Yale Daily News

There are exactly three students involved in the production for whom this article's author doesn't have spiteful things to say. Two of them are his facebook friends.

Perhaps if Zachary Fuhrer knew more people in the cast his appraisal of the production would be different?

I find this article really really surprising. I haven't laughed that hard in a show in a long time... and though Mein Fuhrer didn't like it, I'm pretty sure everyone else in the theater loved it too (given that they were um, *laughing* and saying how good it was.)

So... what show was Fuhrer watching?

Given the way the Dramat has been stonewalling the YDN recently, I'm completely unsurprised by the general tenor of this review. The writer's claim that he is leaving "directorial issues aside" is just laughable.

For the record, there was a full standing ovation at the end of last night's performance of The Full Monty (Thurs 10/13).
There are a lot of people who would strongly disagree with this review.

I saw it last night and I have to completely disagree with this review. Sure the script wasn't the most transcendent piece ever written, but it was a lot of fun. the audience loved it and the cast seemed like they were genuinely having a great time. This is way too harsh and obviously this reviewer has no desire to have a fun time at a production.

This is an example of a poorly written review. The author sacrifices clarity for flamboyance, which undercuts his credibility and makes him come off as nothing more than mean-spirited and unknowledgeable.

This review is absurd. I was incredibly impressed by the acting, singing, and overall production quality of the show. This article seems like the work of a pissed off reporter rather than someone objectively reviewing the show. On Wednesday night, the entire audience (not half a dozen) gave a standing ovation. Way to get your facts right, YDN.

Singing talent was great. Stripping talent was better.

You realize he only criticized two actors and praised three. The dude's criticism was spot on...this show has a bad script and a weak score, and yale students could have done a better job than the professionals the dramat hired.

I don't think standing ovations mean much anymore. The kids sitting next to me stood up b/c the people in front of them were standing and they wanted to see the bows. Meanwhile they murmured to themselves "Why didn't they pick a better play?" and laughed when the gay subplot came up.

I heard the herald reviewer left at intermission.

#6. This is the most credible theatre review i've seen in a while. His criticisms are spot on, and the reviewer clearly knows what he's talking about and makes it an enjoyable piece to read. Sure you can disagree with his points, it is his perspective, but don't try to shortchange his writing.

Kid's got cajones to criticize the dramat, but I can't say they didn't have it coming. I heard some YDC people were cracking up about the review.

This is the most ludicrous review I have ever read. Also, Idon't think you shoudl comment on the director, set designer and costume designer if they left the production. You are a ridiculous person and thankfully no one outside of Yale will ever hire you to write anything that wil be published as clearly you have no insight into reality.

You can't hate on the truth. This review is spot on. It's funny... because it's true.

I think the reviewer NOT knowing people in the play improves his credibility (as opposed to undermining it); last time I checked, we weren't 7th graders in a Westchester suburb--the purpose of the YDN reviews isn't for people to give hollow compliments to their already over-coddled friends.

This is clearly a review written by someone who a) knows theatre and b) isn't part of the dramat oligarchy. Most of the other comments on this post--as well as much of the theatre scene here in general--are sickeningly self-congratulatory.

Don't get me wrong--there is an immense amount of theatre talent here at yale, some of whom even (unluckily for them) participated in the full monty---but when a play strikes out, let's not automatically defend it out of thoughtless habit or (perhaps even worse) utter ignorance. We need to instead, and as Mr. Fuhrer accomplished quite nicely, tell it how it is.

And ultimately, this is really what it means to be a good friend: speaking the truth, so that our peers can grow and fulfill their potential next time.

Criticism serves two roles: to educate the reader through expert opinion AND to accurately portray the artistic experience as a whole. Fuhrer achieves the former but neglects the latter. Technical faults and vapid dialogue aside, this was a wildly entertaining production.

This play was SO MUCH FUN. to saw miles' performance lacked feeling is absolutely ridiculous. he's amazing.

i actually LOVED everything about this play. I don't understand what play zach was watching.

I would characterize this review as highly accurate in both its praise and its criticism; however, I think the admirable aspects of "Monty": Pailet, Caldwell, McCollum, and the fabulous Hannah Corrigan were more than enough to create an overall enjoyable show.

