Production Values

When I noted recently that I differentiate between production values and content I was pleased to get a response ping, although I detected a certain amount of sabor rattling to be more accurate. Sitting in the theater 3-4 nights a week, I feel there is a giant 'bounce' that occurs for most shows depending upon production values.

Why is this? Most of us are not heading out to entertainment wearing our form and analysis mindsets. Onsite evaluation of dramatic structure, pacing and character development is difficult. Somewhat less troubling is the search for good dialogue - it you are yawning by the end of the first scene, it is a good bet that character chat does not reveal character value. Authentic revelations only occur with a certain amount of trouble taken or felt by persona dramatis.

Sometimes a promising show gets a first production in really low rent circumstances and it shines because of the content of the show. The actors and director really produce authentic, believable material. The dramatic ebb and flow keep the viewer riveted, the characters have defined arcs that draw us in, the ending is pure joy. Who cares if they use only a refrigerator box, an athletic sock and a flashlight? This is based on the value of performative art delivery based on strong dramatic content and deserves its own discussion.

The import of quality content is paramount and nothing can replace it. A show that has high value content can succeed on stage, in film, on TV. It can take a small or large venue, it flexes to considerations of setting, timeframe, casting and more.

But what happens when the content is solid, but perhaps stuck in a single locale or era or only works with certain cast members? Bring on the designers! Let's have a brilliant set, costume, lighting and sound design. Smell-o-rama is in and out of vogue, but quite electrifying when used to good effect. Good design features can really pop for the audience and a slightly small show can amaze and delight, even if you cannot remember why over dinner at that cool new place.

But here's the real gist of this post. What happens when you have seriously flawed dramatic material in a design space to die for? Think of TV serials that had the 'look' that gets the viewers, but the story is so preposterous that all those gorgeous bods, clothes, houses, etc. are the same week after week? Or that uber-cool opening night where all the participants have friends in the house to give edge to the performance, but you cannot remember the main elements of the show the next day. It looked and smelled great, but your stomach is growling in the early morning.

A gorgeous gown on a runway model has to look grand on normal me in the middle of a dull winter's day, or it is not worth the price of a value meal at Mickey D's. Those luscious costumes help you hear the music of the setting, you can taste the chocolate cake. But turn off the high def, add a wobble in the image and you keep seeing the crumbs on your couch and decide a good vacuuming is in order.