Do You Miss Me Yet?

The Central Oregon Critic Exits Stage Right

As 2009 comes to a close, this is an ideal time to officially bring the curtain down on The Central Oregon Critic blog.

This blog is almost two and a half years old and, in that time, has received over 10,000 hits, 1,000 of these since the COC’s last posting on August 10. I am humbled by the interest in what the Central Oregon Critic has had to say since its creation. I am also pleased to have noted some positive changes in the local media in their coverage of local theatrical productions since my decision last summer to no longer write reviews of these shows.

While Cascade Arts & Entertainment magazine seems to have lost their theatrical "critic" with the departure of Ariel Wesler from our region, The Source Weekly, which used to publish reviews of local amateur productions irregularly at best, has included one for almost every play staged at Greenwood Playhouse and 2nd Street Theater in the last six months, as well as Cat Call’s “CABARET” at the Tower. Bravo! Additionally, other writers have shared with readers their viewpoints on the merits of productions and theatre groups through outlets such as Facebook and their own blogs. While these columnists and bloggers have found few, if any, faults with local productions to write about, their columns and comments certainly helped to promote ticket sales and awareness of these productions as well as the performing arts in our area. That is a good thing. The Central Oregon Critic would hope to see writers in the future not only include favorable comments, but constructive criticism as well when and where appropriate.

The question that remains, however, is if someone, some publication or an organization will take up the mantle and recognize the leaders in the local performance arts through the presentation of awards such as “The Arties” in the future. The Central Oregon Critic is hopeful that this will happen in 2010.

And so, the Central Oregon Critic blog comes to a close as the COC makes a final exit stage right. I will, however, continue to attend as many productions as I can and will always have an opinion about them…as will you. After all, we are all critics.

If you ever want to know how someone feels about something, just ask them. They may even tell you the truth.

COC

The Central Oregon Critic Makes News...

The Central Oregon Critic

will share additional thoughts in a final posting.

COC