Two reviews of To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday were published this week, providing this director with a mixture of joyful praise and bitter-tasting yet necessary critical feedback. Both reviews can be found online at www.pegasusnews.com.
The more positive review comes from Rick A. Elina, Theatre Critic for the North Dallas Gazette. Mr. Elina’s background as a playwright is evident in the way he pens his review, making even his rebukes a pleasure to read. Fortunately, rebukes are few and far between as he presents his experience of a joyful evening of theater and giving insightful and poetic perspectives on the story and each character’s journey. While taking issue with a few key scenes, for the most part Mr. Elina praises the cast, calling particular attention to Larry Jack Dotson (“superb”), Rebekah Kennedy (“extraordinary”) and Arlette Morgan (“divinely inspired”). Lastly, I was humbled to have a critic of Mr. Elina’s reputation consider my work to be “remarkable direction.”
Equally humbling, Clyde Berry of John Garcia’s The Column, a major online daily entertainment-related column in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, provided honest criticism from his perspective. He gives kudos for the set (decorated to perfection by David Jetre), lighting design (props to Gillian producer, Scott Croy) and Larry Jack Dotson’s “delightfully created” performance. He also grants that the story moves “at an effective pace, and the piece moves quickly.” Beyond that, Mr. Berry has a lot to say about what he didn’t like about the play. Some of his views clearly sprout from a clash in theatrical style; other opinions were a bit befuddling; but some of what he wrote was good criticism, a teaching aid for which I am grateful.
The polarized nature of the reviews might lead one to think Mr. Berry got stuck viewing an “off-night” for the production. However, both critics attended the very same performance. Such is the subjective nature of the critic. Often, our own preferences and expectations color our perception of any work we view with critical eyes. Who’s right, who’s wrong? The truth is each reviewer gave an honest interpretation of their experience of the show. One liked it, the other did not. Simple as that.
Meanwhile, there were many other critics whose opinions go undocumented. These are the kind people who came to our opening weekend, laughed and cried in all the right places, and left our show thanking the performers for a great time. If you have seen our show, I’d be interested in your feedback as well. If you haven’t yet come out to Mesquite, I invite you to do so and leave your insights, good and bad, here on this blog entry.
To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday runs for two more weekends with shows tonight and tomorrow at 8 PM, a Sunday matinee at 2:30 PM, and 8 PM shows next Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Only six performances left! More information can be found at www.mctweb.org. For reservations, e-mail reservations@mctweb.org or call 972-216-8126.
Mesquite Community Theatre continues their Silver Anniversary season with their second production, To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday, opening tonight at the Mesquite Arts Center. The Michael Brady play is my D/FW stage directing debut. Thursday’s preview audience responded very favorably with laughter and tears in all the right places. My cast, as always, exceeded my expectations and truly delivered heartfelt performances. I could not be more proud!
Friday, April 10, 2009 at 8 PM
All performances are held in the BLACK BOX THEATER at the Mesquite Arts Center (MAC), 1527 N Galloway Avenue in Mesquite, Texas. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for students, seniors and S.T.A.G.E. members, and $8 for children 2-6 years old. Cash or check only, please. No credit or debit cards accepted.
My good friend, Lois Sheeler, at Mesquite Community Theatre informs me that I have recieved MCT’s 2008 People’s Choice Award for my performance as Chris Keller in 
THIS WEEK, Mesquite Community Theatre announced auditions for their upcoming production of To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday by Michael Brady. Directed by Brad Stephens, auditions will be held over two evenings in February at the Mesquite Arts Center.
With only one more week of shows left, reservations for 
After several weeks of rehearsals, the actors are ready. Last night, we performed to a preview audience of friends and family. Tonight, we take to the stage in front of a sold-out crowd eagerly awaiting this year’s installment of a wildly popular Christmas tradition: Ebenezer Scrooge.
Brad Stephens 