Style Weekly
Stephen Smithers
Member since Nov 14, 2011
Recent Comments
Re: “Swamp Things”
Hi Jason,
Wow! Thanks for the reply.
While I completely understand your space constraints in your printed version of the paper, I do feel that you should be more timely in publishing reviews on the website. As a former producer, it is extremely important to get the word out as quickly as possible on shows and anything Style Weekly can do to help support the Richmond theatre scene should be done. I do appreciate the printed version of your paper, but I usually am able to only read the online version as I do not live close enough to Richmond to get the hard copy. When I moved back to this area, I searched for the Richmond culture and arts source and your paper claims to be that source. I just feel you could do better for your readers by posting info faster on the website and then printing the "most relevant" information when space allows. Just my two cents!! Thanks.
Re: “Swamp Things”
Hi Jason,
Wow! Thanks for the reply!
While I completely understand your space restrictions on the print version of the paper, I do feel you should publish on the website quicker to better support the Richmond theatre scene. As a former producer, it really is important to get the word out on shows as soon as possible and anything Style Weekly can do to help with that is important. When I moved back here, I searched for the source for the Richmond Arts Scene, and your paper claims to be that source. I do appreciate the content in the printed paper, but I usually am only able to read the website version as I don't live close enough to Richmond to get the print version. It seems to me that you could publish reviews in a more timely manner online and then print the "most relevant" reviews when space allows. This is just my two cents!! Thanks.
Re: “Swamp Things”
I agree with this 100%. It is the best show I've seen in a long time! I do wonder why it takes Style Weekly so long to post these reviews. It begs the question "Why Even Bother?" I think it's unacceptable that the local culture paper can't get the word out better about the arts in Richmond in a timely manner. UNACCEPTABLE! Anyway...
Hurry up and see this show. It's been running since I saw it in the BEGINNING of November. I believe it closes in a week. You do not want to miss this!!!
Re: “Of Voice Mail and Verdi”
I think that theatre owners should invest in cell phone signal blockers and place them around the theatre. They should be turned on during the performance and turned off prior to the show, during intermission, and after the show. That will solve the problem, right? It shouldn't be so hard to incorporate the technology where cell phones should be prohibited.
Just my two cents...
Re: “Regulated to Death”
I do think the priorities are wrong by attacking the club owners. Many of them work very hard to provide a fun and safe social outlet which is extremely vital to a thriving entertainment district. The club owners have a responsibility to ensure that noise and safety policies are followed. But let's remember to hold the people who commit the crimes responsible, not the owners of the establishments bringing in top dollar of tax revenue for the city. The adults who commit the acts of violence or who act inappropriately outside (or inside for that matter) of the establishments need to accept the consequences of his or her actions. It's time to revisit personal responsibility and stop ruining activities for the community at large.
I remember about 10 years ago the closing of a few nightclubs downtown due to a drug investigation and sting. The police and city called the very classy establishments (Caffeine's and others) outlets for drug use. I remember thinking how rediculous it was to close the businesses because now the city has lost a great restaurant/ social space downtown and the drug sellers and abusers are now back out in the community where no authorities can find them doing something illegal. Closing the establishments doesn't stop the drug problems, it just moves them to another location. I fear that the city may try this approach again and start to try to close the clubs downtown which is the wrong approach. It was proven before and will be proven again. It's about personal responsibility and consequences folks.
Re: “Leader of the Pack”
Mr. Griset,
Do you find the need to always find something negative to report. Mentioning items such as a set change that gets caught in light doesn't necessarily need to be mentioned unless they happened so often that the show looked unprepared or unrehearsed. I hope you are using judgement when mentioning these things, as it affects your credibility as a critic if those issues are simply a gaffe. I do think it's important to mention issues of poor craft, but not a simple mistake. I am sure you can tell the difference as you often make astute observations in other areas of the productions you review. Thanks for listening.
Other Publications
Re: “It Takes a Village”
Rich, please remember to critique the lighting, scenery, sound and costumes and the designers. Those elements are just as pivotal to productions and should be mentioned in a thorough review. I feel sometimes those elements can make or break a show for me and would like to hear some feedback from a professional such as yourself. Thanks!