Gazz cover: Aug. 3, 2006
Here is today's cover to the print gazz version tucked inside the Charleston Gazette every Thursday. To read the cover story on the Charleston-based No Pants Players improv group (that's a Jeff Pierson photo of the group), click right here.
10 Comments:
Kudos to the No Pants Players for trying to perform improv comedy, however, they regrettably miss the mark. I have attended several of their shows and found the timing to be off, the lines simply not funny and the performances simply strained. It seemed like I was back in college watching the fellow who was the class clown back in junior high carrying the jokes too far and coming off more pathetic than funny.
The No Pants Players are putting themselves out there, no doubt, but I have yet to read a real critical review of their performances. I wish the Gazz simply didn't just hype such efforts but also served as a critical voice to arts in the Valley. Perhaps if this occurred noble efforts like those by No Pants Players would be more of a growing experience for the group.
I totally disagree with "webster." I've been to see the No Pants Players three times now and think they're fantastic. Now the second show we went to wasn't as funny, but the bits that fell short that night were the ones that relied on input from the audience, and they had so many kids in the audience that night yelling out goofy things that they had little to go on.
They were excellent this past weekend. I've never seen them funnier. I would like to see some different games, maybe mix it up a bit so those of us who come regularly don't lose interest.
I see these comments were featured. Next time, get my name right - It is truly "Accorjding to Webster"
It's simply actually, just down about 8 shots of Mezcal and then say "according" -
Oh, well, then. Sorry about that. But did you eat the worm, too?
ALWAYS eat the worm.
I'm wondering if "Accorjding to Webster" would be so bold to say these comments to our faces?
Hey, I'm Kevin Pauley and I'm the guy who does the raps or Shakespearean monologues. So, you know now who I am if you regularly attend.
Now, who are YOU? And why the negativity? Did you attend our shows this past weekend? I think that over 100 people giving us a standing ovation speaks differently to your comments.
We also received rave audience reviews for our stints at FestivAll, where we performed on the street to over 60 people who loved our stuff.
Along with this, I had a woman call me personally (after being given my number by Ric Cochran of V100 - who enjoys our work and even had us at Working Women's Wednesday at the Power Alley Grill) to ask about our next shows so she could bring a potential date because she just knew he'd enjoy it! So, I feel safe in saying that (a.) we ARE funny and (b.) people are enjoying what we do.
I think it's easy to just condemn something - instead I challenge you to speak to US, tell us what we can do to make our shows better. Don't post on a public forum and not offer any constructive remarks.
Just being anonymous and attacking us shows that you really don't know what you're saying and that you just wanted to start something. Are you one of the many people who asked to be in the troupe and didn't get in? It would explain a great deal.
Thank you, Karen, for coming to our shows and for defending us here! I promise you that new games are on the way and that we will have some fun skits coming for our Spooktacular and Holiday Joytacular this year!
Those who would like to see more should come see our Riverside High School Girls' Volleyball Benefit Show on Friday, August 18, at 8:00 p.m.
Major thanks to The Gazz for featuring us on the cover and for giving us a great piece of publicity! You all rock!
Sincerely,
Kevin M. Pauley
Troupe Member
No-Pants Players
Seem to have hit a nerve. I gave the No-Pants Players kudos for their efforts. However, my opinion on the quality of their performances seems to be too much for the Players to take. Sorry, but I will not simply lap up whatever is served and say how great it is. That may be the editorial policy of The Gazz but I have higher expectations of comedy. For example, it should be funny. Perhaps I caught The Players on off nights, perhaps the humor is just not my taste. In either case the knee jerk manner in which Mr. Pauley responds tells the whole story. NPP are attention seekers of the worse kind who believe their press. Too bad, they show potential but obviously are more interested in being praised rather than being good.
How does my asking you to give us actual criticism instead of just saying that we need critiqued (since you obviously have great suggestions that need to be shared) show that you've hit a nerve?
