial mission for me to familiatrize myself with the local talent and theatre scene.  And, over the years, several of these people became colleagues and friends.  We saw a lot of theatre...much of it lousy...but we knew our appearance at any theatre was looked on as a big deal, whether people liked us, hated us, or, as was often the case, simply jealously feared us.  We were always gracious and always tried to find something encouraging to say afterwards.  We always stayed through till the end of a show, but we always didn't wait around afterward.  But the fact was we saw more theatre in that town than anyone else did.  We saw the shows of people who never saw either mine or The Lovely Wife's shows or the shows of our theatre.  We supported the community's theatre with our presence and our ticket purchases.  I didn't feel I had to always hang around and say something nice.  Since the theatre's demise during the financial crunch, I don't feel obligated to see as much local theatre as we once did.  Most of my theatre going is now done in Cincinnati at professional venues where I feel I get more value for my money.  But I still feel the obligation to see friends' shows here and support educational theatre.  When trapped after a show I didn't really like, I find something polite and encouraging about the show.But I try not to outright lie, as I am a bad liar.  I'm also sure it is evident when I didn't like something.  A few of these people I know well enough that I can be honest with them.  And even though we've cut back, we still see more theatre in the area than anyone else and that should count for something.  I shouldn't have to delude people with false praise.  They get enough of that from grandma and a claque of undiscrimmating friends.

[Jeanne]

A post was made here today that I could not disagree with more. It was not directed at me, but I'll answer personally, as I am not trying to speak for anyone else.

I truly enjoyed THE BRAIN FROM PLANET X, even though I'm sure that many of the sci-fi references were lost on me. I love Bruce's songwriting, but I like some of his work better than others. That's perfectly natural. I would NOT say that that is not being supportive of Bruce. With ANY composer, any artist, some works will resonate more than others. I've yet to meet any artist who didn't feel that way.

[Charles Pogue]

I think because DR Jane and I are not creative types we see things differently. Also we are both nice people who do not like to hurt other people's feelings. But we are both pretty honest people who dislike lying.

I see things pretty much the same way she described it.

But because we have not written musicals/performed.... we do not see things the same way some of you who do these things do.

If I saw DR PennyO perform and thought the show was terrible I would probably not say I thought it was great. But I would try to find something complimentary to say.

The thing in question here though is when you specifically ask for an opinion. I don't think you should ask unless you want to hear the truth. But that is just my opinion.

I agree with this completely.  If you've solicited an opinion, you're going to get an honest one from me.  If someone asks me to read and critique their writing (something I usually don't do, except in very special cases), my only caveat is that I will be brutually honest and mince no words.  I don't have patience with people who solicit an opinion who don't really want one but are merely looking for a pat on the back.  And, as professional, whether it be writing or the theatre, it takes time and considerable thought to come up with a serious critique about how and why something either works or doesn't.  I don't take the task lightly and so for someone to be offended after they've asked for it is, to me, the height of hypocrisy or dilletantism.

You and Jane don't see things differently from me.  If you don't want honesty, don't ask me.

[Charles Pogue]

Here's a link to an article by my pal, screenwriter Josh Olson about why professionals in the drama game are reluctant to give critiques.  It was something of an internet sensation when he ffirst wrote it, loved by professionals; hated by amateurs....It's called I WILL NOT READ YOUR FUCKING SCRIPT.

http://www.deadline.com/2009/09/why-he-will-not-read-your-fucking-script/

[John G.]

Euan Morton is very good in the new Outside the Box episode.  I'm surprised someone hasn't tried a musical version of "Taxi Driver" already.  The episodes on the new site are slower and jerky compared to Youtube, but I'm glad it gets you the requisite views.  I watched a few of  last season's episodes on both sites and Youtube was far better for whatever reason.  Not being technical, I have no idea why there is a difference (but it's kind of like dial-up compared to cable).

Most don't have issues with Broadway World's videos, but older computers occasionally do.

I have a new computer, and I had trouble, but with it being Cyber Monday weekend, I just chalked it up to really heavy Internet usage.

[John G.]

Hello, everyone.

Yes, that's a great photo, DR Doug. Thanks for posting it.

It is a great photo.

[John G.]

Feel-better vibes for DR Jane.

