More Campus Theater Reviews

Last Thursday, like every other Thursday on which my copy of The Crimson was actually delivered, there was included a substantial Arts section. Unfortunately, unlike every other Arts section, today's paper contained absolutely no reviews of shows currently playing at Harvard. While shows that have not opened yet cannot be adequately reviewed, and one weekend shows are no longer playing and so need no review, the Crimson has always published a review of two weekend shows on the Thursday after the shows opened. However, although there are two shows that opened last weekend and continue there run this weekend, The Crimson has opted to review neither A Streetcar Named Desire, in the Agasiz, nor Guys and Dolls, in the Cabot House JCR. However, more than half a page space was used to discuss The Living which has yet opened.

The Crimson reviews are important for two-weekend shows. Not only do they inform readers of which shows are running the following weekend, they provide an audience member's review of the quality of the show. I could comment on the quality and degree of theatrical knowledge of the average Crimson reviewer, that is another lengthy e-mail that I will save for another time. It is very valuable for the shows to have reviews published.

As the stage manager for Streetcar, I spend a lot of time talking to the producers. They have informed me that the Crimson never contacted them about getting tickets for reviewers, nor did they ask to come and take photos. I can only conclude that the Crimson decided for one reason or another simply not to review the show. While I cannot speak for Guys and Dolls, I suspect they could tell the same story.

I am extremely disappointed that The Crimson chose to review four films and two professional performances, (and essentially give away a half page of free advertising to The Living while disguising it as a story), while ignoring shows here at Harvard that Harvard students have worked hard to put together. I challenge you to explain this disregard for Harvard theater in the wake of Arts First weekend. Michael J. DeCleene '98