tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post8904933145287697644..comments2023-12-20T17:20:22.032-05:00Comments on 99 Seats: If You See Something...99http://www.blogger.com/profile/11955916620902994495noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-18979631981315776652009-12-25T19:06:01.247-05:002009-12-25T19:06:01.247-05:00Just want to chime in to say that Arthur Miller is...Just want to chime in to say that Arthur Miller is actually catching some flack in the blogosphere for being too ubiquitous in Chicago of late. He was the chosen playwright to focus on by a prominent one-playwright-per-season company here, as well as the standard smattering of "All My Sons," "Death of a Salesman," etc., etc. It's not just living female playwrights that get crap in Chicago for being overproduced in a single season.<br /><br />That said, I myself have mixed feelings about Ms. Ruhl. Personally, I love the style of theatre that she and others like her create. She can script very striking and engaging stage pictures and droll and poetic language. I feel like there are contemporary realistic plays dropping off every tree, so it's refreshing to see a playwright that eschews realism so completely get so much attention. I don't quite 'sneer at naturalism' as I think you put it in one post, 99, but I do think that some playwrights fall back on realism due to lack of imagination and inherited biases about the kind of theatre they ought to be writing, or the kind of theatre that's valid for any contemporary playwright to create. Her remark about modern playwrights trying to write too much like TV rang true to me, regardless of her actually viewing proclivities. Parts of Eurydice made me weep. Parts of it made me scratch my head. I don't fault Ruhl for her stage pictures, but I sometimes wish for a stronger narrative structure. But that's just my take- and people who call her work 'rubbish' as if it were objective truth instead of their own subjective opinion do irk me.<br /><br />I think she is artistically successful as a playwright because her art engenders strong reaction- there are people who are deeply moved by her work and find it beautiful and worth watching, and people that are filled with rage that it exists and asks to be taken seriously by an audience. May all our art result in so passionate a response.Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-19089835869511633062009-12-23T22:11:33.000-05:002009-12-23T22:11:33.000-05:00And I just said anonymous people on the internet c...And I just said anonymous people on the internet can be nice. Well, I knew it couldn't last...99https://www.blogger.com/profile/11955916620902994495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-5560135060468032492009-12-23T22:09:35.198-05:002009-12-23T22:09:35.198-05:00I clock you, 99, but I'll call Adam Rapp a big...I clock you, 99, but I'll call Adam Rapp a big fake any day of the internet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-87230276646445608632009-12-23T20:37:12.784-05:002009-12-23T20:37:12.784-05:00Thanks for the feedback! Much appreciated! The 24 ...Thanks for the feedback! Much appreciated! The 24 hours start now, yes?99https://www.blogger.com/profile/11955916620902994495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-62771108320777545212009-12-23T20:08:11.060-05:002009-12-23T20:08:11.060-05:00I'm new to your blog, but after reading this a...I'm new to your blog, but after reading this and the posts at Parabasis I'm wondering whether you can go a full 24 hours without some form of race-baiting. "Careerist" = "uppity"? "Knee-jerk" doesn't go far enough man.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-2775385963682929752009-12-23T12:40:41.288-05:002009-12-23T12:40:41.288-05:00Very fair, indeed. I agree with you. My original p...Very fair, indeed. I agree with you. My original point (ages ago now) was simply that there's real argument to be made about the work. That the Ruhl backlash isn't a bunch of jealous hysterics, as Isaac seemed to imply.Jack Worthinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075967483867693041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-27759130698838755672009-12-23T12:34:56.502-05:002009-12-23T12:34:56.502-05:00I know you don't buy it, but what I'm sayi...I know you don't buy it, but what I'm saying is that the focus is all wrong. Sarah Ruhl writes plays and tries to get them produced. Lots of people write plays I don't like, or think don't work and they don't get produced. What I agree most with in Art's adjusted comment is that she is of and in the system. Absolutely. The problem is the system. If the system was promoting work that I found more aesthetically pleasing in exactly the same way, I'd still have problems with the system.<br /><br />As for Tarell, well, wait a year or two and he'll be in all the same places.