BEN PLATT: LIVE AT THE PALACE Thread — Page 5

Peter Barker said: "Has anyone actually seen the concert? I'm curious how he engages the audience and if his banter between songs comes across asrelaxedand naturalor more scripted andrehearsed. As a talented and two-time Tony Award winning theater actor, he ticks all the boxes that most people want from Broadway performers. It's a shame that his offscreen persona overshadows this.

"

At last night’s show, the banter felt planned but not scripted. It felt like the beats were planned, but it was still somewhat off the cuff. He seemed a touch nervous, perhaps, and a little goofy. Not hugely noteworthy in a good OR bad way.

https://nypost.com/2024/05/29/entertainment/ben-platt-opens-palace-theatre-residency-with-kacey-musgraves/

I saw the show tonight. I had a good time. Ben is very talented. He only knows how to make one face, but his voice is wonderful. I liked his own songs more than I expected. I knew a few of the older ones and like the sound of the new album. The best parts of the concert were undeniably all the covers though. Highlights of the night were Till There Was You with Kristen Chenoweth (they were Marian and Winthrop at the Hollywood Bowl), Requiem, Maybe This Time, and Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

To answer Peter Barker's question, I thought he was wonderfully relaxed and off-the-cuff. He came accross very genuinely and was much more funny than I would have thought.

This was my first time at the Palace and it's just such a special venue. The auditorium itself looks GORGEOUS. I love the new color scheme and the chandelier. All of the new spaces look very pretty. But, besides the bathrooms, it's giving Marquis in that it seems squeezed in because it had to be and not super practical. The box office and escalators were fine going in, but it felt very tight in the lobby at the top of the escalators. The stairway down to the bathrooms below the orchestra felt very tight and like it could easily get very clogged. The real problem was on the way out. There is NOWHERE near enough space at the bottom of the escalators to allow people to safely exit them and make space for the people behind them. It was pouring out after the show, so people were congregating under the marquee. It was very crowded. Coming off the escalators, you had to shove quickly to get out of the way before the people behind you needed to get off. It could get dangerous very quickly.

kcohen626:

Thanks for the review. I've only seen a few theater 'concerts' and they all live or die by how well the performer reads the room and engages the audience. Short of Judy Garland clawing her way on stage for a duet, it seems the reopening of THE PALACE (edit) won't be fondly remembered.

Updated On: 5/30/24 at 12:02 AM

Jordan Catalano said: "I roll my eyes at anyone who gets “mad” at people getting jobs through their family. Hell, Nicky down the street works at his dads bodega - is he a nepo baby? Of course children of rich and famous people are going to have a leg up in the entertainment business. Being angry about that is beyond stupid."

Younger people like to latch onto a buzzy phrase or concept without knowing what they’re talking about. Their indignation is meaningless.

smidge said: "Peter Barker said: "kcohen626:

Thanks for the review. I've only seen a few theater 'concerts' and they all live or die by how well the performer reads the room and engages the audience. Short of Judy Garland clawing her way on stage for a duet, it seems the reopening of The Majestic won't be fondly remembered."

This is taking place at the Palace."

Of course it's The Palace! It's late and I'm going to bed!!

Jordan Catalano said: "I roll my eyes at anyone who gets “mad” at people getting jobs through their family. Hell, Nicky down the street works at his dads bodega - is he a nepo baby? Of course children of rich and famous people are going to have a leg up in the entertainment business. Being angry about that is beyond stupid."

its just so particularly egregious in this case-- he has a (more classically attractive, more readily cast-able) brother with the same connections, but who doesnt have the raw talent needed for star turns in Book of Mormon, Dear Evan Hansen and Parade. The idea that Marc Platt had to twist anyone's arm to cast Ben in these roles that make him a Broadway star is comical. And his connections are doing little for his movie/music careers, because that isnt what he naturally excels at. In so many ways he is the OPPOSITE of a nepo baby.

anyway 2+ hours of listening to him sing is not for me, but i look fwd to his next theater performance.

Shubert Alley Cat said: "So Kristin was his guest tonight? Can anyone confirm?"

Jordan Catalano said: "I roll my eyes at anyone who gets “mad” at people getting jobs through their family. Hell, Nicky down the street works at his dads bodega - is he a nepo baby? Of course children of rich and famous people are going to have a leg up in the entertainment business. Being angry about that is beyond stupid."

A kid selling candy at dad's bodega or sitting on a board of daddy founded company is called keeping wealth in the family. It's normal and expected when kids continue working in businesses founded by parents. It's called being an heir. Family will always have a business best interest. It's not correct to compare art and entertainment with other industries. Art is about discovering and showcasing the best talent, which certainly is not hereditary, and some famous nepo babies are quite talented in their own right. But then we have "actors" like Dakota Johnson and I keep wondering who lost all these roles she's been in to her. Someone never got a chance to be discovered because she has a leg up, all thanks to her famous (and talented) parents. We are not angry, just disappointed :)

Updated On: 5/30/24 at 10:45 AM

OhHiii said: "morosco said: "Platt sings "Vibrato This Time" from CABARET"

This is objectively horrible."

Glad someone said it...

EvanstonDad said: "Oof, looking at the ticket availability for this is actually painful. I mean I literally can't imagine who would want to see this guy in concert, and I would never buy a ticket myself. But still, it's hard not to feel for anyone playing to audiences as sparse as this."

Lucious said: “I’m sure your heart genuinely bleeds for him. 🙄. I’ve never come across so many people who dislike an entertainer so much, yet continuously monitor their ticket sales, watch their videos, and are quick to post in every thread about them. My God, this level of jealousy and envy must be a real bitch to bear. It’s hard not to feel for them.”

EvanstonDad said: “You make it sound like I'm obsessed with Ben Platt. I saw this thread and got curious about how it was selling based on what people were saying, so looked at seating charts. So you read into that that I'm jealous and envious to the point where I'm "continuously" monitoring his every move? Way to leap to huge assumptions about a random stranger on the internet who posted one thing. This says more about you and your mentality than it does me."

Everything I said after my first, admittedly, sarcastic comment was not directed at you specifically. I was commenting in general on the number of haters on this board who do exactly as I stated. If I came off presumptuous by giving the impression that I was lumping you in with them, then I apologize for not being more succinct.

Thanks for clarifying and no hard feelings. Your follow up message shows more maturity than 99% of people on the internet :)

gibsons2 said: "But then we have "actors"like Dakota Johnson and I keep wondering who lost all these roles she's been in to her. Someone never got a chance to be discovered because she has a leg up, all thanks to her famous (and talented) parents. We are not angry, just disappointed :)"

Uh... Dakota Johnson has been the best thing about virtually every movie she's been in.