Reviewing the review of 'Secret Garden'

Regarding ' "Secret Garden" disappoints' (Thursday, Nov. 17):

The Princeton University Players Board would like to express its dissatisfaction with Eric Herschthal, who reviewed "The Secret Garden" last week.

At the start, let us state that we do not oppose negative reviews of our productions. We want reporters to evaluate them candidly, even if that means negatively. We do not take issue with Herschthal's negative comments, but rather with his dishonesty. He watched only half of the dress rehearsal and then proceeded to make critical comments about the show's overall performance and storyline. He commented on the "humdrum plot" and the protagonist's "musical-long battle" when he did not see either one in its entirety. His review produced the title, ' "Secret Garden" Disappoints.' Yet he could not have known if it ultimately disappointed. The only disappointment was his lack of professionalism.

In the future, we also would appreciate if reviewers demonstrate some knowledge of musical theater. This is not to request that each reviewer be active in the campus theater scene. However, he should be able to comment intelligently on what he has seen. Herschthal wrote that Colin was "played, strangely, by a girl." With a little musical knowledge, he would have known that few male actors can sing in the alto range that the role requires and cross-casting such a role is not unusual. He also stated, "the orchestra [was] deftly orchestrated." This is a misuse of the word. Orchestration refers to the arrangement of a score following its original composition — not to the conducting. Again, we do not expect reviewers to be authorities on music. But just as a sports reporter should know the rules of the game he covers, so too should a theater reviewer have some knowledge of the work he evaluates.

We do not blame the editorial staff for the poor conduct of one reporter. But in the future, we hope that reviewers put in the time necessary to write meaningful reviews — whether positive or negative. That said, PUP truly appreciates your efforts to focus on campus arts this year. We are very thankful for your support.

The PUP Board