From: "Parson, Carolyn" <xxx@xxx.xxx>
To: "'mspt@goldfishpublishers.com'" <mspt@goldfishpublishers.com>
Subject: Clueless
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 12:16:43 -0700
MIME-Version: 1.0
...Clueless as usual. I agree with some of your critiques in comparing the characters to Sanford and Son and the Aunt Esther analysis. I did not like that choice either because I thought the story was about something more simple and there was a genuine story about two people in love. But, it wasn't about being black (an expectation white reviewers look for in any play with black people). And, it certainly wasn't about saving Willie's apartment or planning a bank heist. It was about two people trying to find their way in a world of contradictions (like everybody). They were lucky and found each other. That's what the story is about.
I think the delivery of the jokes could have been less harsh and more playful, but I found their affections for each other touching.
I also agree that the white guilt thing you mentioned was correct too. The one comment on black life the play makes is that we've always found a way to laugh through and at both the injustice and misunderstanding of our lives.
The play is not BTT's best, but not for the reasons you mentioned. In spite of some of the things I didn't like, I did like the Willie and Esther - the people.
But you, the white community, could tell us how you think we should portray our lives in a way that makes you comfortable and guilt-free, and I've no doubt Mr. Hemphil will try and do it. But thank God, not everybody will.
Who are you anyway?
Carolyn Parson
X-From_: mspt@goldfishpublishers.com Wed Oct
20 17:17:17 1999
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 17:17:06 -0700
To: "Parson, Carolyn" <xxx@xxx.xxx>
From: "Mark S.P. Turvin, M.F.A." <mspt@goldfishpublishers.com>
Subject: Re: Clueless
Ms. Parson,
I'm sorry that you found my critique "...Clueless as usual," unless you are a regular reader of my critiques, in which case I ask in return, "Why do you bother reading them if you consistently feel this way?" I will assume, though, that you are just making a blanket statement for effect, and point out that as critics are people with likes and dislikes, it often happens that someone who does not agree with a critic's bias will decide that they must not know what they're talking about. I'd prefer to think that my 20+ years in theatre and 5+ years of reviewing would count toward something, but you are definitely entitled to your opinion.
Thank you for explaining the play to me. I really thought there was supposed to be something more there than just a simple character study. I realize that plays put on by socio- and ethnic-based theatre companies don't necessarily have to be about race, creed or color, and can simply be about people interacting with other people. I just happen to think that this particular script was an extended sitcom whose characters and situation didn't personally touch me. Furthermore, had it been Italians or Jews (my heritage) portrayed in this way, it would have offended me. Perhaps imposing my own set of values may upset readers, but not taking a stand at all and not allowing myself to be affected by a piece would make for a deadly dull, scholarly critique. I enjoy theatre because I invest myself in it, and strive to bring that emotional response across in my reviews.
I have NO desire to impose a white morality on the black community. I believe I was the only critic, white or otherwise, to enjoy a joint venture between BTT and Planet Earth Theatre, Insurrection, put on last season. That was one of the more critical and disturbing indictments of both blacks and whites to be staged in the valley in recent years. I don't believe anyone should live comfortably and guilt-free, no matter what their heritage, since history teaches us to learn from our mistakes.
I write about theatre from the point of view of a theatre person. As a playwright, instructor of playwriting, and dramaturg, I found the play script to be so full of clichés and badly handled dialogue, it never rose above a base comedy-level; therefore undercutting the emotions expressed by the characters and lowering them to the level of cheap sentimentality. As an actor, I was surprised at what the director made his actors do to overplay their creations. As a director, I was dumbfounded by the simple, repetitive blocking and pacing which lulled the audience into ignoring anything beyond the base comedy.
I must jump to Mr. Hemphill's defense. Your very negative implied comment is a pathetic cheap shot. I have worked with Mr. Hemphill on productions and helped him out when he requested. This is a man who has single-handedly raised the level of BTT in the eyes of the theatre community, forged links and taken unpopular stands, all the while facing adversity and challenges that would buckle another man. I'm sorry you see him as cowtowing to the white community, but his skillful ambassadorship has resulted in an improved theatre facility, higher production values, and raised awareness of BTT and the community in general. You should try supporting him more, and spend less time sniping him.
You ask who I am. I am a theatre professional who saw a play that bored him to tears when it wasn't mystifying him. I am a Straight-Italian-Jewish-New York-Thirtysomething critic who struggled for seven hours to write a review that tried (and obviously failed) not to offend individuals in the black community in pointing out what I found stereotypical and degrading while still getting across the theatrical deficiencies. I am a person who is obsessed with theatre, who tries to compliment impressive productions, and who gives what I hope to be constructive criticism to those that I feel did not work. And while I may be, as you said, a member of the "white community," I certainly do not claim to represent it.
Regards,
Mark S.P. Turvin, M.F.A.
Goldfish Publishers, LLC
mspt@goldfishpublishers.com
X-From_: xxx@xxx.xxx Thu Oct 21 08:27:00 1999
From: "Parson, Carolyn" <xxx@xxx.xxx>
To: "'Mark S.P. Turvin, M.F.A.'" <mspt@goldfishpublishers.com>
Subject: RE: Clueless
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 08:26:23 -0700
MIME-Version: 1.0
Thank you for replying. I did not mean to
offend you by asking who you were. It was a sincere questions.
I must confess I do have a lot of frustration with theater in
the valley in general and lately I feel BTT strives too hard to
be pleasing to everyone except Black audiences. Having been affiliated
with the theater for a very long time, I personally feel BTT is
becoming alienated from the Black community in an effort to raise
much need money.
I love David and understand the burden he bears, my fear is we're
critically close to losing something very precious to the community
- all communities. I will continue to support BTT and David's
struggle. I still feel for all the gains, we're losing our souls.
I hope I'm wrong. I appreciate your passion for theater and
apologize for offending you. I have a passion for theater too,
I also have a fear about BTT.
By the way, I loved Insurrection, and I also believe the talent
in Willie and Esther was better than the play. But, I did like
the people, Willie and Esther.