PLAY REVIEW FORMAT
This review format is based entirely upon what you directly observe as you are watching the
performance. As you are watching the production, you will develop an opinion. Since opinion is
based on information received directly or indirectly, you will justify your opinion using the
information you have received directly (your observations while watching the performance).
Spelling, grammar, punctuation, and proper sentence structure are all important in writing this
play review. This is a major grade assignment and will be graded as such.
Paragraphs 2-5 must be as specific as possible. Vague explanations without specific detail from
the evening of the show you saw will earn a very low grade. You must analyze WHY you liked or
disliked certain elements of the show. Utilize terminology and knowledge learned in class.
(Plagiarism will not be tolerated and is grounds for an immediate 0 for the major
grade. DO NOT copy paste someone else’s summary of the play).
1st Paragraph:
Journalistic approach: Who, what, when, and where with a very
brief summary of the action. You want to catch the reader’s
attention. Minimum 5 full, complete, thoughtful sentences.
2nd Paragraph:
You are writing about what you liked best (or least) about the
performance. Explain why. Minimum 5 full, complete,
thoughtful sentences.
3rd Paragraph:
You are writing about what was second best (or worst) about the
performance. Explain why. Minimum 5 full, complete,
thoughtful sentences.
4th Paragraph:
You are writing about what was third best (or worst) about the
performance. Explain why. Minimum 5 full, complete,
thoughtful sentences.
5th Paragraph:
You are writing about what was fourth best (or worst) about the
performance. Explain why. Minimum 5 full, complete,
thoughtful sentences.
6th Paragraph:
Summarize your thoughts and end with a recommendation- would
you recommend a friend see the show? Minimum 3 full,
complete, thoughtful sentences.
Production Critique
Ghost: the Musical
Book & Lyrics by Bruce Joel Rubin
Music & Lyrics by Dave Stewart and Glen
Ballard
Louise Gerhards
Theatre Arts I
Spring 2016
*On the previous page you see an example of your cover page. It
should be your first full page- everyone’s play review should say
“Production Critique” at the top of the cover page in Times New
Roman 12 point. Name of play should be bolded and centered
Times New Roman- 26 point-----playwright should be centered
Times New Roman 22 point----the bottom of the cover page is
centered Times New Roman 12 point- Your name then Theatre
Arts 1 and then Spring 2016.
The body of the paper:
 Will be double-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman, 1 inch
margins on all sides
 Will be at least 6 paragraphs in length
Helpful hints:
- Play titles should be underlined.
- When writing about actors/characters, the character name
follows the actor name.
o Example: Kenneth Branagh, Hamlet, was easy to
understand.
o Once you have established who played what character,
you may refer to them by the actor’s last name for the rest
of the review.
-
This semester you will be required to attend the main stage show at
Clements High School in order to write your major grade play
review. You will choose the one evening that works for you and
purchase a ticket to see the show. You will then write and submit a
major grade play review.
The spring show (second show you are required to
attend and write a play review over) is
Ghost: the Musical.
The show will be held in the CHS auditorium and will
begin promptly at 7pm each night (be sure to arrive at
least 15 minutes before the start of the show to assure
admittance- points will be deducted for latecomers).
Choose the evening that best suits your
schedule to attend:
Thursday- February 4th, 2016
Friday - February 5th, 2016
Saturday- February 6th, 2016
Monday - February 8th, 2016
*I will have a sign in sheet at the end of the
performance which you MUST sign to receive credit.
Any play reviews written without having signed in the
evening of the show will not be accepted.
*I will be sitting in the upper portion of the auditorium
and will be standing right there between the exit doors
of the theatre with the sign in sheet.
*Saying hello to me before the show or during
intermission does not count. You must physically sign
YOURSELF out after the show is complete (so there is
no question whether you stayed for the entire show or
not) and before you leave for the evening- in order to
receive credit for attending the show. NO
EXCEPTIONS.
All spring play reviews are due no later than
2:30pm Friday, February 19th, 2016. (Must be
submitted to Turnitin.com and properly formatted).
*IF THE TIME STAMP ON YOUR SUBMISSION
IS PAST 2:30pm on Friday, February 19th- YOUR
MAJOR GRADE PLAY REVIEW WILL HAVE A
10 POINT A DAY DEDUCTION FROM YOUR
FINAL GRADE.
Instructions for turnitin.com Play review submission1. Go to turnitin.com
2. Sign into the account you have created (do NOT create a
new account- you have one through English class) - if you
have NEVER created an account for some reason, then
(and only then) you may do so.
3. You input the Class ID and Password to become part of
the class I have set up for you.
4. You submit your completed play review document
following the proper format above (6 paragraphs and a
cover page).
5. Make sure you have done numbers 1-4 BEFORE 2:30pm
on the due date.
Class IDs and Passwords are as follows:
1st period- Theatre Arts I- Class ID = 10307457
2nd period- Theatre Arts I- Class ID = 10307504
3rd period- Theatre Arts I- Class ID = 10307509
5th period- Theatre Arts I- Class ID = 10307514
6th period- Theatre Arts I- Class ID = 10307526
Each class period has the password: gerhards
(MAKE SURE YOU SIGN UP FOR THE CORRECT CLASS
PERIOD- THE CLASS ID IS DIFFERENT FOR EACH
CLASS)