By Bob Roberts
For the Real Critics Blog
"No refunds. No exchanges. No exceptions." Thus reads a white paper sign scotch-taped above the Old Town Temecula Community Theatre box office. And again, taped on the counter below the hole in the box office window: "No refunds." Why such a tactless presentation of such an inconsiderate customer service policy? Well, having just sat through "The Miracle Worker," presented by Temecula Valley Players, I might have an idea.
Fresh off their ovation-worthy "13: The Musical," TVP debuts yet another cringe-worthy attempt at legitimate theater with William Gibson's play about Helen Keller, the blind-deaf American icon whose legacy has come to symbolize triumph against the most difficult of circumstances. Unfortunately, unlike Lapp, director Terry Miller Schmidt is unable to transcend the difficulties (of a mostly youth cast and a challenging script) to provide us with two hours' traffic worth the steep-for-community-theatre admission price.
Straight theatre is tough. No catchy tunes everyone knows, no elaborate dance routines, no flash, no twelve-piece band or bobbing conductor's baton - nothing between the audience and whatever heart-warming/rending truths the actors can relate. Those simple truths, which elevate the medium beyond the usual fluff - especially when depicting such a powerful true story - were glaringly absent from this production.
Schmidt, director of 120+ plays, let her cast drown. Hankered by inconsistent, cartoonish accents and complete ignorance for the purpose and subtleties of narrative, they flailed blank-eyed around the stage, listening only to their own voices rattling around in untrained ears; succeeding only in dragging the audience down with them into the depths of discomfort that only bad theatre can instill.
While we're on the subject of amateurism, let's talk a moment about stage design. I'm all for minimalism. No need to build an entire house. But how about some Plexiglas in the window frames? Wouldn't that look better? And about that small section of outer wall painted to look like siding, couldn't you have used that same bit of plywood to make actual siding? As for the water pump - which appeared to work, and looked great by the way - did you have to surround it with wood painted to look like rocks? Especially since the set is stationary, couldn't you have used actual rocks? You're professionals. Time to let go of the elementary-school-play design techniques.
I know I've probably hurt a lot of feelings, but since they've made quite clear that I'll never see my $28 again, I think I've paid for the right to express my concern as a customer. Were I able to get a refund, I probably wouldn't have felt the need to say anything.
For the Real Critics Blog
"No refunds. No exchanges. No exceptions." Thus reads a white paper sign scotch-taped above the Old Town Temecula Community Theatre box office. And again, taped on the counter below the hole in the box office window: "No refunds." Why such a tactless presentation of such an inconsiderate customer service policy? Well, having just sat through "The Miracle Worker," presented by Temecula Valley Players, I might have an idea.
Fresh off their ovation-worthy "13: The Musical," TVP debuts yet another cringe-worthy attempt at legitimate theater with William Gibson's play about Helen Keller, the blind-deaf American icon whose legacy has come to symbolize triumph against the most difficult of circumstances. Unfortunately, unlike Lapp, director Terry Miller Schmidt is unable to transcend the difficulties (of a mostly youth cast and a challenging script) to provide us with two hours' traffic worth the steep-for-community-theatre admission price.
Straight theatre is tough. No catchy tunes everyone knows, no elaborate dance routines, no flash, no twelve-piece band or bobbing conductor's baton - nothing between the audience and whatever heart-warming/rending truths the actors can relate. Those simple truths, which elevate the medium beyond the usual fluff - especially when depicting such a powerful true story - were glaringly absent from this production.
Schmidt, director of 120+ plays, let her cast drown. Hankered by inconsistent, cartoonish accents and complete ignorance for the purpose and subtleties of narrative, they flailed blank-eyed around the stage, listening only to their own voices rattling around in untrained ears; succeeding only in dragging the audience down with them into the depths of discomfort that only bad theatre can instill.
While we're on the subject of amateurism, let's talk a moment about stage design. I'm all for minimalism. No need to build an entire house. But how about some Plexiglas in the window frames? Wouldn't that look better? And about that small section of outer wall painted to look like siding, couldn't you have used that same bit of plywood to make actual siding? As for the water pump - which appeared to work, and looked great by the way - did you have to surround it with wood painted to look like rocks? Especially since the set is stationary, couldn't you have used actual rocks? You're professionals. Time to let go of the elementary-school-play design techniques.
I know I've probably hurt a lot of feelings, but since they've made quite clear that I'll never see my $28 again, I think I've paid for the right to express my concern as a customer. Were I able to get a refund, I probably wouldn't have felt the need to say anything.
