It is considered bad luck to wish someone good luck in a theater. In English-speaking countries, the expression "break a leg" replaces the phrase "good luck", which is considered unlucky.
The exact origin of this expression is unknown. One theory is that "Break A Leg" is a very old military term for "taking a knee", or bending down to one knee and breaking the line of the leg. In the theatre it is a reference to "taking a bow". To wish someone to "Break A Leg" is to ask them to give the best performance they are capable so that they may deserve to take a bow at performance end -- or, to "Break A Leg".
This expression has so entered the mainstream that it is used by non-actors toward actors and in non-theatrical situations, however, to say "break a leg" in ballet is considered just as much bad luck as saying "good luck", considering it's a physical art.
American Repertory Theater
Director's Notes
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Bill and The Buffalo News
Written By Matthew LaChiusa
Whether the review is for an ART production or one of the other Western New York Theater companies, I do not hold much value in what a critic has to say about a body of theatrical work. I don't need this person's opinion to shape my views on a production and I'd venture to say that applies to most theater goers
Then there is the curious star-rating system the mainstream print media, The Buffalo News, has created.
Unfortunately in a one-paper town, printed media reviews are critical to attendance numbers and what is even more disturbing is that the star-rating system attached to these reviews may drive patrons away from a production. A friend once overheard an artistic director of a renowned theater say that a loss of a star is a loss of about $10,000 in ticket sales.
Regardless if either one of these factors holds weight in whether or not people attend theater productions; the issue remains that whether or not theaters in this community are held under scrutiny from one source that may be too subjective in approach. I recently spoke with Kurt Schneiderman, Executive/Artistic Director of the edgy Subversive Theatre. Kurt and I have had differences in the past and on numerous occasions agree to disagree, but I respect Kurt's vision with Subversive and the challenging works he presents.
Our conversation led into thoughts of the media reviews, and in particular, the star-rating system. In the end, we both similar takes on the subject with us both agreeing (surprisingly) that we just have to do our stuff and keeping moving forward.
This was before the review of Subversive Theatre's production, 84: A Tribute to Orwell's Dystopia. In which The Buffalo News gave the production a 1 ½ star. Once again, good or bad review, I do not let a review shape my opinion of a production and the hard work that goes into mounting the work. But I felt bad for Kurt, writer Brian Zybala and the actors who put their energy into trying to mount a theatrical performance. Their work got them a 1 ½ star from a critic.
I let it pass until I came across the blog, Arts Beat, that had a posting from Colin Dabkowski, The Buffalo News theater critic. There was a curious reply to Dabkowski's segment by an indivdual known as "Bill" in which this person addresses the recent review and Dabkowski's skills as a critic, January 12, 2010 at 02:49 PM Although I disagree with Bill's critique, this individual does bring up some interesting points.
In siding with Mr. Dabkowski, I would agree that advertisement in the newspaper does not sway the overall review of a theater production for I have seen unfavorable reviews of shows presented by theater companies that can afford print-media and electronic ads.
In siding with theater companies, ticket sales are important to the overall success of a theater. Those smaller theaters with less reputation and less grant funding rely on ticket sales as their main source of revenue. Luke-warm reviews with 2 ½ stars can be financially devastating to smaller companies.
Overall, in a one-newspaper town, the journalist who is responsible for reviewing theatrical venues should be aware of this factor and, although constructive criticism is always welcome, they should do their best to support the individuals who are trying their best to make the craft come alive. Not to say every review should be pampering or coddling, but simply, fair and balanced with knowledge that their review and star-rating may impact the box-office.
And for all the "Bills" out there, if you don't like the reviews, go out and write your own and submit it to the local papers, create a blog, or, most importantly, keep supporting theater by attending productions, regardless of what a critic says about it.
Matthew LaChiusa is the Executive/Artistic Director of American Repertory Theater of WNY
The views shared by guests do not represent the views of ART, ART's Board of Directors or ART employees
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The mission of the American Repertory Theater is two fold. First, the mandate of The American Repertory Theater is to produce both classic and contemporary theatrical works and support a new generation of playwrights. These productions are purposefully created through the innovative exploration of these selected works, thereby enhancing the cultural and intellectual experience of the theatergoer. Second, the American Repertory Theater will serve as a catalyst for community dialogue and action that will result in sustained economic growth and increase the collaboration within all sectors of our community.
The mission of the American Repertory Theater is two fold. First, the mandate of The American Repertory Theater is to produce both classic and contemporary theatrical works and support a new generation of playwrights. These productions are purposefully created through the innovative exploration of these selected works, thereby enhancing the cultural and intellectual experience of the theatergoer. Second, the American Repertory Theater will serve as a catalyst for community dialogue and action that will result in sustained economic growth and increase the collaboration within all sectors of our community.
