From the Authors: Coding

If you come to my show and you see me afterwards, say only this: “I loved it.” It doesn’t matter if that’s what you really felt. What I need at that moment is to know that you care enough about me and the work I do to tell me that you loved it, not “in spite of its flaws,'' not “even though everyone else seems to have a problem with it,” but simply, plainly, “I loved it.”

-Stephen Sondheim (paraphrased by Jason Robert Brown in a 2012 blog post)

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“That show was so interesting.”

“It’s always good to see you work.”

“Congratulations.”

We all know what these sayings actually mean, right? We’ve all been a part of this community long enough to understand these are clever ways to skirt around saying “Great job!”... because “great job” is, apparently, undeserved.

I’ve done it before too. And, frankly, I can hardly wait to never do it again.

If I error, from now on, I will forever prefer to error on the side of Stephen Sondheim. 

As a friend, an acquaintance, or a fellow artist, I believe it is our duty to leap from our seat. Find or write them after the show to tell them (our version of) “I loved it,'' thank them (for we know how brave this endeavor is), and tell them a specific moment we thought was glorious.

For if we can’t find one thing to love about any given performance, I’m afraid that it is us that lacks artistic creativity.

Because if, and only if, we become trusted allies of the artist’s soul, mind, and bravery- THAT’S when our opinion should matter. Once we enter someone’s trusted artistic circle, by all means: push the art forward, challenge the thought process, and speak frankly. 

We can all be a part of helping art reach a higher peak. Let’s just make sure we’re putting ourselves in the arena alongside it and not critiquing from the sidelines. If we don’t, we’re just a disgruntled, untested, and lonely voice stifling the act of creation.

Which is maybe my problem with most theatre critics? 

I think that’s a different blog post… 

Until next time,

Peter

Here’s that glorious post from JRB about the power that we, particularly in our youth, unknowingly harness: http://jasonrobertbrown.com/2012/10/31/how-i-insulted-sondheim-and-the-wisdom-received-thereby/