The Green Room - What motivates you to see a show?

Mar 10^th, 2008 at 8:42am

Wc365 Offline
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luvbeefcakes wrote on Mar 9^th, 2008 at 9:19pm:

Does anything in the world ever change if nobody has an opinion about changing it? People who lack opinions are not very interesting to converse with. I'm not going to argue with you about "Cabaret" because I haven't seen it yet. Maybe I won't go see it if it's not worth the time committment. Words like "mediocre" and "uneven" and total lack of response don't inspire me to rush out to the theatre. I don't want to go see it and be bored and unimpressed. I've seen "cabaret" too many times already to see the same old same old. Undecided

(Emphasis mine. //Wildcard)

Don't wish to pick on luvbeefcakes, so I won't, but this raises aninteresting point... suppose there is a show that opens, and you've never heard of it. Matter of fact, nobody in the area seems to have heard of it, and there's been very little "buzz" and no "leaks" about the production.

So. Would you go see a show you know nothing about? Why or why not? If not, what would somehow compel you to go?

Discuss.

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Reply #1 - Mar 10^th, 2008 at 9:33am

spiker Offline
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No buzz? I don't know. The fact that this hypothetical play is one that nobody in the area has heard of would create some kind of buzz, wouldn't it?

I'm interested in seeing things I've never seen and never heard of. That would compel me to go. Especially if it was produced by a company that I knew had a reputation for doing things well. More especially if there were actors in it who I enjoy watching. One great actor in a show that is otherwise utterly mediocre is enough to make a theatre experience worthwhile for me.

"...there are more people alive now than have died in all of human history. �In other words, if everyone wanted to play Hamlet at once, they couldn't, because there aren't enough skulls!"

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Reply #2 - Mar 10^th, 2008 at 9:43am

kitchensinger Offline
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Quote:

Don't wish to pick on luvbeefcakes, so I won't, but this raises aninteresting point... �suppose there is a show that opens, and you've never heard of it. �Matter of fact, nobody in the area seems to have heard of it, and there's been very little "buzz" and no "leaks" about the production.

So. �Would you go see a show you know nothing about? �Why or why not? �If not, what would somehow compel you to go?

Discuss.

The only times I go to a show of which I've heard nothing about is if I knew from SOMEONE (say a review?) that one of the principals gives a stellar performance. �I'd go to watch and learn from them. �But that's just me. �This was the case with Vertical Hour at Pioneer. �Awesome performances from ALL the cast....

....and the tickets were free.

"I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any harm."--Calvin Coolidge&&&&"Some families go water skiing together; others go camping.....our family does THEME PARTIES." --my brother Ben

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Reply #3 - Mar 10^th, 2008 at 10:00am

mr. spiker Offline
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Quote:

Would you go see a show you know nothing about? �Why or why not? �If not, what would somehow compel you to go?

I know nothing? Do I know when it's playing and where?

I'd go if I knew any of the cast, and wanted to see them. Or it's a theatre or director who I trust. Or if I know the playwright or script, and want to see it live.

But if I don't know the cast, the show, or the theatre? ... I don't go see it. But I may give them a call and offer my services as a marketer.

http://www.fiftytwoplays.com

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Reply #4 - Mar 10^th, 2008 at 10:01am

gcarp Offline
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I'll go and see shows that I know nothing about (at least production wise) if It's from an author I know, or directed by someone I respect. However, I've done that with certain companies in this town, and have been both pleasantly surprised and shockingly appaled by what I've seen. However as performing artists we should strive to see as much theatre as we can and try to support everyone, no matter how weird we think their concept is or how lacking the talent pool is in the show.

There is a strong tendency for some folks in our community (and no LUVBEEFCAKES, I'm not singling you out) to be negative about everything unless it comes from their own creative instincts. I for instance have loved some stuff that I've seen where other people have hated it, and vice-versa. Remember Opinions are like A##holes, everyone has one.

Wink

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Reply #5 - Mar 10^th, 2008 at 10:19am

The Dark Knight Ex Member
www.maniccity.tv

Whether I've heard of the show or not, nothing motivates me to see a production like comp tickets.

http://www.maniccity.tv/

"The power is not in the mask. It's in whether we chose to wear it."
-Peter Blustrinsky

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Reply #6 - Mar 10^th, 2008 at 10:56am

kitchensinger Offline
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Whether I've heard of the show or not, �nothing motivates me to see a production like comp tickets.

Uh, oh....I just realized that the majority of the shows I saw last year were on comp tickets.

"I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any harm."--Calvin Coolidge&&&&"Some families go water skiing together; others go camping.....our family does THEME PARTIES." --my brother Ben

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Reply #7 - Mar 10^th, 2008 at 11:05am

Wc365 Offline
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kitchensinger wrote on Mar 10^th, 2008 at 10:56am:

Quote:

Whether I've heard of the show or not, �nothing motivates me to see a production like comp tickets.

Uh, oh....I just realized that the majority of the shows I saw last year were on comp tickets.

You sound like one shrewd thespian! Kiss

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Reply #8 - Mar 10^th, 2008 at 11:14am

JingleBeq Offline
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kitchensinger wrote on Mar 10^th, 2008 at 10:56am:

Quote:

Whether I've heard of the show or not, �nothing motivates me to see a production like comp tickets.

Uh, oh....I just realized that the majority of the shows I saw last year were on comp tickets.

You know, I don't think anyone has ever given me comp tickets for a show they're in. I've gotten comps for future shows at theaters I've worked at, but I generally haven't used them because either: a) I had absolutely no interest in seeing the show, or b) I was bitter because I wasn't cast in the show. (yes, I know that's a little childish. But I figure it's better than going to see the show and then griping about how much better I would have been--which probably wouldn't be true, anyway). That doesn't mean I don't see shows. It also doesn't mean I pay to see them. It means I get my parents to take me. Which is way more pitful than using comps. Hm... my parents are going on vacation again next month... wonder if that means I get any of their season tickets this time...

Oh, right. On topic. For a show I know nothing about, I'm most likely to go see it if someone I know and like is in it. And if it's a comedy. I don't use my leisure time and spending money to see something depressing or thought-provoking. I prefer to be entertained.

I make pretty things.

Though she lived alone, apart, hope lay nestling at her heart.

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Reply #9 - Mar 10^th, 2008 at 11:19am

kitchensinger Offline
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Quote:

kitchensinger wrote on Mar 10^th, 2008 at 10:56am:

Quote:

Whether I've heard of the show or not, �nothing motivates me to see a production like comp tickets.

Uh, oh....I just realized that the majority of the shows I saw last year were on comp tickets.

You sound like one shrewd thespian! Kiss

Ah! �*grasps chest and gasps at the personal afront*

I'm just doing my part as a "performing artist" to support all theatre as suggested by gcarp....

....maybe not with DOLLARS, but I AM gracing the theatre with my presence..... Smiley

"I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any harm."--Calvin Coolidge&&&&"Some families go water skiing together; others go camping.....our family does THEME PARTIES." --my brother Ben

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