New Milford 'Moonlight' is bananas and baloney

hee hee.

All that anger and bitterness over a FARCE Mr. Plemmons. Perhaps it is you that should mince off to Fire Island, loosen up a bit and realize what the word FICTION means.
PS: saw the production. Loved it. Laughed my butt off and took it for what it was worth...A Silly what if.

Apparently, Mr. Plemmons has no imagination and can't grasp the concept of "fiction." Oh, and Scarlett, Mr. Plemmons has minced off to fire island quite a bit. Trust me on this one. He wouldn't know "funny" if it fell out of the sky, landed on his face and started to wiggle.

Differences of opinion are always welcome.
Personal attacks by anonymous writers is cowardly.
Why not sign your name to what you write - as I do.

Ches Plemmons

As producer, I don't care to see ad hominem attacks on Mr. Plemmons. While I thought the review was overly harsh, it is one opinion; other critics have loved piece while still others have dislike it. We are very fortunate in that regard to have a wide array of critical opinion with some six critics attending each production.

Like the review or not, Mr. Plemmons has kept a theatre arts section alive in this paper, despite the News-Times efforts to kill it by making it increasingly smaller. Without his Opening night column and reviews, keeping theatre thriving in this area -- especially these days where there are endless entertainment opportunities -- would be all the more difficult.

So if you did see the production, post about what you enjoyed or didn’t. Snarky comments are not appreciated or welcome.

Richard Pettibone
TheatreWorks

Ye gods what wonderful censorship software on this forum.
The word above that is "****" is "k i l l" it.

As a performer, it is always disappointing when your performance doesn't meet someone's expectations. Mr. Plemmons has given me reviews of my performances in the past, ranging from very poor to very good. I have appreciated each and every one. How else would I grow as a performer if I din't listen to feedback. Though I may not agree with all Mr. Plemmons has said about the current production, but as it was stated, It is/was his opinion. I do not delude myself to think that every person who walks into the theatre is going to enjoy what I do. We have recieved a broad range of reviews and feedback for this current production. Ultimately, it is up to the audience member to decide whether they like what was performed. It is their view point and may not be that of others. My best advice I guess is to see the show and see if you agree with Mr. Plemmons view.

I attended "Moonlight and Magnolias" last night- I thought it was very entertaining and I agree with Mr. Pettibone that the review was a bit harsh.

As far as 'snarky' commentary goes - you can't control anyone's mouth but your own - just check out anything on this forum that deals with immigration and see what kind of first amendment abuse that elicits. Makes you imagine the contributors wearing white sheets and hoods whilst sitting at their keyboards.

Mr. Plemmons may feel this portrayal was an exaggeration of character,(last I checked, isn't that what makes a comedy funny?) but I overheard another theatergoer say to a companion, "I was married to a screenwriter for many years- you'd be surprised how true-to-life this play is!"

While I don't imagine that this is exactly how "Gone With the Wind" was born, it's an imaginative and entertaining what-must-have-happened-behind -those-closed-doors scenario that's not meant to be a documentary; I took the author's artistic license into account and just enjoyed the show. All who were involved with this production - both onstage and off - deserve kudos.

I continue to be impressed that, over many years, TheatreWorks has met the challenge of mounting productions of professional quality on a community theater budget with actors and technicians who work on a volunteer basis.

Anyone who has ever been directly involved in community theater or is a regular patron of local productions knows how difficult it is to maintain a level of creative control on a shoestring and level of personal commitment that entails for all involved. The fact that this theater chooses unusual, challenging productions on a consistent basis (taking chances other theaters would never take!) and pulls them off in style (and in the cultural hub of New Milford, no less!) is nothing short of a miracle.

With everyone tightening their belts and cutting unnecessary spending, I do hope people realize what an asset ALL community theater is in this area (most of which operate in a state of perpetually precarious fiscal health) and what a bargain a ticket to a live show is at slightly more than double admission to a movie.

I would love to see the News-Times do a feature piece on the area's local theaters. The public needs to be made more aware of these valuable cultural assets in their communities so that they don't become endangered. We need to reach those who think experiencing culture involves sitting on the couch with a remote control in hand.

For the record, while I have been active in past local theater productions, concerts, and art events, I was not a part of this production - unless you count providing a laugh-track for the actors last night - which was a very easy job!

I.

"but here they attack the play -- and the set -- like a gay Three Stooges. "

Is Mr. Plemmons calling them homosexuals? If so....why is he using the word gay in a derogatory manner?
Or were they like happy Three Stooges?
Please clarify Mr. Plemmons.

"Selznick, played by Thomas Libonate, minces around the stage in what looks like a tryout routine for a Fire Island summer show. "

I should have read further. It does seem like Mr. Plemmons is anti-gay. Shame on the Newstimes for printing this.