BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times — Page 3

DAME said: "There is backlash? Five queens bitching on BWW is backlash?"

If you don't think there's extensive DEH backlash on these boards (a whole lot more than "five queens", you're being willfully ignorant.

JudyDenmark said: "DAME said: "There is backlash? Five queens bitching on BWW is backlash?"

If you don't think there's extensive DEH backlash on these boards (a whole lot more than "five queens", you're being willfully ignorant. "

As opposed to... the extensive DEH lovefest that also exists on these boards?

What happens to Ben and all his anxiety if in fact he does not WIN the TONY after all of this!?

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.



"

PREACH.

Now Andy has to get his leg amputated to continue playing this ridiculous game.

I must say that I am kind of appalled by the bullying on here. It's ok to criticize an actor for their performance, but the comments being said on here are just absolutely horrible and you should all be ashamed of yourselves. It's frankly, disgusting.

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



"Five bored queens."

Five queens in a thread bitching.

I don't see anyone bullying Platt, people are always going to be a little catty on a theater message board. The guy is insanely talented, and nobody could or should ever dispute that. But I do find it nauseating that there's a connotation that the had to overcome or work harder because of his privilege. Performers who didn't grow up like he did have also worked just as hard for grueling roles and shows.

I mean, of course it's Tony promotion- that's true of any feature or article you read close to an award's ceremony- same for any part of the entertainment industry. Both his management and the producers want him to win, and keeping his name out there is a good way to help that and drum up publicity for the show on the side. It's not a dig on him- every show is going to do it.

Bullying involves the exercise of power. No one here has any power over Ben Platt. The comments are insulting and petty, not bullying.

That's quite true, and the Times writer focuses on the one unquestionably interesting thing about Ben Platt: his performance in Dear Evan Hansen. The comments from Neil Patrick Harris about it are admiring and funny. The rest of the story leans a bit too much on the 'suffering artist'
stereotype, and the main problem I had with it is that it implied that Platt's performance is so great because he's suffering more - physically and emotionally.

Maybe that's true, but isn't it also true that playing the lead role in a Broadway musical 8 days a week is inherently grueling?

There's nothing wrong with playing it safe during the pre-Tony promotional campaign. His performance stands for itself.

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

gregnyc2 said: "Ben Platt is giving one of the greatest Herculean performances of the 20th and 21st centuries. The writer echoes all of the feelings I had seeing Ben at 2d Stage, not the least of which was HYDRATE and go home after one minute at the stage door and rest

If anyone can read through the subtext of this article, Ben may very likely have some private personal questions which he's conflicted about revealing or not revealing. (Folks : musicals in his back yard. A framed Judy garland photo in his dressing room).



"

When he was still in the first movie of Perfect Pitch, I read it somewhere that he had a girlfriend.