Comments for Puckishness: "A Midsummer Night’s Dream," at Lincoln Park through July 11 at http://www.rcreader.com , comment 1 to 10 out of 10 comments http://www.rcreader.com Wed, 22 May 2013 15:33:20 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.rcreader.com/theatre/puckishness-midsummer-nights-dream/#comment-2090 Dee I think you're right and looking back I realize that I was very harsh on the review. I have no problem being left out of the review in favor of larger characters. Reviews are for saying what was good and bad about the show and it is just frustrating to hear about the seating and not the performance. I feel that some characters should not have been left out of the review and while it was undoubtably unintentional, not seeing any reaction to a character as essential and infamous as Puck is disappointing. I wish the reviewer would have moved his chair at intermission to a place where he could've heard better, but it's done and the people who came know how great the show was, even if the reviewer wasn't completely convinced. - Lexi Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:32:40 +0100 http://www.rcreader.com/theatre/puckishness-midsummer-nights-dream/#comment-2059 I enjoyed this show so much on Friday night that I came back on Saturday. I was able to hear quite well from the third row. And judging by the laughter behind me, the folks seated on the wall could hear too. I was especially enthralled by the family atmosphere. In scenes that could have been played bawdy (this IS Shakespeare), there was innocent romance and playfulness. Outdoor theatre is such a treasure, and this show is a wonderful introduction to Shakespeare. Definitely bring the kids. Did I mention that there are children in the roles of fairies? Three actors deserve mention for their fine characterizations - Stephanie Moeller as Puck, Faith Rebekah as Titania, and Adam Overberg as Oberon. Thank you to Genesius Guild for this gem. - marsha Thu, 08 Jul 2010 05:40:06 +0100 http://www.rcreader.com/theatre/puckishness-midsummer-nights-dream/#comment-2058 Thanks for your review Thom. I'm a Genesius Guilder myself and love the Guild; however, I think some of these comments are just not good form (especially if they're coming from actors). Thanks for your comments Jaded theatre goer" - you're right on target. - Dee Thu, 08 Jul 2010 05:22:21 +0100 http://www.rcreader.com/theatre/puckishness-midsummer-nights-dream/#comment-2057 Is Genesius Guild vitally inportant to this community? Just asking. I have always thought it was one of the best things we have here. Its mission is to allow free access to classic theater - mostly ancient Greek tragedy (the origin of all Western theater), Shakespeare, and Greek comedies re-written to be funny and relevant to modern QC audiences. It provides not only free access as an audience member, but access to anyone who wants to experience these plays as an actor -Yes, even those who have never acted before! (My first acting role was on the Genesius stage.) Your neighbors and friends, many of whom are holding full-time jobs, are giving up weeks of their free time to rehearse in hot sun, storms and rain to offer this experience to you. It could not be free if it weren't outdoors, but it comes with the price of noisy, inconsiderate park-goers who do not obey park rules, bugs, rain, loud passing car stereos, and huge amounts of fireworks on the 4th of July weekend. Is it too much to ask for this theater to be supported by this community? The Rock Island Park Board has cut all funding. Will the community step up and appreciate what they have, and have had for free for over 60 years? I think "jaded theater goer" is too harsh. A valid reason to do theater is to please the audience, to hear applause. And a lot of applause was heard Friday night. It hurts to be reviewed poorly, even if you try to ignore it. But to be reviewed by someone who didn't seem to even see or hear the play is pointless, and doesn't provide a value to the reader. - cassandra Thu, 08 Jul 2010 04:01:04 +0100 http://www.rcreader.com/theatre/puckishness-midsummer-nights-dream/#comment-2056 Wow! I am surprised by the comments. A review is one person's opinion. An opinion which you solicit in order to publicize your show. If seats are hard to come by, you could set aside an area for the reviewer. If all of your performances are well attended (and I hope they will be as the review as not as bad as you are making it out to be, and the whiny comment about Ms. Tunnicliff was actually a compliment) someone will have to sit in that same position or far off. Yes, it's free. Yes, it's outdoors. But if you are going to do theatre, inside or out, people have expectations--including seeing and hearing the show. Those theatres with mics are criticized when their equipment is not in good working order. There were some wonderful comments made and this review would certainly not deter me from coming. But, I don't like the "bash the reviewer" position. His opinion and he's entitled to it. And I am