Jonathan Abarbanel, theater contributer to WBEZ (also, I'm sad to admit, playwright, respected critic, and former literary manager of a respected Chicago theater company) is uniquely capable of driving me insane. Occaisionally he gets me so riled I debate calling NPR and screaming about getting my membership fee (charged to my credit card every single month) back. Or threatening not to renew unless they get someone who isn't so damn offensive.
Of course, I've never done this.
This morning he attempted what I assume was satire. Except, it didn't work. At all. He was taking about the new law Governor Blagojevich signed that makes it a felony to disrupt a sporting event or performance. The basic point of this law is to send fans who jump the fence at US Cellular Field (you know the one, it used to be comiskey) to jail for a long time. But Mr. Abarbanel decided to "satirize" and went off on some tangent about ushers escorting patrons whose cell phones rang out of the theater. Then the ushers would apply some coercion--donate to our theater or we'll call the police and you'll be charged with a felony. Etc. I can't even write about it clearly he makes me so mad.

I haven't read any of his plays. I've never _read_ a review he wrote. But every time I hear him on the radio (which is about once every 2 weeks) I WANT TO SCREAM. His reviews are insipid. Sometimes even offensive. and they always make me think "gee, the NPR listernship probably thinks this guy is respected in the theater community, and he really seems to know what he's talking about".

Now, I certainly don't know everyone in Chicago theater. There are approximately 94 non-profit theater companies in Chicago, and 3 or 4 commercial ones. I've only worked for 6 or 7 of these. I have limited daily interaction with the cognoscenti, stuck as I am at UT. But I have never met an actual theater professional who professes any respect for Mr. Abarbanel's reviews or commentary.

This is not merely an illustration of the typical tension between artist and critic. Other critics are respected. Their opinions matter. Getting "Critics Choice" in the Reader brings artists and non-artists alike to shows.

(although, lets face it, most of us only see the shows our friends are in. Or designed. Or directed. Occaisional exceptions, like last years remarkable Terrrible Tragedy of Peter Pan courtesy of the House Theatre--which I think/hope EVERYONE saw--come about because the praise is so widespread and word-of-mouth so amazing. Hell, because of that production members of House Theatre are hot commodities all around the city and even people I know at Steppenwolf want to go out of their way to help those guys. but I digress).

Back to the rant. He makes me almost as angry as the Red Sox. Almost as sick of the system as when Mayor Daley bulldozed the airport. UGHHH

Thank you for listening. Please resume your normal activity.

- posted by Heidi @ 11:10 AM