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Miscellany: Reviews, raves and otherwise
Published: 5/13/2010 10:48 AM
Last Modified: 5/13/2010 10:48 AM

"It means a lot to me to know that my reviews have caused people to see shows that they wouldn't otherwise have seen.

I hope I don't need to add, by the way, that I take that responsibility very seriously indeed. Theater tickets cost a lot these days. I promise never to deliberately waste your money, or to overpraise a show simply because I think it "deserves" to do well. When I rave about a show, it's for one reason only: because I think it's good."

-- Terry Teachout, drama critic for the Wall Street Journal.

I literally was transcribing this quote from Mr. Teachout when I received a call from someone who, on the basis of my review, attended the American Theatre Company's production of "12 Angry Men."

The caller said he would not have attended the play if it hadn't been for the review, and that he wanted to thank of for "providing (him) with a wonderful evening."

Of course, it was the cast of "12 Angry Men" who provided the wonderful evening, but I appreciated the sentiment.

And I've learned over time that it's not only rave reviews that get people interested in seeing a particular show. The day after one of the most negative reviews I've ever written appeared in print, I received a press release from the company that stated, due to increased ticket demand, the show I panned was to be extended another two weeks.

I've always maintained that a review of a performance is not an afterthought but is in truth the real "news element" in arts journalism. To write about the arts strictly from a "here's what's coming to town" viewpoint is akin to writing detailed stories about each item on the agenda of a City Council meeting and never writing about what action was taken during the meeting.

I also realize there are a great many people -- in the general public, and in the news producing business -- who believe reviews of performances are simply an indulgence for the writer who "gets to go see all them shows."

Besides, I am regularly told by people and statistics that "No one reads reviews," that no one cares what happened on stage when the orchestra played, or the opera was performed, or the ballet company danced, or actors spoke their lines.

I also realize that there is little I can do to convince these people -- and these statistics -- otherwise. But no matter. One does what one believes needs to be done, in order to do one's job as best as one can.


Reader Comments 2 Total
senor notas (3 years ago)
Just saw this today, Saturday. I don't know who "Those People" are but I can venture a guess. I think 'they' would be shocked by how many subscriptions were cancelled if 'they' canceled reviews of the arts, music, movies and other events. You keep up the good work of keeping us informed. P.S. I gave serious thought to seeing "Robin Hood" this weekend until I read the review in the TW this morning. Guess I will have to clean up the yard.
lizzy (3 years ago)
I read all the local arts reviews, and I'm thrilled that locally-produced theatre is back on the list for the Tulsa World. Yay!
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ARTS

James D. Watts Jr. has lived in Oklahoma for most his life, even though he still has people saying to him, "Don't sound like you're from around these parts." A University of Oklahoma Phi Beta Kappa graduate, Watts has received the Governor Arts Award, Harwelden Award and the National Conference of Christians and Jews Beth Macklin Award for his writing. Before coming to the Tulsa World, Watts worked for the Tulsa Tribune.

Contact him at (918) 581-8478.

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