[rocky] Professionalism killed the Rocky star

[jrising]

There was a fantastic discussion at the Rocky party about the state of the cast. The vocal consensus was this:

There's an undercurrent of over-professionalism at the show. In small but definite ways, the drive for professionalism stifles some of the fun of the show and makes working at it a chore. Because the show isn't as much fun, it isn't as good, and the audience has noticed. Both directors, theater 3, and Acid's absence were blamed for these problems.

It's so tough to disentangle real harmful effects from nostalgia. So, tell me: do you agree? Have we gained the world and lost our soul (or raised the bar and broken our backs)? The drive for screen accuracy can push us to do better, but if it drives out jokes and connecting with the audience-- if our performance just duplicates the film-- do we want it? The cast members used to work up the audience waiting outside before the show. Does anyone do that now? We have such a great group, and we can fix these problems, but maybe not without big changes.

Feel free to post anonymously or email me separately.

Comments

[lobster-magnet.livejournal.com]

I'm not entirely sure that I qualify to partake in this discussion as I am perhaps the most involved outsider that could possibly exist in the world of FBC, but on the other hand I may have an interesting perspective.

I've been the GM at Harvard Square for exactly 50 weeks (June 9th is my 1 year Rocky Anniversary so to speak), and I can safely say that Rocky is the best part of my job right now. I look forward to Saturday night all week! For those of you who have never seen the theatre on a regular day, it doesn't exactly have the same charm as it does when it is crawling with fishnets and crossdressers.

When I first started, I had been prepared for Rocky. I knew what I was getting myself into, and I was excited about it. Any AMC has current releases, and the same popcorn bags, and the same questionable home office, but no other AMC has Rocky. All of a sudden I was at the helm of the most unique theatre out of the entire circuit of over 400 theatres.

I was dissapointed at first to find that with the exception of Gary, no one seemed to be friendly with me. Rocky people avoided me, were quiet around me, and seemed generally uneasy around me. This could have become a very bad situation as I am very territorial and do not like the idea of people being awkward toward me in my theatre. I wondered if I would grow to resent Rocky for thinking it had special priveledges that would challenge my authority. I did not like the prospect of not feeling welcome in my own building. I could not have been more foolish...

Instead, Rocky turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me. Eventually people started loosening up as they realized I am not a corporate robot and made me feel more welcome. I quickly began to realize that Rocky people, for the most part, are really kind and friendly once they open up. Right around when I realized this was when it happened...

Rocky gave me perhaps the greatest gift of all: the love of my life. I had a crush on Jessica (Peaches, for those of you who don't know her real name) since I had started at Harvard, but never had the courage to talk to her. I figured she was way out of my league. I mean, why would a girl who is cute and sexy at the same time, as well as funny and intelligent, want to talk to me? I am not nearly as interesting as those who are directly involved in the show!

Eventually I started to think I might be wrong. I was thrilled when she came up to me one night and introduced herself. With the exception of Gary, she was the first person to do so. Turns out she was developing a crush on me too. It only took a few months from then for us to both figure it out. The rest, as they say, is history...

It makes me sad to find that there is turmoil within the social sphere that is Rocky. It has become something that is very important to me, and I would defend it to the death to my home office if they ever had a problem. My only regret so far is that I feel like I don't know many people at Rocky nearly as well as I would like to. Hopefully I will be able to change that!

[grypes.livejournal.com]

I keep telling Peaches the three of us should hang out sometime. I just haven't effectively hung out with her at all for a while. Next time we figure it out though... you should come with.

[tomsfoos.livejournal.com]

You should come to a few after parties, you'll really get to know the cast and crew that way

[jrising.livejournal.com]

I think that you've been becoming a great member in our community, and your comments are welcome and appreciated. A lot of people in FBC are stand-offish at first, but we're one of the most loving groups I've ever met. And don't worry about the conflict; there's always some of it going on under the surface, and maybe it's a bit of what keeps us vital.