The more things change, the more they remain the same.
Two years ago, I wrote a very scathing essay after an independent production of the show Extremeties was cancelled with four people in the audience. Last night, the newest Artistic Director of Planet Earth Theatre, ASU professor Jared Sakren, cancelled a Wednesday night performance of Eugene Ionesco's Rhinoceros with myself, my girlfriend Shauna, and three others waiting to see the show.
Why am I not ranting and raving the way I did the last time I drove from Tempe to central Phoenix only to be sent away? Foresight.
Professor Sakren is reasonably new to the Phoenix theatre scene, a town that does things a lot different than other cities. He set up a Wednesday performance, and all performances begin at 7 p.m., rather than the customary, though admittedly problematic, 8 p.m. that audiences expect. This is the first show for a company that has spent half a season dark. I was virtually guaranteed going home early.
So, instead of a review of the show, or a rant about cancelling a show, I'm going to leave it to my readers to do these two things for me.
First, those who did see it, what did you think? Write me email, and tell me how you felt about this production. Just click here, and send your own review. If you wish to remain anonymous, please mention so in your email. Comments will be copied unedited onto the bottom of this page.
Second, is it right to have to refund money to a few audience members who've shown up expecting a play? Professor Sakren would have lost a bit of money had he gone ahead. Of course, he's miffed a few prospective audience members by choosing to go dark ten minutes after the play was to start. Where do you stand? Just click here, and send your comments. Should the show not go on? If so, what are the circumstances? Again, if you wish to remain anonymous, please mention this in your email. Comments will be copied unedited onto the bottom of this page.
Everyone knows where I stand on this situation, now it's your turn to let the world know how you felt about this production or about the policy of cancelling shows when your cast outnumbers your audience. Show off your theatrical knowledge. This will truly be a "Voice From The Audience"!
Audience Comments on Planet Earth Theatre's Rhinoceros
Interestingly, no one has decided to take me up on this offer, so no one will ever know how this show fared in the audiences eyes...
Is it always true that "The Show Must Go On?"
Unspoken Theatre Etiquette
The Rumble Rule: If members of the cast could beat the members of the audience in a fair fight, the show does NOT have to go on.
Feel free to print my name. I'm sure I could take anyone who might be offended. :)
Linda Griego
Production Details:
Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco
Planet Earth Theatre, Phoenix