LIVE PERFORMANCE REVIEW:
DIRECTIONS: Review a play or musical on Digital Theatre Plus.
DUE: Friday, May 7th.
LENGTH: 1 – 2 pages (or more). Normal type size and margins, double-spaced.
IMPORTANT ADVICE:
The purpose of a review is to evaluate, to judge the overall accomplishment of the execution ofin this casea play or musical production. Log in to Digital Theatre Plus. Browse the sitethere is an overwhelming selection of plays and musicals. There are classics. There are new shows. There are productions from the 1970s; there are productions from the last few years. There are musicals. There are comedies. There are dramas. The only prohibition is that you may not watch a revue (a variety show of songs) or a magic show (very entertaining, but outside the realm of drama).
Jot nots as you watch your chosen showwrite down your general impressions, anything that stood out, things you liked or disliked, things that surprised you. You may have to watch the piece again.
STRUCTURE
1) Try to begin with a hook, a strong “lede” (that’s how “lead” is spelled in journalism lingo). As with all writing, you want to grab readers’ attention. However don’t get hung up on this–clear, concise writing is always better than clever writing. The purpose of the paragraph is overview. You must situate your reader. Introduce your playWhat is it? Who wrote it? Which production are you watching? (You cannot just write Hamlet; there are many productions.) Give a general impression of the work.
2) Background/context. Give a brief summary of the plot. Give relevant background about the artists involved with the show. Put the work in context as necessary–is it a first work? a mid-career work? a creative departure for the artist(s)? Was it developed through interviews? Inspired by current events? activism?, etc. (1-2 paragraphs.)
3) Your next paragraphs should evaluate the artistic accomplishments of the work. Be aware of the artist’s intentions. You’re not going to apply the standards of opera if you are reviewing a musical comedy.
4) Take into account the components of the art form. For example, you are reviewing a play so you will look at acting, directing, lighting, costumes, etc. You cannot look at everything! Evaluate what is significant! You may not evaluate the lighting in every play, but if you are watching A Streetcar Named Desire and the director and lighting designer have used light and shadow to light Blanche in order to accentuate her mental state, you might mention it.
You may also review the play itself: If it is a “classic” such as Hamlet, you might want to include some history of Hamlet productions. Feel free to critique the play: Did it defy your expectations? Surprise you? Frustrate you? REMEMBER TO BACK UP YOUR OPINIONS WITH EVIDENCE FROM THE WORK. If the play frustrated you, why? What elements of the play frustrated you?
5) Conclude your review with an overall assessment of the work. If the work is ongoing, you may make a recommendation about whether others should see it.
NB: These are general guidelines. Read reviews for guidance. A review that is too short will be insubstantial, and score low.
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