Comments on: Peter Marks is gone. Now what?

By: Digby

Digby — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 16:19:22 +0000

In reply to Nicole Hertvik. I know for sure at least two companies I have worked with who responded to a request for a comp. No one working box office recognized the individual when he showed up to see the show.

By: Nicole Hertvik

Nicole Hertvik — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 02:10:16 +0000

In reply to Pamela Roberts. Yes! I also love the work of Robert and Day Eight. I thought about adding them here but decided to limit it to media outlets creating news specifically about DC theater.

By: Pamela Roberts

Pamela Roberts — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 17:58:43 +0000

I also want to applaud the great work of Robert Bettmann and Day Eight who anticipated the need for more trained critics and more venues to publish DC arts criticism. Day Eight’s arts journalism fellowship, annual arts journalism conference, and summer intensive are wonderful opportunities that strengthen the pool of local arts journalism.

Pam Roberts, BroadwayWorld

By: Nicole Hertvik

Nicole Hertvik — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 16:37:47 +0000

You make a good point about the ethical ambiguity in Unprofessional Opinion’s choice to remain anonymous. I do wonder if they do get comp tickets or not. My guess is that they are someone with another role in the industry who doesn’t want their reviews to conflict with their “day job.” But that’s just a guess.

And yes, the Post’s theater coverage during Peter Marks’ tenure was problematic for all the reasons you cite. I’m hoping that Rhoda Feng’s recent byline in the Post indicates that they will include more diverse voices going forward?

Thank you for weighing in!

By: Digby

Digby — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 16:21:17 +0000

I am sorry that you endorse Unprofessional Opinion’s blog. Critics should stand by their opinions by putting their name on their writing. As a professional in the DC theatre world, my name is on my work and I have to stand or fall by the quality of that work. They should too. I tell any company I work with I am not interested in giving a comp to someone who chooses to be anonymous when reviewing our work.
On another note, while I am very sad the Post appears to be withdrawing support for our vibrant scene, I do not mourn the loss of Peter Marks whose view of DC theatre was myopic at best. He ignored some of the most interesting companies in town and the theatre department overall does a poor job of representing the depth and breadth of our offering, focusing on a much smaller number of companies and sometimes even giving one company more than one review or article despite citing lack of staff and space for the spotty coverage. If Marks is replaced I hope it will be with someone who can see beyond the big budgets and cushy seats of the larger houses, not to mention focus on DC rather than NY. Those of us who are interested in NY can easily access reviews in other media.