BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times- Page 2

[schubox]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 11:28am

Skimbleshanks2 said: "My takeaway was, there ain't no way he's renewing his contract LOL, especially considering the TIMES mentions it... 

And he seems to imply as much when he talks about not wanting to miss a performance during his run.

 

"

When is his contract up? They started previews in what, October or November? I have tickets in July and really hope he's still around 

[froote]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 11:44am

His contract is up in November.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 11:50am

Skimbleshanks2 said: "Is he a lock to win? Or could voters think he's too young and give it to a hardworking and actually physically injured star like KARL? Or ... sigh. Am I grasping at straws here? 

This post makes me wonder if you have actually seen Platt's performance, as NO ONE works harder on the stage than he does, eight shows a week. And to take nothing at all away from Karl, are you suggesting that BECAUSE he's injured (and has courageously continued to perform) it's an addional reason to give him the Tony. I would have thought that the Tony be given for the best performance, period, not the best performance by "an injured actor in a musical."

 

"

 

[froote]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 11:52am

Of course it should be a decision made purely on performance but voters are just human beings - flawed individuals that let bias get in the way of objectivity. Things like Karl's injury and this article on Platt will undoubtedly be considerations when some voters are making their choice.

[Skimbleshanks2]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 11:55am

RaisedOnMusicals said: "Skimbleshanks2 said: "Is he a lock to win? Or could voters think he's too young and give it to a hardworking and actually physically injured star like KARL? Or ... sigh. Am I grasping at straws here? 

This post makes me wonder if you have actually seen Platt's performance, as NO ONE works harder on the stage than he does, eight shows a week. And to take nothing at all away from Karl, are you suggesting that BECAUSE he's injured (and has courageously continued to perform) it's an addional reason to give him the Tony. I would have thought that the Tony be given for the best performance, period, not the best performance by "an injured actor in a musical."

 

"
 

 

"

No sorry -- I was trying to read inside the mind of a potential TONY voter and was not articulating ... I saw BEN PLATT in January and said afterward "He's pretty much locked like CYNTHIA ERIVO".. But In my heart of hearts I wish KARL could win...

But I guess it's just not his year! Sorry for any confusion.. I stood on the SRO line in the freezing cold to see DEH so don't think I'm a hater.. Just passionate :)

[Kad]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 11:55am

Along those same lines.. it's Best Actor, not Hardest Working Actor.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 12:06pm

And, as we've discussed, is completely subjective. So who actually wins an award is completely irrelevant.  

[ntrackbar]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 12:56pm

MrsSallyAdams said: "I see two sides to this.

On one hand the writer is looking to create some drama in spite of Ben Platt's very safe answers. Noah Galvin gave a snarky, off-the-cuff interview in 2016 and got raked over the coals for it. Plenty of folks then said he should have been coached by a publicist.  Ben clearly was.


On the other hand many musical leading roles are unsustainable for commercial runs. Patti LuPone has mentioned this when discussing Evita and Nathan Lane had a similar sympathy-profile from the NYT when starring in The Producers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/02/magazine/this-is-it-as-happy-as-i-get-baby-nathan-lane.html

''I don't think anyone understands how hard he's working,'' says Rocco Landesman, the head producer of ''The Producers,'' ''how physically demanding the role is in terms of movement, vocal power and projection. Seeing him after a performance, it's like he's gone 10 rounds with Joe Louis. Nathan's attitude is that he's killing himself and the producers are counting their money.''"

Thank you for sharing that article, Mrs. Sally Adam. That was a fascinating (and loooong) read. What I think distinguishes the Lane piece from the Platt one, for me, is that the Lane was one written after he already won the Tony. Even more to the points that some of made about Ben being totally generic/canned in his responses, Nathan's profile was so refreshing and fascinating in its candor. I, along with the rest of this board, have long been an admirer and a fan, but there was so much in there that I didn't know about him. 

Ben's whole "I had to work harder because of my privilege" is so condescending and old. 

[LYLS3637]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 1:26pm

I see a little bit of Idina in Ben's responses/attitude too. This kind of whiplash that comes with the spotlight all of a sudden crashing down on you. In addition, this project, as stated in the article, is one where the fandom is starting to eclipse the production. Where the fans feel almost entitled to a personal audience where they share their life story and "bond" with you. 

For a performer who might describe themselves as introverted, I can see how the overwhelming nature/shock of the experience can lead to relying on a publicist to get you through it. 

Updated On: 5/10/17 at 01:26 PM

[Babe_Williams]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 1:55pm

DeNada said: "This is kind of sad.

Not pathetic, but... sad.

