Mandelbaum Off Broadway.com?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 7:41pm

Does anyone know if the introduction of John Simon to Broadway.com is the end of Ken Mandelbaum's column?

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 7:43pm

It appears that way.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 9:28pm

speaking of columns on that site what happened to the confessions of a broadway actor column?

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 9:35pm

Well, in regards to the "Confessions" column...actually, um, I emailed the editor in chief or whatever, telling him that I didn't like the column because I found it to be too "bitter" (this was especially spurred by what I think was the last column--an anonymous performer in Chicago whining about how draining it was to star in a Broadway show. Puh-leez). After that, they never printed another one.

Was it because of me? Probably not. But if it was, don't hit me.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 9:54pm

Noooo! Ken Mandelbaum is my hero!

The only way I will be happy with this is if he has left to write an update to Not Since Carrie!

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 11:13pm

Yep, they dumped him for Simon...

[BreakingTheCircle07]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 12:44am

If this is true, I am very sad. I did not enjoy Simon's review of SWIWS. I did not find it informative or well written at all (though not as bad as BBW's review...yeesh!). I hope Mr. Mendelbaum isn't gone for good.

[alterego]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 12:57am

Good God I hope not! Rob grab him now for Broadwayworld please!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 1:12am

Mandelbaum will find work, he's moved around a lot. He needs to write a Not Since Carrie 2.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 1:15am

In my very humble opinion, Mandelbaum and Frank Rich are the two most valuable resources on musical theater that are living today. Ken Mandelbaum deserves nothing but respect and reverence.

I'm crossing my fingers for an update to Not Since Carrie. Can you imagine the great material that could go into that book? What are some interesting Broadway musical flops since 1991? HMMM!

[alwy15]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 1:18am

he IS writing a sequel to not since carrie.
i emailed him and asked him, and he said yes, he was working on one. thank goodness.
though i love not since carrie, in the past year ive hated his columns. they've gotten so arrogant, i dislike reading him. i feel like he talks down to his readers, and although he's innformative, and he probably knows more about theater than anyone else alive today... he seems so cocky in his prose.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 1:22am

I don't think he's cocky. It's impossible to be as informed as he is and not come off as a tad cocky. He's probably sick of getting emails about Wicked.

[alterego]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 1:27am

But he is incredible when it comes to cast albums and productions of shows off the U.S. mainland... U.K., Europe and Australia. It would seem that no one else is writing about these other productions/stars.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 6:32am

I've always respected Mandelbaum's writing. The only problem I've ever had with him is his near-refusal to accept anything new in the musical theatre culture. He's always overskeptical and overcritical with new revivals that dare to change any small bit of the concept of a show, and painstakingly scrutinizes them against their predecessors.

I wish John Simon the best, but if his first column on SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE is any indication of what his writing career is going to be like on Broadway.com, I think I'll be the first one screaming, "Come back to the five and dime, Ken!"

[isntitromantic]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 8:09am

Its about time they dumped Mandlebaum. He was so persnickiting in his inability to accept anything other than the way it was. He gives show queens a bad name. Say what you may about Simon, at least he makes for less limited writing.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 4/13/06 at 11:47am

Ken Mandelbaum is my single favorite critic -- theatre, film, music, etc. His knowledge and passion about which he speaks cannot be underestimated.

Then again, most people tend to gravite towards critics with whom they most often agree...and Ken was mine.

[AuditioningWaitress]

Posted: 4/13/06 at 3:06pm

This breaks my heart!!! I loved reading Mandelbaum's column!!!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/15/06 at 3:33am

This is horrible news. I looked forward to Ken´s column every week. His vast knowledge of forgotten shows and encyclopedia of anecdotes were priceless. I´ve been reading his work since his days with Theatre Week magazine.

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 4/15/06 at 3:44am

I'm sure it's been posted, but I missed it, I'm sure: do we know who the "Confessions of a Broadway Star" Broadway Star really is? I always had my guesses, but I figure all the experts on this board have got an answer, I'm sure.