Opinionist: Family

Del Signore's reviews are usually on target, so it is disappointing that he brought attention to Ms. Wright's age as though it's a blight that she's middle-aged. Why an actor shouldn't be middle-aged doing downtown theatre is a mystery to me but something tells me a man would NEVER be singled out in this fashion due to being 50-or 60-something. I saw the play on closing night and Wright does not stand out from the cast as in any way not fitting in at all. Please do not write reviews that extol such ageism and insult middle-aged women as "hobbyists." Actors in Equity should complain to their union about this insulting and unfair criticism.

I know i've come late to this discussion, but I want to say that I read a previous review of this show, which no one commented on, which said the two young women 'both deserved to be stars'. It mentioned a song (written by Mr. Giarmo I believe) sung "thrillingly" by Ms. Wright and did not attribute the work to her! THAT review "disappeared" Ms Wright --which is what really happens to women over 40.

I'd enjoy the reviewer saying "Hey! A star is born to me! and I discovered her, not Ben Brantley but me JDS! Where have I been? And happy am I to be acquainted now with this comic jewel!"

I hardly ever comment but felt it necessary to let JDS know that he made a mistake and should take responsibility for it. HIs reviews are generally interesting and seem even handed, but this one is incoherent and offensive.

I'm sure you're a good man John, and you've given me many lulz with your other writing, but you're wrong here and hope you make it right.

I second Gerry's request for John to cite some Off-Off Broadway productions that "sink" because of age-appropriate casting. If anything I would imagine that one would find it refreshing to see a middle-aged person play a middle-aged character in a "no-pay off-off production" (BTW, how do you know that this production is no-pay?). I am always excited when a director of one age - in this case, in her thirties - is not afraid to work with actors outside her peer group and age range in order to best serve the production.

I also wonder if he would have been so quick to comment on age if the performer in question were male. The fact that he immediately qualifies his description of Wright as "senior" with a statement like "she's in impeccable shape, for one thing" harks to the double standard that women are assessed by in all professions - the performing arts being no exception - that prioritizes physical appearance above accomplishment and action. In an earlier interview with "over 50" Harvey Fierstein, Del Signore writes :

It says a lot about Harvey Fierstein's distinctiveness that it's almost impossible to even say the name 'Harvey' without thinking of that endearingly gravelly voice.

One actor is "distinctive" and the other assumed to be an "out-of-practice hobbyist" but is redeemed initially for her "impeccable shape" before her "incisive intelligent humour."

In case you didn't know, I worked on this show - choreographed, scored and performed in it - and it saddens me that this seemingly positive review had to be marred by such ignorant and offensive statements. Del Signore came to this production with a lot of prejudice, and when called out on it, attempts to ascribe his remarks to the inherent ageism of the theatrical industry. Hopefully these comments will serve as a wake-up call to the theater community on the credibility of this man as a reviewer and someone who has any awareness of what is happening in downtown theater today.

This review ricochets into so many different directions that it's impossible to classify, but why bother anyway?

What an awful opening. Older actors usually bring down the quality of a production? I call bullshit. More often, I see experienced, talented older actors who are forced to be in productions that are beneath their talents. There are hardly any good parts for older actors, so they take what's available. And why should he make a big deal about a 60-something actress playing the role of the MOTHER? Jesus H. Christ.

John Del Signore's review was muddled, scattered, and biased. Obviously, this is not a talent of his. Could someone please keep this guy from writing any more reviews? Please?

I might add that Comic Book Guy's comment is equally if not more offensive. No surprise: he writes under a fake name.

Offensive, or common sense? Fact 1: The world has a desperate shortage of food. Fact 2: The world has an overabundance of old people. Fact 3: When properly cured, olds are as delicious as mesquite beef jerky. Draw your own conclusions, but I have a feeling you'd be simply delicious in a casserole.

Not that your rant would be any more legit if this were her first theatrical production but... Did you notice Rae has OBIE? Listen, I am under 30 and not an OLD FAILURE yet, so I don't know, but have the sense that Rae is among those-- like Deb Margolin, Peggy Shaw, Black Eyed Susan, and MANY others-- who have been committed to, and indeed helped create what might be called "DOWNTOWN THEATER".

Is it worth me mentioning that the venue where this was presented, The Ontological, belongs to Richard Foreman, a major "AVANT GARDE" director? Aw well, old Richie didn't make it Broadway. Too bad, so sad, let's shoot the old mut, put him out of his hobbyist misery.

(How many bullets do you think it will take?)

"Downtown". You're talking about a playground for boring post graduates to dick around before getting serious. I'm talking about a parallel universe.

Finally, your review was nearly experimental in its NON-LINEARITY, EMBRACE OF NON SEQUITUR, RIDICULOUSNESS, and--wait for it-- REJECTION OF THE OLD.

