How does New York Times assign critics
How does New York Times assign critics
BETTY22
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/29/13
#1How does New York Times assign critics
Posted: 4/27/23 at 7:47am
I loved seeing Elizabeth's name on the review of 'New York, New York.'
This show with Kander and Ebb, Lin Manuel Miranda and Stroman is one of the biggest of the seasons and I think it's wonderful that it was assigned to Elizabeth.
Sixty-eight percent of Broadway's audiences is female.
Maybe it's time to make Vincentelli and Green to be co-chief theater critics for The New York Times
raddersons
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/14/13
#2How does New York Times assign critics
Posted: 4/27/23 at 7:58am
I often disagree with Elizabeth but I appreciate her analysis.
JasonC3
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/21
#3How does New York Times assign critics
Posted: 4/27/23 at 8:42am
I know this question has been explored in previous threads, but I had no luck finding them. Perhaps someone with better BroadwayWorld search skills can do so.
I vaguely recall people saying that in general, the lead critic gets to choose what to review. After that, there were a variety of caveats related to who reviewed an out-of-town, off-Broadway, or London production that transferred to Broadway; who had written profiles related to the production; and other factors that came into play.
#4How does New York Times assign critics
Posted: 4/27/23 at 8:47am
Vincentelli's reviews in the NY Post were always a good read. Like raddersons said, I too disagreed with her sometimes, but I never walked away angry the way I did with other critics I disagreed with.
#5How does New York Times assign critics
Posted: 4/27/23 at 8:47am
Editors make assignments, not journalists. Green, however, in his role as chief theater critic, does have greater leverage to indicate his preferences. At a time like the end of the Broadway season, where there are multiple shows opening in the span of a week, it's nearly impossible for one critic to cover every single opening in a way that would align with the editing and publishing schedule for a daily newspaper the size of the Times.
BETTY22
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/29/13
#6How does New York Times assign critics
Posted: 4/27/23 at 11:16am
raddersons said: "I often disagree with Elizabeth but I appreciate her analysis."
You just said in a few works what I was trying to say.
Like you, I don't always agree but when she raves I can always see the quality and the craft.
Plus, she's a fabulous writer. Witty without been mean.
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#7How does New York Times assign critics
Posted: 4/27/23 at 11:38am
AC126748 said: "Editors make assignments, not journalists. Green, however, in his role as chief theater critic, does have greater leverage to indicate his preferences. At a time like the end of the Broadway season, where there are multiple shows opening in the span of a week, it's nearly impossible for one critic to cover every single opening in a way that would align with the editing and publishing schedule for a daily newspaper the size of the Times."
iirc, Green essentially chooses which shows he would like to review (with some input & collab with the editor), and then the editor assigns all the rest.
#8How does New York Times assign critics
Posted: 4/27/23 at 11:52am
ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "AC126748 said: "iirc, Green essentially chooses which shows he would like to review (with some input & collab with the editor), and then the editor assigns all the rest."
That is correct, at least as to Broadway. With Brantley, there were obviously off and off-off B shows, companies, playwrights, etc. that he chose to follow and review (and champion); the latter seems less obvious with Green.
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