Well, it had to happen sometime. I got a negative review. Being reviewed isn't a new thing, I've been doing this acting thing for quite awhile. I've been in shows that have been panned. I've been praised (sometimes too much) and, I've also been ignored -- perhaps the worst insult of all.

But, as far as I can remember, I don't think I've ever been singled out for negative comments by a reviewer before.

My first inclination is to dispute the reviewer's opinion or to say that, "Well, he just doesn't like the way the character was written." But ultimately, people watching a show don't usually separate an actor from a role. It's not really realistic to expect them to be able to do that. They haven't read the script and don't know how the show's come together.

Essentially, if you don't like the taste of a cake, you don't know why it turned out that way, you just know you don't like it.

So, it sucks and hurts because we all want to be liked, especially when you've put a lot of time and hard work into something.

At the same time, it's really okay. It's part of putting yourself out there. It's one person's opinion and I certainly don't like every performance I've ever seen. (Of course, I also don't have the bad taste to share/post those negative opinions publicly.)

In the end, if there's something that rings true from someone's negative comments, use them. If not, let it go and move on. It's not how we react to the good stuff that defines us. It's how we deal with the bad [reviews].

And, in case you're curious (I would be), here's the dagger. It's overall quite complimentary about the show which is nice.

Postscript: So then a couple days later, a gay-focused arts site reviewed the production and I was one of a few mentioned. Go figure.

I haven't seen this production (airfare is expensive these days!) but I do know you. This guy's an idiot and doesn't know what he's talking about. He was obviously looking for you to perform something that's not in the play.

Shakespeare, which is not well written at all in E Rex, doesn't spar with the Ned character at all. He has some back and forth with the Queen but, while Ned has been given permission to say and do what he wants, Shakespeare hasn't been given that luxury. He also is trying to save the life of his patron so pissing her off wouldn't be the way to go. I don't know how the reviewer expected you to be stronger against her when the words don't support it. That's ned's role in the play.

Unfortunately, the Bard is very poorly written in this play and it seems like it would be a thankless role. Good for you for taking it on, but I'm sure it's not as fun as some of your others.