His family clearly worry about him (alternating weeks spent with him???) and there seems to be an undercurrent of concern at the very least from pretty much everyone interviewed here.  His performance, as good as it may be, involves huge amounts of preparation to avoid it damaging him - preparation that doesn't necessarily work.  While I hope it makes him happy, there seems to be little beyond "the work" in his life at the moment - is 23 a bit young for that?

I don't think that kind of life - that kind of performance - is sustainable in any healthy way.  It will be interesting to see how replacement performers (if there are any - will the show outlast Platt?) handle playing Evan.

 

"

That is how I read it too. Dude seems to eat, breath, sleep and live DEH only. Sounds like no way to live, but also sounds like he will be ready to step down come November. 

 

But I also agree with those who say they felt like they know less about him after reading that. I felt the same. Does he have hobbies? Interests? A pet? The piece definitely just reads like a DEH commercial, not a Platt profile.

Updated On: 5/10/17 at 01:55 PM

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 2:15pm

Ben Platt sounds like an introvert. The kind of charming, off-the-cuff answers to media questions don't come easily to introverts. So many of them cope by giving "canned" answers. We saw this with Hillary Clinton and Anne Hathaway as well. 

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 3:05pm

Babe_Williams said: "DeNada said: "This is kind of sad.

Not pathetic, but... sad.

His family clearly worry about him (alternating weeks spent with him???) and there seems to be an undercurrent of concern at the very least from pretty much everyone interviewed here.  His performance, as good as it may be, involves huge amounts of preparation to avoid it damaging him - preparation that doesn't necessarily work.  While I hope it makes him happy, there seems to be little beyond "the work" in his life at the moment - is 23 a bit young for that?

I don't think that kind of life - that kind of performance - is sustainable in any healthy way.  It will be interesting to see how replacement performers (if there are any - will the show outlast Platt?) handle playing Evan.

 

"

That is how I read it too. Dude seems to eat, breath, sleep and live DEH only. Sounds like no way to live, but also sounds like he will be ready to step down come November. 

 

But I also agree with those who say they felt like they know less about him after reading that. I felt the same. Does he have hobbies? Interests? A pet? The piece definitely just reads like a DEH commercial, not a Platt profile.

 

"

 

...Pretty sure that is the exact point of the article/profile. To remind everyone his life is currently consumed by DEH. I don't think anyone needed to be reminded of it but its the intent of this piece. That much is clear. He's not going to talk about hobbies or pets because, as described in the piece, he doesn't have any. It's DEH 24/7. 

[LarryD2]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 3:22pm

poisonivy2 said: "Ben Platt sounds like an introvert. The kind of charming, off-the-cuff answers to media questions don't come easily to introverts. So many of them cope by giving "canned" answers. We saw this with Hillary Clinton and Anne Hathaway as well. 

 

"

I think is has more to do with the family he grew up in and who his father is. He has access to the top PR people in the business, and whoever's handling him seems to really be controlling what gets out there. As others have mentioned, there's a level of scriptedness in his interviews that is instantly recognizable (that whole "I have to work twice as hard to prove I'm not just some privileged rich boy" schtick is straight out of a PR playbook). It's actually at odds with some of the zaniness he projects on his Twitter account.

Updated On: 5/10/17 at 03:22 PM

[sgreen3]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 3:33pm

I've also found him much more open during live (non-print) interviews. I'm not sure if the video is still out there but he was on Seth Meyers' show a few months back and was very charming and yes, zany. I also attended the talk with him and Michael Greif at the 92 St Y recently and felt the same.

[Kad]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 3:35pm

I mean, it seems like all that anyone in that profile has to say is how hard of a worker he is and how talented he is. He's been working on this show for years and... that's all they have to say about him?

Granted, unlike that great profile on Nathan Lane, Platt doesn't have decades of tumultuous history to discuss.  But it doesn't paint him as a person. Just a performer who is working very hard.  And that cannot be stressed enough. I think his hard work is self-evident in his performance, so it's a shame we can't see more of who he is as an artist or person.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 3:49pm

Babe_Williams said: "DeNada said: "This is kind of sad.

Not pathetic, but... sad.

His family clearly worry about him (alternating weeks spent with him???) and there seems to be an undercurrent of concern at the very least from pretty much everyone interviewed here.  His performance, as good as it may be, involves huge amounts of preparation to avoid it damaging him - preparation that doesn't necessarily work.  While I hope it makes him happy, there seems to be little beyond "the work" in his life at the moment - is 23 a bit young for that?

I don't think that kind of life - that kind of performance - is sustainable in any healthy way.  It will be interesting to see how replacement performers (if there are any - will the show outlast Platt?) handle playing Evan.

 

"

That is how I read it too. Dude seems to eat, breath, sleep and live DEH only. Sounds like no way to live, but also sounds like he will be ready to step down come November. 

