BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times- Page 4
BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
#75BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/11/17 at 6:49am
Kad said: "I think Platt is tremendously talented and giving a Tony-worthy performance, but there's something about him that strikes me as oddly coached or packaged in interviews/profiles. It could be just me, but I feel like I'm always reading him through the heavy filter of press people handling him.
"
And/or he's learning how to keep a hold of himself (without being a dick about it) when everybody in the world wants a piece of him. That's how the article reads to me. When I saw him on James Cordon's show, Platt seemed appropriately goofy and quirky, and easily amused by the three others who shared Cordon's couch. (No, I don't know the guy and haven't see the show.)
Fan123
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/30/08
#76BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/11/17 at 7:31am
As others have mentioned, given how celebrities are pilloried and sometimes blacklisted by the public for the slightest perceived or actual PR misstep, I can see why Ben Platt or anybody else would play it very safe with the media. If Platt comes across as a bland inoffensive robot, we the public created that robot. Or, maybe Platt knows that media attention will indirectly help to up his future job prospects, but is naturally a private person, so is trying to share as little of his personal life as possible with the media while also avoiding getting labelled as rude or reclusive. It's not as if he owes it to the world to share anything personal if he doesn't want to, anyway. Leave Ben Platt alooooone! (If relevant, I haven't seen his DEH performance.)
#77BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/11/17 at 8:42am
HenryTDobson said: "Emotional manipulation is actually my favorite way to describe the show. "
Because emotional manipulation has NEVER been employed in well-respected/successful musicals
HAHA!
"I shall stay until the wind changes."
Updated On: 5/11/17 at 08:42 AM
Liza's Headband
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/13
#78BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/11/17 at 9:26am
to LYLS' point, aren't all dramatic pieces of work emotionally manipulative by their very nature?
djoko84
Broadway Star Joined: 3/14/13
#79BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/11/17 at 10:25am
Looks like Dear Evan Hansen is going full force with their Tonys campaign. Rachel Bay Jones got a great profile in today's Hollywood Reporter:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tony-awards-rachel-bay-jones-dear-evan-hansen-nomination-caps-three-decade-quest-1002098
#80BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/11/17 at 11:12am
I loved this article! A great and very detailed profile.
Jish
Stand-by Joined: 8/13/07
#81BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/11/17 at 1:10pm
Liza's Headband said: "to LYLS' point, aren't all dramatic pieces of work emotionally manipulative by their very nature? "
Sure - I think that is fair.
When I saw DEH at 2ST I described it as fetishizing awkwardness. It bothered me that the show seems designed to make people feel like they understand the struggle of not fitting in and have gone on the journey with Evan despite the ridiculous and unrealistic depiction of his choices throughout the show.
Before I went to the show somebody told me I would love it because "you either were that guy or you knew that guy" which to me speaks to this fetishizing. There are a lot of people who have never been introverted or had trouble fitting in who feel that they are somehow paying there penance by loving Dear Evan Hansen.
The whole vibe creeps me out. That said, I am going to see it on Broadway in two weeks and my plan is to focus in on enjoying the actors and performances now that I have already processed the content once.
LarryD2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/1/14
#82BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/11/17 at 1:34pm
The level of candor in the Jones interview--when compared with the Platt interview--is quite telling.
#83BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/11/17 at 2:23pm
thanks for the link to Rachel's profile, djoko. Her career has always been a mystery to me because i wondered what she was up to for the 20 years between Broadway shows. I think she's phenomenal and hope she wins!
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
bear88
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/26/16
#84BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/11/17 at 2:27pm
Platt and Jones are at different places in their lives and careers.
The Jones profile would have been much easier. There's such a natural arc to her story that it almost writes itself. Actor comes to Broadway at a young age and has early success. Then the parts don't come and she gets work where she can, has a child, and then returns to Broadway in her 40s in two acclaimed musicals, the latter of which got her a Tony nomination. The Jones profile doesn't discuss the physical and emotional toll of the part. Instead, it relies on discussing and appreciating her relatively-late career success.
Platt is 23. There's no professional struggle to discuss, because he hasn't struggled (getting turned down for Dogfight as a teen doesn't really count). Instead, the Times story focuses on Platt's much-acclaimed performance, and the apparent physical and emotional toll it has on him. The article's thesis is that Platt is totally focused on playing Evan Hansen, so focused that his posture suffers and he lives a 'monkish existence' that separates him even from his co-stars. So much for being a 23-year-old Broadway star, on top of the world. While I am naturally suspicious of this sort of characterization, because it seems a little too packaged, I have no reason to think it's a lie.
I have seen Platt in interviews, and he comes across as an earnest but pretty normal guy under the circumstances. He is the central focus of his show, and he would be attacked mercilessly if he said something that offended someone now - especially because of the subject matter of Dear Evan Hansen.
I had a few issues with the profile, but I don't blame him - or the people around him - one bit for being very cautious.
#85BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/11/17 at 6:34pm
I felt the austere tone of the piece was a great metaphor for the life he needs to lead to do this show. I believe he takes this opportunity very seriously and is old school about the discipline. It doesn't mention if he is an extrovert or an introvert, but I am guessing an introvert. He feels he has a lot to prove with this show-it rides on him, he comes from privilege and wants to prove himself as committed. If he is an introvert he won't show many colors during an interview or may be more reserved, so the writer needs to produce some tension.