Live long and prosper.

I too saw this play, and have to say Wright was surprisingly clean and articulate for a woman her age. It was a nice change of pace, but I agree that in general the olds really don't belong on stage. Off Broadway seriously needs some death panels.

What like older people can't speak or something? What?

This whole article is really weird.

Also what credibility does JDS have as a theater critic anyway? I'm guessing none?

You're dense.

See, this is why citations are important.

Well, John, then perhaps you should write a piece about how unfair it is that few "old" people get to work in off-off Broadway. I agree that many actors are forced to turn away from theater and go on to something else. There's only so long a person can face constant rejection.

I read your piece SEVERAL times. I'd love to know which shows cast so-called "over-the-hill" actors who ruined the play. Maybe it was the director's fault for not pushing them toward better acting or maybe the age was irrelevant and your agist remarks are the result of a person who judges people by the outside. Who cares if Wright is an AARP card-carrier? She's playing the mother and not an adolescent, first of all. To assume she's unprofessional because she has grey hair merely demonstrates you as a theater critic are judgemental. It appears Wright is indeed an Obie-winner and a teacher of acting at NYU.

So I guess we don't have to worry that Wright isn't one of those retirees just trying to keep herself busy since she's so old she has nothing better to do but dabble in a bit of downtown theater.

Let's face it, John. What you wrote is offensive and indeed unacceptable. You would NEVER write about race that way but apparently age is something you feel can be attribute to poor quality acting. You couch it in such a way that you blame the conditions of the theater world, which is akin to saying that non-white actors are usually not that good because they don't get lead roles. Don't blame the actor on the racist, agist, and limited conditions of the acting field.

I am sure that everyone has found this comment offensive, not just me. Rather than defend yourself, I suggest you edit the piece. Wright deserves better. Your ultimately complimenting her doesn't change the fact that you call attention to her age. Hello, she's playing the MOTHER!

This so-called review by John Del Signore should be removed for its blatant age discrimination. His comments literally sickened me due to his prejudice against non-young people in general. First of all, Ms. Wright is hardly a "senior citizen." She's an actress, a woman, and a human being. She appears to be around 60 years old maximum, not exactly a "senior citizen." The term in itself should not be part of a balanced review anyway.

Actors should not be grouped according to their age, race, and gender. The best person for the job who fits the character should be hired. Actors who are in various categories should not be singled out and criticized for merely being who they are. Del Signore's absurd comment about senior citizen actors "who are out-of-practice hobbyists, not professionals" is totally a put-down of the numerous actors of all ages who are out there trying to ply their trade. Why would younger actors be any less likely to be "hobbyists" than older actors? How do you rate someone as "professional" or a "hobbyist" anyway? The acting profession is a tough one for young and old and to label age groups as unprofessional should NOT be allowed in print. Were you to state that Hispanics or blacks were unprofessional and hobbyists due to their being fewer in number and in a smaller pool and perhaps out-of-practice, you'd be taken down immediately. I ask the editors of the Gothamist to remove this prejudiced "Opinionist" who obviously has a very narrow view of the world. I look forward to his middle age when he will stay home and knit rather than pollute the world with his obviously mediocre talents as a writer and theatre reviewer.

P.S. what in the world is wrong with that photo?

By the way, does John Del Signore feel worried when he attends plays, whether off-off Broadway or on Broadway and kids are in them? Does he feel better when only twenty-something and thirty-something middle-class actors are acting all the parts, even if the part is for a child or an elderly person?

Reread the first sentence again, and my comment above if it's still not clear that you're completely misinterpreting what I wrote. I'm not even sure you actually read past the first sentence, because I go on to say -- and I quote -- "It's hard to say whether Rae C. Wright is in fact an AARP card-carrier—she's in impeccable shape, for one thing." Again, I'm talking about the realities of the no-pay, off-off theater world, which weeds out actors as they age and turn to other occupations.

Man, without even reading your review, that photo makes the whole thing look like a mess.

What a weird way to start a review. Who cares how old the actor is? Why would her age mean that her performance is any less than the other actors? I'm glad that she was a pleasant surprise for your ageist outlook on life. Your narrow view of life shouldn't color what I think - but I'm not sure - is a good review.

I agree. It's a really off-putting way to start a review. If that's the way he felt then fine, but at least attempt to be articulate about it instead of being flat out insulting.

It has nothing to do with the ability of elderly professional actors and everything to do with the economics of NY theater. My point is that the further you stray from Broadway, the more likely you are to find senior citizen actors who are out-of-practice hobbyists, not professionals. The pool of talented young unemployed actors is obviously greater than the pool of talented unemployed older actors, whose ranks diminish as they age and seek other employment. Try casting a no-pay off-off production with parts for actors over 50 and you'll see what I mean.