<br /><br />I'd rather focus on the parts of the system we can change, rather than tearing down the favored kid in hopes of getting a better favored kid, you know?99https://www.blogger.com/profile/11955916620902994495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-64346227180319502702009-12-23T12:33:48.918-05:002009-12-23T12:33:48.918-05:00Thank you for further clarifying at Parabasis.Thank you for further clarifying at Parabasis.Jack Worthinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075967483867693041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-83529375326308577862009-12-23T12:30:54.931-05:002009-12-23T12:30:54.931-05:00Thank you for the clarifications, 99, but I still ...Thank you for the clarifications, 99, but I still don't buy the thrust: this is all because the work doesn't measure up. I don't care who wrote it. In two years, when THE BROTHER/SISTER PLAYS are in every storefront, I'll be saying the same thing about McCraney, and I'll get told it's because he's black. Maybe I'll do it with Nachtrieb, too, but I don't know his plays yet. SR is the topic because SR is at the front of the line.Jack Worthinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075967483867693041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-76095122017081380582009-12-23T12:21:37.752-05:002009-12-23T12:21:37.752-05:00Thank you, Art, for posting that. And, as I did ov...Thank you, Art, for posting that. And, as I did over there, and probably should have made clearer here: I don't think you ARE a misogynist or a sexist. I just think that thread was sexist. It may be a fine distinction, but it's an important one.99https://www.blogger.com/profile/11955916620902994495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-56494018845757872492009-12-23T12:08:09.322-05:002009-12-23T12:08:09.322-05:00I put the following on the original thread, but th...I put the following on the original thread, but thought I would put it here too.<br /><br />After our exchange here, 99, and two e-mail exchanges with others, I am beginning to see hoe bad my choice of words was:<br /><br />____________________________<br /><br />Not that anybody cares, but to clear up my earlier comment...<br /><br />In going back and forth with people I see that my choice of words with "Careerist" was very bad. All I meant was that she is a practicing professional, functioning at a high level in her field, with all of the politics, publicity and problems that comes with that. In other words, she's in the system and of the system. To be VERY clear, I would say the same of Adam Rapp, Edward Albee, David Mamet, Theresa Rebeck, and on and on and on.<br /><br />As I pointed out to 99 in his comments section: I have criticized, as well as supported at times, things all of these people have said in interviews or on panel discussions. That was the whole point of my comment.<br /><br />I can only assure people I did not mean the standard definition of careerist which, I have found out, is all negative. I honestly didn't mean that, and in my defense, I kept saying, over and over that I didn't mean it in a negative way.<br /><br />I wish I could correct my comment and substitute Professional with Careerist, but it doesn't seem to make that much difference anyway.<br /><br />After all, 99 indicates that he still thinks I'm a misogynist.Arthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04845394320537913576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-36657271550391995112009-12-23T11:45:26.066-05:002009-12-23T11:45:26.066-05:00That is very, very much true. Sincerely.
You alwa...That is very, very much true. Sincerely.<br /><br />You always see through me. Dang it.99https://www.blogger.com/profile/11955916620902994495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-82636567263725296862009-12-23T11:31:05.028-05:002009-12-23T11:31:05.028-05:00Fair enough.
But I think you're just jealous ...Fair enough.<br /><br />But I think you're just jealous of me because of my success.Arthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04845394320537913576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-40430563875432253012009-12-23T11:26:36.424-05:002009-12-23T11:26:36.424-05:00Yes. I stand by that as a characterization of the ...Yes. I stand by that as a characterization of the thread. Absolutely.<br /><br />And, it's not just me equating "careerist" with all sorts of negative connotations, apparently. Particularly when flung at a woman.<br /><br />This isn't some PC crusade, but the reality is the reality.<br /><br />And the point is that it goes both ways. Your words, just like hers, just like mine, are open to interpretation and reaction. This is mine.99https://www.blogger.com/profile/11955916620902994495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-44973003641347783812009-12-23T11:19:49.343-05:002009-12-23T11:19:49.343-05:00Well, if you equate Careerist with Asshole, etc, t...Well, if you equate Careerist with Asshole, etc, then I can totally understand why you would be upset. And I'll agree with you, by the way, that it was the most important word. <br /><br />But understand, I wasn't criticizing Ruhl for <i>giving</i> an interview, I was criticizing Ruhl for what she <i>said</i> in the interview. <br /><br />Just as I have criticized Albee, Mamet, Rebeck, John Robin Baitz and a whole host of male and female playwrights, directors, critcs and actors over the years. All of them for things they have said in interviews or on panel discussions.<br /><br />You want to make publicity interviews off-limits for discussion? What, because they have to do them to fill the seats, they can get away with saying things that don't make sense?<br /><br />As far as being called something I don't like. I never ever called Sarah Ruhl a sneaky, uppity bitch, nor did Tom Garvey or Jack Worthing. <br /><br />Apparently you still stand by that characterization.<br /><br />Wow.Arthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04845394320537913576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-66565701540704204442009-12-23T11:04:37.793-05:002009-12-23T11:04:37.793-05:00Just to follow up, see here:http://en.wikipedia.or...Just to follow up, see here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Careerist99https://www.blogger.com/profile/11955916620902994495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-15685855759307790022009-12-23T10:47:57.344-05:002009-12-23T10:47:57.344-05:00Art, as I said to Jack in the comments at Parabasi...Art, as I said to Jack in the comments at Parabasis, my criticism is for the thread in general and not every single part is aimed at every single person. It was about the general tone of the comments and the criticism. Some parts are more true for some comments, some are more true for others, but since, in general, you seem to agree with each other (sometimes openly), I took it all as one. And I stand by that.