Comments on: “This Isn’t Paradise” … Not Even Close

By: kristin abele

kristin abele — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:37:56 +0000

I have not seen this play and as such i thought the review was helpful. I plan to save my money to watch re-runs of the office instead. Thanks, Karen! but by the way…I absolutely HEART Fisher Stevens. (flash to great image of him on skateboard playing maniacal villain in ahem, 90s film, Hackers…through horrible ‘futuristic’ computer layouts)

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:07:28 +0000

First of all, thanks for taking the time to write. Even if you disagree with me, it’s nice to see someone so passionate about a show that they feel they have to defend it. So, I applaud you for that.

Secondly — I actually do have press credentials. And my bio was mostly tongue-in-cheek but thanks again for caring enough to see “who the hell this person is” (I bet you were thinking) before blasting me. You did your research, and that’s never a bad thing.

When I first started reviewing shows (of every caliber) I felt it necessary to always find the glimmer of what the show was attempting to do, and accentuate THAT rather than the flaws which (I agree) can be subjective.

However, I see from 2 to 3 plays a week, I review for this site and one other theatre site, and when I see a show with this many flaws it’s pointless to try and sugar coat it in order to push tickets. That’s the job of the publicist and the marketing director. I’d rather drive audiences to quality shows that are out there.

Now, another reviewer could have sat right next to me and been thinking “Amazing! Thoughtful! Dazzling! Five out of Five Stars!” and then the cautious theatre goer would make a decision based somewhere in the middle of our two reviews. Gosh, Ebert made a career out of it with Siskel AND with Roeper. So … consider me the thumbs down to your thumbs up, and now let the audience go and make the decision.

If anyone does go to see This Isn’t Paradise, and wants to weigh in, please tell me what you thought. I welcome all opinions.

Karen

UPADATE:
For those who wish to read further reviews of this show from other sources, here are two which may shed more light on the show:
http://www.backstage.com/bso/reviews-ny-theatre-off-off-broadway/this-isn-t-paradise-1003986186.story
http://newtheatercorps.blogspot.com/2009/06/this-isnt-paradise.html

By: Anonymous Reviewer

Anonymous Reviewer — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:49:05 +0000

I’m stymied by this review, because the tone set would lead someone to believe that you have the credentials to make such fundamental criticisms on the structure, casting, and execution (i.e. pacing) of the show. Upon reading that you did a 1 woman show (where you as well cast yourself in the lead role, similar to Rich-Esposito), I thought for a moment that there was some substantive depth to your analysis. However, I found the comments on “focus” to reflect poorly upon you, seeming amateurish and sophomoric- I’m not even going to get into how unwarranted and nasty the penultimate paragraph came off.

not all tastes are for all palates… but in the future you may fair better in community theatre/garage shows, with which you are much more intimately acquainted. I do appreciate your attempt at such a candid and genuine response to THIS ISN’T PARADISE, and hope that your Event Coordinating will continue to hone your “Dramatist” skills.

*I’ve seen the show – am a working actor who hasn’t had to satiate my artistic needs with community theatre in years – and it’s brilliant…