[bk]

Taxi Driver is still powerful today (and its ending is still hard to watch), but it's worth watching just as a time capsule to see what the real New York and Times Square was like.

Do you plan to do more modern parodies? Just curious.

I'd like to but the fact is there aren't many modern things that appeal to me, but the real problem is they're actually turning these dreadful movies into musicals - things that are just totally wrong as musicals.  At one point in season two we were thinking about The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and I even wrote a really fun opening number for it - we'll see if that one makes season three.

[bk]

A post was made here today that I could not disagree with more. It was not directed at me, but I'll answer personally, as I am not trying to speak for anyone else.

I truly enjoyed THE BRAIN FROM PLANET X, even though I'm sure that many of the sci-fi references were lost on me. I love Bruce's songwriting, but I like some of his work better than others. That's perfectly natural. I would NOT say that that is not being supportive of Bruce. With ANY composer, any artist, some works will resonate more than others. I've yet to meet any artist who didn't feel that way.

Of course but I don't think that's what this is about.

[Cillaliz]

I think because DR Jane and I are not creative types we see things differently. Also we are both nice people who do not like to hurt other people's feelings. But we are both pretty honest people who dislike lying.

I see things pretty much the same way she described it.

But because we have not written musicals/performed.... we do not see things the same way some of you who do these things do.

If I saw DR PennyO perform and thought the show was terrible I would probably not say I thought it was great. But I would try to find something complimentary to say.

The thing in question here though is when you specifically ask for an opinion. I don't think you should ask unless you want to hear the truth. But that is just my opinion.

I agree with this completely.  If you've solicited an opinion, you're going to get an honest one from me.  If someone asks me to read and critique their writing (something I usually don't do, except in very special cases), my only caveat is that I will be brutually honest and mince no words.  I don't have patience with people who solicit an opinion who don't really want one but are merely looking for a pat on the back.  And, as professional, whether it be writing or the theatre, it takes time and considerable thought to come up with a serious critique about how and why something either works or doesn't.  I don't take the task lightly and so for someone to be offended after they've asked for it is, to me, the height of hypocrisy or dilletantism.

You and Jane don't see things differently from me.  If you don't want honesty, don't ask me.

I agree with all of you.  If I see a show, watch a trial or see friends works of art at a show and I see the friend I will find something nice to say, but I won't say I love it if I don't.  On the other hand when someone specifically asks what I think about a certain painting they created, a show they were in  or an argument they made in the courtroom, I'll tell them the truth.  My feeling is if you ask me you are interested in my opinion.  That's how I am.  If I want an opinion, I know it won't always be positive, but if I ask for it I want the truth. 

I'm really finding this whole conversatin quite off putting. 

[bk]

I think because DR Jane and I are not creative types we see things differently. Also we are both nice people who do not like to hurt other people's feelings. But we are both pretty honest people who dislike lying.

I see things pretty much the same way she described it.

But because we have not written musicals/performed.... we do not see things the same way some of you who do these things do.

If I saw DR PennyO perform and thought the show was terrible I would probably not say I thought it was great. But I would try to find something complimentary to say.

The thing in question here though is when you specifically ask for an opinion. I don't think you should ask unless you want to hear the truth. But that is just my opinion.

But what if PennyO said, "did you like the show?" as most performers would.  You would find something courteous to say, I'm sure.  I keep saying, a simple "Good job" or "fun" is fine - whatever.  That's just being nice and I see no reason to be otherwise, especially when other people are around.  If I read something of Pogue's and hated it, I would never say that - ever.  That's just not good, if you ask me.  I'd say "This didn't work for me - good writing, but here's why it didn't work for me."  I just find to approach things from a positive point of view is best.  But mainly I'm speaking about what you say to someone in a public situation (and this board is public) - silence, to me, is not the way, it's not gracious, and not just about my stuff but about any stuff people are posting about.  If someone hates Druxy's latest audio book my guess is that most here would still say "Nice."  How hard is that?  Druxy is not looking for critiques - that can be done privately if anyone felt the need.  Anyway, good posts from all sides of the coin.