turned off that the actors are criticizing because someone did not stroke their egos. If you need a review to be secure in what you are doing and providing (and trust me what GG provides in this community is VITALLY IMPORTANT!), then you are doing theatre for the wrong reasons. - Jaded Theatre Goer Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:30:08 +0100 http://www.rcreader.com/theatre/puckishness-midsummer-nights-dream/#comment-2055 Mr. White - I am sorry that your seating was not ideal, but as already mentioned, it comes with the Genesius Guild experience (along with the feeling of an off-balanced stage since the seating is also off balance). As a member of the cast, I know I am a bit bias about this critique, however I would not go as far to call it that. You merely mentioned a few players. After titling your article "Puckishness" you made no mention to Stephanie Moeller's performance (either positive or negative) and while talking of the lovers you still left out one of the four. You also included two fairly simple errors. You wrote, "I was told that Saturday night's performance broke a record for attendance," when I believe you meant Friday night, the night you were present. You also referred to Bottom having a horse's head when the language and the costume both entirely suggest a donkey/ass. As an actor I enjoy having an outsider view my work and give me constructive criticism. This review offered no such help. I encourage you, Mr. White, to return again this weekend. With the lack of fireworks and probable smaller crowds, I believe your experience as an audience member will be much better and leave you open to actually enjoying the show. Thank you. - Faith Rebekah Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:02:36 +0100 http://www.rcreader.com/theatre/puckishness-midsummer-nights-dream/#comment-2054 The Fairies are excellent! You might even see some others wandering through the park as well as onstage. One reason the lines were hard to hear, especially with the rustics, was the laughter on Friday night! Come and enjoy theater as it should be! - schqc Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:57:03 +0100 http://www.rcreader.com/theatre/puckishness-midsummer-nights-dream/#comment-2053 The players are staged according to the audience and since you didn't get there early enough, you weren't in a great spot. Well, maybe you should've thought about the fact that Midsummer is one of the most famous plays and there was probably going to be a bigger crowd. Believe me, it was a surprise to the cast too how big the crowd was. Yes, I was in the show. You should've been there Sunday night when the cast was projecting so much that we could hear everything behind the house. Next time, maybe you should spend more time talking about something connected to the show instead of your crappy seat which is no fault of ours. Why is it that no one can come to a GG show without commenting first on the noise around you or the unfortunate seating? We do shows just like Playcrafters or Music Guild and we would like to hear more about our actors than what everyone already knows about our space and sometimes unfortunate outside noise. Get over that people! - Lexi Wed, 07 Jul 2010 04:30:32 +0100 http://www.rcreader.com/theatre/puckishness-midsummer-nights-dream/#comment-2052 This is one of the worst reviews I have ever read! Much of your column was spent whining about your seating rather than commenting on the fine performances of many other wonderful characters in the play. I agree that most of the action took place on stage right, and granted, it is difficult to hear and see in an outdoor setting that competes with planes, trains, and firecrackers, but I am sure most people in the audience, no matter where they sat, could tell the difference between Hanske's costume being the head of an ass rather than a horse! (A rather important distinction in this play.) And no mention of Puck or the Clowns? ... Unforgivable! For Readers: Please do not let this review keep you from attending this very funny production in Lincoln Park next weekend. There were many good amateur actors on that stage, and from the exuberant crowd, it was a highly enjoyable experience for most. - cj Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:47:24 +0100 http://www.rcreader.com/theatre/puckishness-midsummer-nights-dream/#comment-2051 Next time, if you are reviewing a play, find a seat where you can actually see the stage. If you can't be bothered to move, then don't whine about it in your review. It is an outdoor free theater, and you can move around until you are comfortable. Genesius Guild is theater on a human scale- it is not amplified like Music Guild. The actors can be heard if you bother to sit in the audience, and not far back on the lawn. I don't think this review is fair, and it is a shame if others are influenced by you, as your review was obviously as whiny as you thought any of the actors were! - cassandra Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:19:40 +0100