Many actors I've met (Marin Mazzie, Ute Lemper, Jackie Burns) have discussed a similar approach when they have a lead role in a demanding show. I don't think he is out of the realm of doing what is required, it just seems weirder because he is so young and we expect younger performers to be more resilient.
Also, much like N2N, this is a show with that very emotionally invested (ie obsessive) fan base that can wear on you. I think that emotional toll is harder. People wanting to share stories, etc. That will give the kid anxiety and stress. They should always take him out a back alley to be honest. I think he's too young for the stage door crowd on this one. Especially if he is introverted.
I have great respect for him and his desire to make all of his shows. That is how it should be when you are carrying a show. It's how Chita, Patti, Bernadette, Audra, etc. all roll.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
#86BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/12/17 at 11:00am
The previous two posts above are spot on! BettyBoy 72 and bear88, excellent analysis!
CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.
GhostXmasPast
Understudy Joined: 11/4/16
#87BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/12/17 at 1:02pm
I would fully expect that all nominees would be engineering some sort of "campaign" to support their nomination. Out of sight is out of mind. So far the publicity I have seen for all nominees has been positive - which befits this season with such a worthy group of possible winners.
Gensho
Stand-by Joined: 12/8/05
#88BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/12/17 at 2:08pm
I loved this piece. I'm not surprised about how challenging his life must be right now. He's giving a remarkable performance. I've seen it 3 times and each time I'm blown away by his 110% investment in the role. Also, crying and singing at the same time is extraordinarily difficult. Usually your voice cuts off.
Also, can we drop the whole Evan Hansen is a psychopath or sociopath, armchair psychologists? He is neither.
Im now focused on the framed picture of Judy Garland in his dressing room. He also sang The Man That Got Away recently. Maybe he plays for our team?
ijest22
Stand-by Joined: 4/14/17
#89BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/12/17 at 2:08pm
If he really has such top notch PR folks on his side, I'm surprised they didn't squash the statement that he's "likely" to win a Tony. No better way to lose one than to make it seem like a forgone conclusion. Having said that, I'll cry if he doesn't win.
#90BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/13/17 at 9:33pm
Dancingthrulife2 said: "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.
"
That doesn't mean much.
#91BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/13/17 at 10:43pm
ljay889 said: "Dancingthrulife2 said: "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.
"
That doesn't mean much.
"
It would be outrageous if he did somehow find a "girlfriend" to cover it up.
#92BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/13/17 at 11:24pm
Dancingthrulife2 said: "ljay889 said: "Dancingthrulife2 said: "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.
"
That doesn't mean much.
"
It would be outrageous if he did somehow find a "girlfriend" to cover it up.
The initial premise of this exchange - viz., that performing musicals in his back yard and having a framed photo of Judy Garland in his dressing room suggests that Ben has "private personal issues" about which he is "conflicted" -- plays into inane stereotypes about men who are fans of musicals.
froote
Broadway Star Joined: 2/14/17
#93BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/13/17 at 11:43pm
https://youtu.be/xDaKEymggXs
2:37
'Tell me about your first breakup'
Ben: 'HE started dating my best friend'
Let's move on.
#94BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/14/17 at 1:21am
Andy51 said: "Dancingthrulife2 said: "ljay889 said: "Dancingthrulife2 said: "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.
"
That doesn't mean much.
"
It would be outrageous if he did somehow find a "girlfriend" to cover it up.
The initial premise of this exchange - viz., that performing musicals in his back yard and having a framed photo of Judy Garland in his dressing room suggests that Ben has "private personal issues" about which he is "conflicted" -- plays into inane stereotypes about men who are fans of musicals.
"
Your interpretation is totally valid but I'm sure I'm not the only one who read it this way.
#95BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/14/17 at 2:32am
Has anyone seen the show this past week? A friend told me Ben's vocals have not been 100% compared to the performances she saw back in November and January.
I hope his vocal health goes back to 100% since majority of Tony voters will be watching the show this month.
#96BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/14/17 at 2:51am
Woah wait is Ben gay? I need this to be clarified before we proceed with this conversation.
#97BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/14/17 at 3:12am
He has had, according to that interview at least one romantic relationship with a man. Beyond that? Shrug, who cares.
Updated On: 5/14/17 at 03:12 AM#98BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/14/17 at 7:22am
My understanding is he has always been bi (friends both male and female have seen him on tinder.) I don't see why this matters?!?!?
His favorite musical is Sunday in the Park with George and after reading this article I can see why. He loves being an artist above all else, perhaps even more than his personal life.
#99BEN PLATT Profiled in the NY Times
Posted: 5/14/17 at 8:33am
Wick3 said: "Has anyone seen the show this past week? A friend told me Ben's vocals have not been 100% compared to the performances she saw back in November and January.
I hope his vocal health goes back to 100% since majority of Tony voters will be watching the show this month.
"
I saw him Weds matinee and thought he was on top form.
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