The Dramat must learn to take the criticism everyone else faces. "WELLLL, THE AUDIENCE REALLY ENJOYED THE SHOW" is not an appropriate response to legitimate concerns that the lead actor was vapid and painful to watch or that the sound was horrific, or that "The Creation of the World" was abysmal. Jacoby is clearly a talented actor who had to play a poorly written cliche: I can't help but wonder if the presence of a director could have corrected his performance in the last days of rehearsal.

I saw the show twice because I had several close friends who performed in or worked on The Full Monty. I enjoyed myself immensely, but I have to say that this review is not too far from the truth.

A play can be enjoyable without being high art. The Full Monty's production values were indeed questionable; the sound system, laughable. Sure it was entertaining, but Miles Jacoby's wooden performance and shrill vocals and Michael Laskin's inner ear problems exist. I'm glad someone had the nerve to admit it, and I'm glad the reviewer didn't sacrifice his journalistic duty to tell the truth to avoid hurting people's feelings.

It's a Dramat production. We expect better. End of story.

It seems that Mr. Fuhrer has had several of his friends post responses to the rebuttals of his review. Great that these people have found a club of their own kind, but what sickens me is that I have now discovered that there are a core of people at this school who are simply actively looking for flaws in student theater. And they all must work at the YDN.

I have seen Yale Dramat's last four musicals and on Saturday night the audience jumped to their feet to give the actors and company kudos for a job well done. The cast rose to the occasion for Saturday's sold out performance. Overcoming biased articles in the YDN and stonewalling the reporters served the cast and crew well. The show's the thing...credit goes to the Yale Dramat for taking the "high road" and not caving into YDN to trash those who were being difficult. It paid off. Great Show!

When I first read the review, I could not understand why the reviewer was so negative. I had a few criticisms, too. But there was so much that was good! After reading these comments, I feel better. At least some other audience members were in the same theater I was.

This is absolutely ridiculous; while it may be true that there were some technical issues, there was definitely not an absence of pure entertainment on stage that carried through to the audience. I go to plays to have a great time and enjoy what I am watching. Usually, this encompasses the necessary influences of sound, lights, and so forth (after all, how can you enjoy a performance where you are straining to hear and see?). However, all things considered, this show was fantastic and the performers and students involved put on an entertaining production. Audience: very entertained, not "forcing" laughs by any means...probably closer to trying to hold them in, if anything. Try to focus on what matters next time, Zach. Oh, and I know for a fact that you did not see Creation of the World, so well done on creating your own credible opinions.

#17: As I am NOT one of Zach's friends, I can honestly say that his review was completely legitimate based on the reasons he gave.

I truly shocks me that students who are so talented at all aspects of theater can be so allergic to criticism of their work.

Sure, Fuhrer's criticism was harsh, and many feel it was overly so. But that doesn't change the fact that he brought up valid points, and any serious theater students should be able to accept criticisms. That's how it works in the real world.

I'm a "dramat people" and I have no idea what you're talking about with Gabe and his actors. Explain?

#15 I can't help but wonder if you are the director that was fired?!? All these comments are about the actual performance and an anonymous poster keeps bringing up the fired director . That was last week's non-news...get over it. They did.

so I am one of those "Dramat people" and I have no idea what your'e talking about with the directorial controversy for Creation. Explain?

I am not the director that was fired.

#26 not all dramat members know everything that happens in the rehearsal room of every dramat show. Im sure there are people who worked on creation that dont know what you are talking about. Out of respect for the people involved the people who knew probably tried to keep the incident quiet.

#15... If Jacoby couldn't find anything in the script that he could use to better his character in the 4 or 5 weeks the director was with the actors in the rehearsal room, I'm sure she wouldn't have had any brilliant breakthroughs and insight to give him during tech for the show. Jacoby is great, and he did a good job with this part, the character is just boring and unlikable compared to the other characters in Monty.

I also doubt the fired director cares enough about what the yale daily news is saying about her to post comments supporting herself

Sick article bro. Hit it on the nubbin.