For Real Questions From My NY Trip Last Week — Page 2

The crucible one: having seen other nominees of best performance given by an actor in a play, I totally agree with the nominators' decision. Ben is giving an amazing performance, but the competition is too strong this year in almost every category. He didn't wow me as much as Mark Strong in A View from the Bridge, or originate a role that grabs your attention immediately, or reprise a role but also add something to it. To me, Ben is certainly talented but in Crucible he is doing a good job and that's it. You would expect a nominee to do more than that in a season like this. As for the show, the music and lighting, while impressive, seem to be telling the audience what it should feel. The play Arthur Miller wrote is competent enough without the frills that assume the audience to be dumb and not able to understand the play without "guidance."

Updated On: 5/31/16 at 06:52 AM

1. I've seen Hamilton three times, but all with Lin, so I can't compare Javier's Hamilton to Lin's. But I thought Lin gave an incredible performance every time. The breadth of his character, how he showed the different facets of Hamilton's personality, emotional range and subtlety in different scenes-- incredible. Yes, he is a less gifted singer than Leslie, but looking at these two performances specifically I personally would go with Lin over Leslie.



I also loved the Crucible. It took me a little while to sink into the production and lose myself in it, but then once it clicked I was spellbound...er...ok, bad pun. But I thought it was great and am seeing it a second time this week.