by Darwyn Carson — With an eye and a heart dedicated to cohesive connection and support of local theatre, Better Lemons has become a premiere go-to review aggregate hub on the web.
To that end, a Theatre Critic’s Panel was convened on Saturday, June 2, hosted by Better Lemon’s co-founders Enci and Steve Box.
Gracing the stage of Theatre West — “the oldest continually-operating theatre company in Los Angeles” — were 11 critics and reviewers who took all questions from and offered their opinions to the lively theatre community.
The full house was replete with Hollywood Fringe Festival 2018 participants; equally represented by the production teams and cast members from many of the 380-plus registered Fringe shows.
The panel consisted of, mostly, online arts and entertainment websites; although one or two panelists also cover shows for print media. Below, in alphabetical order, are the critic’s who participated:
- Broadway World – Shari Barrett
- Stage Raw – Katie Buenneke
- LA Theatre Bites – Patrick Chavis
- The TVolution – Ernest Kearney
- ShowMag – Leigh Kennicott
- Los Angeles Beat – Monique LeBleu
- Tin Pan LA – Ryan M Luevano
- LA Weekly – Bill Raden
- Edge Media Network – Dale Reynolds
- The Hollywood Reporter – Jordan Riefe
- This Stage LA – Michael Van Duzer
Here are just a few of the questions presented during the, two-and-a-half-hour plus, Q &A session:
- Is there a specific genre you focus on when looking for a show to review?
- How should folks contact you and what do you look for in that initial contact?
- Should they contact the reviewer directly or through their imprint?
- In what way can they better attract the attention of the critic to get them to see their shows?
- What are the no-no’s when reaching out to a critic?
- What’s the difference between a reviewer and a critic?
- What excites the critic about storytelling shows?
There was a sense of the panel coming to an end, only because the dance cards of those in attendance were previously filled-in with obligations to Fringe plays for the day: either to see or be seen in. However, the air virtually vibrated as inspiration cups were refilled and forward-march energy tanks topped off.
There’s a lot to celebrate artistically in Los Angeles. After all, it’s Fringe Month in Hollywood.
Below is a Soundcloud Audio Podcast of the Critic’s Panel, courtesy of Better Lemons.com.
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