thecolumnbyjohngarcia

PS: We are making adjustments to the review (taking out the comments regarding Mr. Harvey completely) on both the Pegasus and THE COLUMN websites. -John Garcia

COLUMN EDITOR: We were not made aware of the casting change whatsoever. I asked my critic and he stated there was NO insert in his PLAYBILL. Also he was not informed of the cast change at Box Office, Finally there was no comment/statement made during curtain speech of this casting change. Had any of those things been done he would have 100% NOT mentioned or critiqued his performance WHATSOEVER. It would have been VERY unfair to do that to any actor replacing another two days before opening. We were ONLY made aware of this AFTER the review was published. But we NEVER would have published the comments on this actor's performance had we been made aware of the situation. -John Garcia Editor, THE COLUMN

GOD BLESS YOU JASON RICE! You took the words right out of my mind. THANK YOU. This is my last comments to Hackysack. I love how people will hide behind nicknames and not state their real name. Say what you will about me, but at least I put my real name and not hide behind the computer screen.. But I degress:

CASTING: Actually I don't do much theater anymore. I do normally one show a year. It takes so much time and energy. But I do audition several times a year-and do NOT get cast! GASP! SHOCKER! And believe me, if I got cast for every show I auditioned for I'd be working non-stop in this community! So no, me being that "COLUMN" guy does not get me roles.

CHANGING/EDITING REVIEWS: Really? You honestly think my critics would allow me to change their reviews/writing? I would have to do that for all my friends that get reviewed by them as well, right? If I did "change" their reviews (good or bad)-they would quit in a heartbeat. That's why I have an Assistant Editor in Chief. She sees EVERY review. And she STRONGLY believes in ethics (as I do). So if I did "change" reviews-she would pubicly "out" me out on that and it would destroy 18 years of hard work for THE COLUMN. And do you seriously think 28 critics would agree to me changing their reviews? My proofreader does ask them to change spelling and stuff like that-but not THEIR OPINIONS! Dude (or chick) you need to really think that out.

SENDING OUT REVIEWERS: You must not subscribe to THE COLUMN or you would have read in EVERY issue that ANYONE and ANY theater company (equity or non-equity) can be reviewed. THE COLUMN is VERY lucky to have close to 30 critics to cover the ENTIRE metroplex. We try to assign a critic to every request that comes across our desk. DCT and MTD have both been reviewed by THE COLUMN in the past (when they requested it!).

Well I'm off my soapbox. Thank you again Jason. I close the book on this discussion. Well at least on my side.

Dear Hacky Stack: It was that VERY reason why we had two critics from THE COLUMN review the show. So that two unbiased pair of eyes could review the production. I am NOT friends nor know my staff personally. They were chosen for their backgrounds, education, degrees, and love for theater. They are not PAID WHATSOEVER. So there is no reason for them to praise me. What on earth would they get in return? They don't paid...so I can't fire them if they gave me a negative review. In fact Ms. Clark (one of the critics who reviewed HAIRSPRAY) did not give me a favorable review when she reviewed me in FORUM two years ago. I can take the negative reviews like a pro. I did a regional premiere of a musical 3 years ago where a critic ripped me a new hole (she said I was mis-cast and was the worst part of the show)....and I agree with her. I was awful in the show. My critics are practically strangers to me. Out of 28, I have met only like 7 of them face to face. The other critics from other publications were invited as well-but they do not trek out to Denton nor responded back to attend opening/press night . But I do thank you for allowing me to address this.

-John Garcia