 

But I also agree with those who say they felt like they know less about him after reading that. I felt the same. Does he have hobbies? Interests? A pet? The piece definitely just reads like a DEH commercial, not a Platt profile.

 

"He's a spoiled and talented guy with the best PR team behind him and a powerful Daddy in the biz!

I seriously don't feel he's a lock now with Andy Karl being his biggest anxiety driven fear on Winning!

 



 

 

Updated On: 5/11/17 at 03:49 PM

[Robbie2]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 3:54pm

AC126748 said: "Millions of people suffer from differing levels of anxiety. I think it was mentioned to show that it influenced his understanding of the character, and not as a comment on his ability to handle the pressures of the job.

And honestly, what's described in the article--the strict diet, abstaining from alcohol, vocal rest, etc--is not uncommon among people doing 8 shows a week. In many ways, your life is not entirely your own when you're on that schedule.

 

"That's part of the discipline being the star of any show...

 

[darquegk]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 4:20pm

When Dwayne Johnson first started to break into acting, around the time of "The Mummy: The Scorpion King," I remember an article in Time magazine about him. The interviewer spent an afternoon with Johnson and was surprised at how natural, how nuanced of a person he was... then he read another article about Johnson and realized that the wrestler-turned-actor had been carefully groomed by his publicists to deliver a newspaper-worthy performance.

Nearly twenty years later, Johnson has come into himself as a media figure beyond the ring, and probably isn't as poised and artificial. But this is probably a phase everyone goes through on the way to stardom, even Broadway stardom.

[bear88]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 4:39pm

It's hard not to read this as anything but a long pitch for the Tony. Platt isn't just a rich kid who grew up in showbiz. He's a very, very hard-working actor who suffers for his art, apparently has no life outside of the show, and is starting to resemble the character he plays (without the lies). It's so bad that his family, co-stars, and other performers are concerned about him.

This all may be true, and Platt carries a heavy load in Dear Evan Hansen. He gave a very good performance, and he may be the sort of person who has trouble getting away from what is certainly a grueling role. But this reminds me of all those stories about Leonardo DiCaprio shivering in the cold during The Revenant shoot. That worked, too. He finally got the elusive Oscar.

I think a lot of my problems with Dear Evan Hansen have less to do with the show itself, which is well-acted, incisive, and touching despite some flaws, but with the surroundings - the #youwillbefound promotion that ignores its own irony, the shrieking audience reaction to Platt's first appearance, the cautious and calculated media campaign.

It's hard to shake my natural skepticism about PR campaigns when, as was sometimes the case in the musical itself, I can see the emotional manipulation. Updated On: 5/10/17 at 04:39 PM

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 4:59pm

Good grief. Not that I expected anything different on these boards, but this is just the most hilariously bitter thread. I left Dear Evan Hansen twice saying that Platt's performance was one of the best I'd ever seen, if not the best. And I stand by that. I don't care about overemotional fans or PR campaigns or who his father is or Andy Karl's ACL, or whatever other crap is causing all of this backlash. I - and many, many other people - believe that what he's doing on that stage eight shows a week is downright remarkable. No one *has* to like the show or his performance - theatre is obviously subjective. But all of the Platt/DEH backlash that has nothing to do with his performance is getting ridiculous. 

If this NYT article is a "long pitch for the Tony"... good. He deserves it.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 5:05pm

I'm amazed to learn of all the people who can apparently identify "emotional manipulation" in print pieces now. 

[DAME]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 5:07pm

JudyDenmark said: "Good grief. Not that I expected anything different on these boards, but this is just the most hilariously bitter thread. I left Dear Evan Hansen twice saying that Platt's performance was one of the best I'd ever seen, if not the best. And I stand by that. I don't care about overemotional fans or PR campaigns or who his father is or Andy Karl's ACL, or whatever other crap is causing all of this backlash. I - and many, many other people - believe that what he's doing on that stage eight shows a week is downright remarkable. No one *has* to like the show or his performance - theatre is obviously subjective. But all of the Platt/DEH backlash that has nothing to do with his performance is getting ridiculous. 

If this NYT article is a "long pitch for the Tony"... good. He deserves it.

 

"

There is backlash?   Five queens bitching on BWW is backlash?

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 5:08pm

Emotional manipulation is actually my favorite way to describe the show. 

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 5:11pm

HenryTDobson said: "Emotional manipulation is actually my favorite way to describe the show. "

 

 

100% how I'm describing it now. I'm a little peeved to see the comparison to Hedwig (and Jean Valjean.) Hedeig requires drama, comedy, dancing, singing, ad lib, physicality, and the ability to do it all in heels.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 5:11pm

^ Thank goodness that's just an opinion, and not a fact!  xo