Ah, community theatre. The best of the bottom of the barrel.

Support the arts!

=]'

Oh fear God. I feel for you I really do, but not as much as I feel for your friend. If there's one thing worse that seeing truly awful; amateur theatre, it's seeing truly awful amateur theatre and having to talk and be nice to some of the people involved aferwards!

I'd be definitely interested in seeing Scissorhands. I'm in London over Christmas and New Year as far as I'm aware (fingers crossed, touch wood etc that everything doesn't go horribly wrong in the meanwhilst).

I have not gone to see this one. I must admit, I'm not planning to. After hearing a bit about the half-assed job the company was doing (from the mouths of insiders and outsiders), I am inclined to pass. Sometimes it's handy being poor, as it gives me a good excuse.

yay. i like this post.

write more about all the shows you go to.

thanks, i will look at them when i have some time

You know, the opera company intended to present an opportunity for amateur Northwest singers (who have good voices but would never get the chance to sing in Seattle - so self-conscious that they always have to import singers from elsewhere) to have a chance to stage an opera, sing with some experienced singers, and stage a difficult program on a threadbare budget. They actually carried the program off, the singing was good, the singers were thrilled and the prices were modest. Give them a break you pretentious jerk.

Unlike the other Anonymous post, I will stand behind my comment with my name. I'm Tom and I don't know who you are, but from your picture you look like a 12 year old and clearly from the way you express yourself, you are completely inadequate to judge any art form.

I am not a blogger but do surf the net frequently and am an opera aficionado. Knowing the opera business very well, I know the truth hurts but even when it needs to be told that some singers/ productions just do not have the "chops," it is told in more tactful ways. Do you have any IDEA how much work goes into singing, let alone mounting a production? It takes a strong spirit, enduring physicality and a lot of brains.

You should REALLY try to avoid such blanketed phrases like "the worst opera evah." And, while you're at it, why don't you spell correctly? No one would listen to what Anthony Tommassini or Bernard Holland had to say if they said "Last night at the Met suuuucked." Do you know who they are?

Speaking of major opera companies -- You (your alias is "webcowgirl" I believe) responded to "itsjustaname's" comment that "we'd have to go see some real opera in London to get the taste out of our mouths." This statement is so unfathomably ignorant. Which opera company in London are you referring to? The Royal Opera? I'm assuming you live in Seattle. Are you implying that someone would have to travel across seas to see "good opera?" You seem to be blithely unaware of the elite opera companies that litter the United States (Houston, Chicago, New York) and even more unaware of the prominent regional companies the country boasts.

Oh, and while you're at it, might you define what you mean by "good opera?" From this statement, compounded with your response to the Anonymous post ("Either you should do it right or not do it at all, but to do it half-assed is really inexcusable") you seem like the type of person who automatically assumes that major companies, like a "Seattle Opera" or the "Met," always do it right. However, as you may not know, these companies are frequently, as are regional and what "conformer" calls "community theatre" companies, victims of inadequate productions and bad reviews. For instance, the Fall Run of Cavalleria rusticana/ Pagliacci at the Met was not well-received. Do you remember their new production of Trovatore in 1999/ 2000? New York City Opera's modern production of Carmen in the late 90s was panned. Likewise, Seattle Opera's Carmen in recent seasons, while it may have been what you call "historically accurate," featured dramatic mezzo Stephanie Blythe in the title role, inarguably physically inappropriate.

I am not writing this comment to argue, but am probably coming from the same place that the other Anonymous blogger came from - a frustration with the way you express yourself, an expression which has the slight potential for coming across as an opinion from a far more-educated audience member. This is America after all and you are free to use whatever language you like. However, comments like "the "nice" female lead just looked like crap" and "The Matador guy (Escamillo) actually cleared his throat during his big solo" are inappropriate.

By the way, what IS so bad about a singer clearing his or her throat during a performance? Obviously, from this comment, it is made clear that you are not a singer and have perhaps been to very few operas. Singers clear their throats all the time. Have you seen Raina Kabaivanska's Butterfly from the Arena di Verona? She actually COUGHS before the flower duet. Imagine...

Lastly, your tone here in your comment to the Anonymous blogger: "I left it public because I'm willing to stand behind my opinion; why won't you stand behind yours with your name?" is accusatory and argumentative. Do you think this individual a coward for not writing his name? Most would. However, upon further insight you would be made aware of the fact that the "Leave a comment" option only allows for bloggers to post their feedback, or for those with websites. I have neither a blog nor a website so I only have the option of commenting as Anonymous. Perhaps, though, the other Anonymous blogger just didn't think of putting his name.