Spotlighter Reviews

Spotlighter was very disappointing.
It is clear that very little thought or effort went into Spotlighter. The number of shows you can review is very small, the user interface is hard to navigate, and worst of all, the avatars/app logo are very obviously AI-generated. If you want an app to review shows, just download Mezzanine instead of wasting your time with this.

I wish they had a larger array of musicals because famous musicals don’t show up. 42nd street, rosencrantz and guildenstern are dead, etc. Not broadway but not unheard of either. I also don’t like how you HAVE to put a date. Could use some refining.

I’ve been waiting for something like this for a long time - I’m super stoked that it exists, and I can’t wait to see it get more updates. One update I really really want to see (the one I was looking most forward to) is the ability to leave reviews on specific productions of shows. Currently Spotlighter only lets you review a “show” (usually one that’s on Broadway… what about letting people user-submit productions from their local areas?) without telling us what version we’re reviewing. Cabaret has been done a million different ways to varying degrees of success - which production are we talking about? The whole point of theater is that it is reproducible, unlike movies and shows. That’s where Spotlighter can stand out from something like letterbox’d - really lean into the art form you’re supporting.

To be clear, I really think you should allow users to add “productions” underneath established show titles. Submitted productions could show the date, venue, director/creative team, production company, and poster/marketing materials. This would be a great way for users to learn about theater OUTSIDE OF BROADWAY (please please please!!!!) and support the 99% of working artists who do things outside of Times Square, as well as encourage users to participate on Spotlighter in ways outside of leaving reviews. I see a lot of theater in my area, and I know I would jump at the opportunity to add the shows I see into the great this app archive for others to see.

This is a GREAT start for Spotlighter, but I think it has a very long way to go to become THE one-stop-shop for theater social media. That said, if I was to back any app for that title, it would be this one. Keep at it. I’m really looking forward to what’s next.

It is so useful!!!! Thanks to the creators who embarked on this journey!!!!