I have no problem with your opinion because, to date, you are the ONLY person who has ever had anything negative to say about us - and we've performed for many, many people. So, it's really a moot point.
I think the crowds from our last shows would totally say that we are funny. I honestly do. I just don't see audiences give standing ovations for things that they don't enjoy. In my 20+ years of theater, I have never seen that happen. I also never see companies ask people to perform at their parties and offer to pay them if the people aren't good at what they do.
The Riverside High School volleyball coach loves our shows so much that he's using us as a fundraising effort for the team. Now, riddle me this, Batman - why would someone rely on us to help raise money if we (a.) weren't funny and (b.) weren't liked?
I'm not asking you to "lap up" anything. Instead, I challenge you to be a man (or woman, since I STILL don't know who you are), talk to us face to face and give us constructive criticism as to what would make our shows better for you. That's all.
In my previous post, that's all I've asked and it's all I'm asking now. Believe it or not, we LOVE to hear from folks as to what we can do to make the experience better for them.
I can take criticism, as can any member of the troupe. What I can't stand are potshots ("For example, it should be funny") and people who talk down to others when they (a.) probably aren't qualified or (b.) probably don't have any clue what it takes to do what the person/people they criticise do.
The Gazz reporter who covered our story, Sarah, enjoyed us enough to write about us. We got the cover because of the editors seeing us at FestivAll and enjoying our show. I don't think we got it just because we stink - I could be wrong, but I don't think so.
Finally - and this is the big one - maybe our humor isn't your taste. That very well could be the case! Not all comedy styles work for all tastes (how they keep making "Scary Movie" sequels still baffles me to this day, but I digress).
But that doesn't mean that what we do is not funny to others (again, see the box office results for the "Scary Movie" films). And that's why I responded to your comment - and why Karen Fuller did, too.
But please answer this one for me, because I just have to know - if we're so terrible, so unfunny, why have you repeatedly paid money to come and see us? Seems weird to pay for something that you obviously don't like.
We work hard to be the best we can be. We rehearse, we have workshops, we constantly are our own worst critics. So, believe me, we are far more interested in being good than being praised.
You, on the other hand, seem to really need a hug. Come to our next show and I'll give you one - honest! Free of charge!
Just because you do not like it doesn't mean it's terrible. Different strokes for different folks.
I'm done with this. You will like what you like and I will do what I do. I'm sorry you don't enjoy our shows - truly, I am.
But you seem to be on a personal mission to bring us down and I don't know why. We are a friendly bunch and we try our best to offer families a great evening of fun and a chance to forget about their problems for an hour and a half.
I believe we succeed in that. The families that keep returning, bringing more friends and family, validate that belief for me.
Good luck to you in your endeavors. I'm sorry we will have to agree to disagree.
Sincerely,
Kevin M. Pauley
Troupe Member
No-Pants Players
Wow! According to Mr. Pauley, EVERYONE except the one commenter loves the No Pants Player.
I guess if that were true they'd be playing bigger gigs than the one the Riverside High School volleyball coach set up.
I've never seen this group perform, they may be quite good. If the egotism of Mr. Pauley is any indication though I think I'll just pass.
You know, I hadn't bothered to look here for almost two weeks, but I thought I'd see if anyone had posted a response regarding the Riverside show. I didn't expect to be called egotistical by someone who doesn't even know me!
If you think I'm egotisical, I do apologize. I am not (and people who know me would agree), but if my comments made you think that then you have my apologies. It was certainly not my intention.
I just felt the need to defend my friends, my troupe and our product because there are many people who DO enjoy us; however, if all someone were to see were negative comments, then that's all they would think and may not ever give us a chance.
I hope that you will give us a chance and come see a show sometime. Bring your family! We'd love to have you!
By the way, thanks to all from Riverside who attended the girls' volleyball fundraiser show, bringing in almost $700!!!! We had a blast and you all rock!
Sincerely,
Kevin M. Pauley
Troupe Member
No-Pants Players
www.nopantsplayers.com
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