[bk]

And what exactly is off-putting, Cilla?  People expressing different opinions?  I like it.  I like hearing from all sides, and who knows, I may even change my opinion based on logical well presented information.  No one is saying you have to say something is the best thing since white bread and you know that.  You said it yourself in your post - "I will find something nice to say..."  You don't have to say you love it, but something nice is nice.  No?  If someone privately asks you what you really thought, let loose by all means.  I certainly have with any number of people.  The way in which I let loose is from a positive point of view rather than a negative because negative doesn't do anyone any good.  My two centimes anyway.

[bk]

Now back to other matters.  We had a wonderful rehearsal and Bill Hayes came and ran his song (he lives two minutes away) - what a sweetheart he is and his voice is still great.  I'll go into specifics in the notes, but it's going to be a wonderful show.

[bk]

I will also say we've probably exhausted this topic, but again I say I've found all responses, whatever side one is on, interesting.

[bk]

Can one apply for Medicare through AARP if one is a member?  I think I have to apply but have no idea how any of that works.

[Michael]

Back, from wherever I've been all day.  What a compelling thread this has been. 

DR Elmore, that's an incredible tale about the dissolution of that friendship.  I've known a couple of other long time friendships that I witnessed breaking up over (seemingly) sudden differences of opinion or behavior or whatever.  It's always shocking, inexplicable, and senseless.  (Those had nothing to do with the kind of thing being discussed here, just other wacky misunderstandings and miscommunications.)

I never discussed with him or his wife my disappointment over many of their actions, he owes many of his recording jobs with BK and John Yap to my recommendation, and I considred him a brother. Well, i disowned one of my real brothers and it didn't hurt at all; this one is killing me.

If it is who I think it might be...
Would it also mean that their child who you all have a relationship with also will be ended? It's a shame that the offspring is caught in the middle.

[John G.]

Watching "The Palm Beach Story" tonight. What a fun piece of nonsense. Pacing perfect. Great script. Lovely performances.

[John G.]

I've been to a number of restaurant openings where the chef has wanted an instant review of his or her restaurant. Most are friends, and opening nights of restaurants are often works in progress and not worthy of a review. My colleague will dive right in with every last thing, from too much sugar in a salad dressing to a steak ordered medium that came out medium rare. And she wonders why people won't call her whenever some news is happening. If things are bad, I usually say something nice and then offer to talk in private later about things in specific details. I've come to believe that opening nights of restaurants are not about me and my opinion. I'm there as a friend of the chef and as part of the greater support system of friends who are there to calm the chef's nerves because of the months of work and the millions of dollars that they've sunk into a project. I will go back after at least a few weeks -- two months is preferable -- and be completely honest about the state of the restaurant at that point. My allegiance is to my readers. If they feel I'm hedging because someone is a friend, then they won't trust me and they won't read me. And most of the chefs in town have come to respect that. 

[John G.]

Night, all.

[Charles Pogue]

I don't know if I've ever told anybody looking for a critique, that I "hated" something, but I have been pretty scathing at times and not pulled any punches.  If someone really wants to know something and I think I can pinpoint the trouble, I don't believe in sugarcoating the criticism to salve somebody's fragile ego.  If if my opinion is it's shit, I'm going to say it's shit.

[bk]

Again, there are ways and there are ways.  And I don't know that you'd be so happy if a close friend of yours said to your face that something you'd worked on long and hard and were proud of said it was absolute shit and should be burned until it is no more.  What good would that do?  But we are far afield from the original point now.  I just had some toast and it was good, not shit.

[bk]

I toasted the toast before I ate it - I said, "To the toast - we knew ye well."

[bk]

Page six?  Six pages?  I am glad we had the discussion today for it has brought Pogue back in force and we always like that.  His posts are shit, of course, worst things I've ever read, but I'm glad to have read them

[bk]

Speaking of shit, then there was Liz and Dick.  And now that I think about it, if Lindsay Lohan called me and asked what I thought, I'd have to tell her, I guess.  So, maybe I've been wrong.

[bk]

I gotta tell you.

[bk]

I would have been a better Elizabeth Taylor.

[bk]

Actually, given this town's propensity for remaking everything quickly, maybe we should remake Liz and Dick right now - I'll be Elizabeth Taylor, Pogue can be Richard Burton, Cilla can be Sybil Burton, ChasSmith can be Eddie Fisher - I love this idea.

[bk]

TCB can be Joe Mankiewicz.