<br /><br />As to the quote, in formatting, I'd meant to put in brackets to indicate that there was a condensation, but either didn't or it didn't print that way, but really, nitpicking about quotes is a poor argument.<br /><br />I've never heard the word "careerist" used as anything other than a pejorative. I can't think of a context where it's a nice thing to be called, certainly for an artist or a writer. I also can't think of a time when I've heard a male playwright who gave an interview touting their work <i>which was being produced</i> was called a careerist for saying, in essence, they thought their play had something to say that other plays weren't saying. It's not like she was lobby to have her play done when it wasn't. She was being interviewed about her play, as a selling point. But that's really neither here nor there.<br /><br />Given all of that, and the fact that it's the only word in your comment in all caps, I thought it was the most important word. Silly me. I guess there's some internet traditions I don't know.<br /><br />Please, point me to where I'm wrong. If I say someone's an ASSHOLE, but you know, other people are, too, so that's okay, is ASSHOLE suddenly not an insult? If I say someone is a SELF-PROMOTING LITTLE BITCH, but you know, some other people don't mind it, is SELF-PROMOTING LITTLE BITCH suddenly genteel? I'm not criticizing her for being one, but you know, she just is.<br /><br />I still stand by this post. I think you, Thomas and Jack are judging her, her work and her interviews by an unfair standard. And I do really think that part of that unfairness stems from her being a woman. Or you feel more comfortable saying it because she's a woman.<br /><br />I'm sorry you feel slurred. It must suck to have some of your words taken slightly out of context and used against you by someone who really doesn't know you. It certainly must. But "That doesn't make <b>ART</b> a bad person, or untalented, (and I don't begrudge anybody a living in the theatre,) but it certainly opens <b>ART'S</b> comments and <b>ART'S</b> work up for discussion, debate and, yes, disagreement."99https://www.blogger.com/profile/11955916620902994495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-22924190816468692332009-12-23T10:27:00.703-05:002009-12-23T10:27:00.703-05:00And, by the way, I don't remember really weigh...And, by the way, I don't remember really weighing in too much on the MFA discussion as of late. <br /><br />And, re-reading your post here, I am getting a little more angry. You, sir, are doing the slurring.<br /><br />You put in quotes: "she's positioned herself to have a successful career" I never said that. It is deliberately misleading on your part. <br /><br />My actual quote was:<br /><br />"She also takes the opportunity, as we all do, (only we do it from smaller platforms,) to tell everybody what is wrong with the state of theater today. Of course, she positions her own work as the solution to the problem - many others do this as well."<br /><br />But I suppose you read it the way you want to, right? And, well, never check a great quote twice.<br /><br />Yes, I WAS talking about the interviews she gives, where she feels fine criticizing the audience and other theater-practitioners.<br /><br />And that was my point. And it was the whole point of the post. <br /><br />Maybe the reason you "don't understand the substance of the complaint" is because:<br /><br />1. It wasn't a complaint.<br />2. You really didn't read it.Arthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04845394320537913576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-16881854843642031392009-12-23T10:13:01.633-05:002009-12-23T10:13:01.633-05:00Hi 99,
I respect you to, but I have no regrets, a...Hi 99,<br /><br />I respect you to, but I have no regrets, and no shame.<br /><br />As you have said in your blog comments section before. I don't have a setting to make things any more clearer than all caps.<br /><br />I DID NOT CRITICIZE SARAH RUHL FOR HAVING A CAREER OR FUNCTIONING AS A CAREERIST. <br /><br />Of course, Isaac's post was, as I figured it would be, a trap set up by a lazy and, quite frankly absurd position. <br /><br />Once again, no hard feelings. I feel no shame and will not, because, as Jack Worthing says, I didn't say what you are saying I said.Arthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04845394320537913576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-34434480793766826762009-12-23T10:09:03.921-05:002009-12-23T10:09:03.921-05:00I heart you.I heart you.joshcon80https://www.blogger.com/profile/13493227172042089467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-73763360140976817052009-12-23T02:05:22.043-05:002009-12-23T02:05:22.043-05:00I like you, 99. I really do. But you're puttin...I like you, 99. I really do. But you're putting words in my mouth. Please don't. See my response.Jack Worthingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6731242543254491491.post-15217697967889846902009-12-22T23:40:08.578-05:002009-12-22T23:40:08.578-05:00amen.amen.joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03078596999172070638noreply@blogger.com