Columnist Joe Delaney: There’s a fine line between roles of reviewer and critic

Joe Delaney

Friday, Aug. 20, 1999 | 5:57 a.m.

Joe Delaney's column appears Thursdays and Fridays. Reach him at 259-4066 or joe@vegas.com

Reviewers vs. critics. ... In show business, the reviewer should function like a good reporter, giving the reader the who, what, when, where and why, plus the salient facts, audience count and reactions but omitting a personal point of view. ... The reviewer reviews. ... The critic also reviews and if he has credentials, he may be entitled to criticize as well.

Thus the critic takes the reviewer's job one step further. ... He or she should be someone who has participated in performances, onstage and backstage. ... Every aspect of the performance or show is subject to criticism, but a good critic should always criticize constructively.

The length of the show, sound, lights, staging, costumes, music, choreography, ads -- in short, everything that goes to make up the totality of the performance, should be covered. ... Always check a critic's credentials. ... You, the audience, are the ultimate critic.

The impact today

Years ago New York theater critics such as George Jean Nathan and George S. Kaufman could close a show with one-line reviews like "A terrible thing happened at the St. James Theatre last night. The curtain went up," or "When they remodeled the theater for this show, they made a mistake. The seats still faced the stage." Closing notices went up the next day.

Today a good review or a good critique can help a show or a performance just as a bad review or critique may keep a few people from attending. ... Word of mouth, people telling people they enjoyed a show can overcome most negative reports, which usually become history a day or two later.

Criticism should never be destructive. ... It should never be based upon personal likes or dislikes. ... It is the performer and the performance that should be the subject. ... If you enjoy a show, tell your friends. ... And if you don't enjoy it, be sure to tell them.

Burton, good citizen

"Lance Burton & Friends" will give a special performance at 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Monte Carlo hotel, a benefit for Zelzah Shrine Temple, doing fine work with local children who have medical problems. ... Burton's personal manager, renowned hypnotist Peter Reveen, the Pendragons, Fielding West and Greg Prewin are scheduled to perform.

Tickets are just $20 and can be purchased at the local Zelzah Shrine Temple, Wal-Mart stores and at the Lance Burton Theatre box office. ... Burton and Reveen are active supporters of the local Variety Club as well. ... Lance recently sponsored two 12-seat Sunshine Coaches, for New Vista Ranch and Regina Hall, through Variety Club.

Burton's new show times are 7 and 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. ... Burton will take off early in September, with comedian Richard Jeni filling in Sept. 10 and 11, and Paul Rodriguez on Sept. 17 and 18. ... Lance reappears here on Sept. 22.

Upcoming season

UNLV's Season of the Millennium is impressive, presenting the best of the New York stage with appearances by Michael Feinstein, trumpeter Jon Faddis and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, Leslie Nielsen, Betty Buckley, the New York Voices and The Acting Company's production of "MacBeth." ... The Drummers of West Africa, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo and the British Rock Symphony and Choir represent the world's stage.

The prestigious Charles Vanda Master Series has its strongest lineup in recent years with eight concerts including appearances by pianist Earl Wild and UNLV Performing Arts Center favorite, Itzhak Perlman.

The Vanda Series season finale, April 16, presents the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. ... This year is the 100th anniversary of Duke Ellington's birth, and the LCJO is devoting the year to a celebration, including a definitive CD release.

Friday addenda

Congrats, Liz Bradley, a dancer in the Luxor's "Imagine," the first representative from the performing arts to graduate from Leadership Las Vegas, a Chamber of Commerce program. ... Historically, the program has been made up of members of the business community. ... Each participant is asked to represent their spectrum of the community.

The Carl Grove Combo's "Music By Request" will be featured at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Charleston Heights Arts Center Ballroom. ... Also on Saturday at 8 p.m., the Kim Purling Trio Plus One, Joe Romano on tenor saxophone, will be in concert, Rainbow Library Amphitheater. ... It's never too late to give to the Sun Summer Camp Fund. ... Please. ... See you next Thursday.