Date: Thu, 19 Aug 1999 10:32:09 -0700 (PDT)
From: Wes Martin <***@***.***>
Subject: Reviews
To: mspt@goldfishpublishers.com
Dear Mr. Turvin,
Thank you for the very nice review of Taming of the Shrew. While I don't do this to please the critics, and rarely expect to, it's nice when I occasionally do. I look forward to seeing you at our production of The Tragedy of Macbeth coming in January.
My main reason for writing this, however, is not in regard to your review of "Shrew". I am writing in response to your 1998 review of the Theater Works production of The Music Man, which I just read. Your probably wondering,"Why is he just reading it now". Well frankly, when I am acting in a show I try to avoid reading the reviews until after we close the show. As you well know, this isn't usually possible because almost always someone in the cast tells you what was said. As you can guess, no one mentioned your review of "Music Man" to me, and now that I read it, I understand why. After the production closed, I never got around to reading it, and I thought while I was here checking out the "shrew" review, I'd see what you had to say.
I want you to understand, Mark, that this is not written to "bag on you" for your review. In fact, I'm writing to AGREE with it, and to let you know that some actor's can be objective about their own work.
Since I started doing theatre in 1978, I have always wanted to play Harold Hill. I could never get my high school or college to do it(Back when I was young, thin and good looking), and had to wait many years for TW to do it. When they finally did, I auditioned, figuring I didn't have a chance, but I could't pass up the opportunity. Imagine my suprise when I got the role.
Anyway, you were absolutely on as to my problems in the show. It wasn't just a bad night for me that night, but every night. At 34 years old and 250+ pounds, the role just overwhelmed me. I couldn't keep up with the arobic choreography and numerous quick costume changes. Because I was exausted most of the time, my vocal support suffered, and I spent most of the second act (Where My relationship with Marion was supposed to take off) wipeing my sweaty forhead and trying to recover from the grueling first act. Add on the fact that we ran the show 6 times a week for 5 weeks, and it's a wonder it didn't kill me!
As they say, anything that doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I learned a valuable lesson from that show about self-objectivity. I knew going in that if I were directing that show, I never would have put a middle-aged fat man in that role, no matter how talented he was. I know that's not a "Politically Correct" statement, but then anyone who knows me knows that has never stopped me from speaking my mind. I don't fault Greg Jaye or any of the staff at TW for this, it was my choice to audition, and to accept the role, even though I knew in the back of my mind I would have problems. We live and learn.
You get a bad rap around town from actors and directors for being too tough, and sometimes unfair. I want to go on record as saying that I feel that the only bad critics are the ones who comprimise their opinions to satisfy the masses. Keep on "calling them like you see them", Mark. I, for one, appreciate the imput, be it negative or positive.
See you at "Macbeth"!
Sincerely,
===
Wesley H. Martin
President, The Shakespeare Theatre
For my response, please see my Mission
Statement.