In Review

Private Eyes has received three lovely press reviews. My mom asked me this week if reviews mattered. I think it depends on who you ask.

If you're an actor, not necessarily. A lot of actors that I know prefer to not read reviews. They don't want to be influenced away from the director's vision. Designers I think are different. I think it's always nice to see technical recognition as most people aren't aware that a lot of work goes into, say, lighting a show. And it is nice for the portfolio and getting future work.

If you're in the business of theatre, a good review is free press and a great way to get the word out that you have something special going on

Speaking of reviews though, one of the best reviews you can get is from audience members. If you've seen a show you loved, something you as an audience member can do to help is to spread the word. Go on Facebook and post a link to the show. Write a review on Yelp or Artsopolis. Write your own blog post about the show. These things all really do make a big difference. People like to hear about things that their friends like.

What are your thoughts on reviews? Do they influence you? If you're a techie or actor do you read them?

The Importance of Audience

Last night was the audience preview of Private Eyes. We had a BLAST. Audience is so very important to a show, and not just because they pay the bills. ;) The energy of everyone performing is affected by audience. For example - last night's audience was AWESOME. They laughed a lot, groaned at puns, booed and hissed, and were generally entertained (and were entertaining). I wish that audience was in the house every night! It was so energizing and rewarding to see all the hard work pay off - the actors were just bouncing with delight when they realized that people liked their show. We loved hearing people's comments about the play - people were talking about it at intermission and afterward trying to lay the whole thing out.

I left after doing the dishes exhausted but exhilarated - it was a great reminder of why we all do what we do, and that's put on something that is entertaining and thought provoking and interactive with people.

We're doing it again tonight at the official opening. Tonight's performance costs a little but more because the show is followed by the opening gala - there's champagne and snacks and you can meet the actors and director.

See you at the show!

Private Eyes Teaser

Lessa, one of the talented Dragon staffers, and Steve, Dragon's genius graphic designer, put together this really fun teaser video for Private Eyes.

Tonight is the Pay What You Can Preview- this is a great way to see theatre on the cheap. Here's the deal. Show up at the Dragon Theatre at 535 Alma St. in Palo Alto between 7:30 and 8:00 tonight. Bring some cash. You can pay $5 or $25 or anything in between!

See you at the show!

The Usual Suspects

Steven Dietz did an interview in which he explained that Private Eyes was originally conceived and written under the title The Usual Suspect. He wrote the play, had a staged reading of the script done, and then Christopher McQuarrie had a film script produced - the film called The Usual Suspects that came out and went on to be a big hit. Dietz decided to re-title his play.

It occurred to me recently that it's kind of funny as both stories are similar in that in both cases, the story being told isn't all that it seems. In The Usual Suspects the question is - Who is Keyser Soze? Have we met him? In Private Eyes, not all is as it seems. For example, in this photo, it looks like a fun party, right? There are sparkly hats!

You'll never expect how this party ends. It's fun.

How many of you figured out who Keyser Soze was in The Usual Suspects? I saw that film in theaters back in the day, and about 20 minutes in my friend leans over to me and says "I bet he did it" as a joke. He was right. I could have killed him, he ruined all the fun. We've been deliberately vague about Private Eyes so you can enjoy watching it unravel. But I will say this - pay attention. Some things are said for a reason.

See you at the theatre!