Jason Robert Brown on How (Not) to Insult Sondheim — Page 6

Yeah. It makes JRB and his friend look oblivious, JRB like a name-dropper, and Sondheim like a delicate egotist.

And I have to wonder about the truth behind it, too. If it were indeed Putting It Together, would Sondheim really have been so wounded? Would JRB and "Franz" have had such high hopes for it?

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"Certainly nobody here has argued that Sondheim has to take orders from 20-year-olds."

This is true. I was more responding to some of the other responses I've seen outside of this thread that have more of a "How dare he ruin the theatre by telling everyone to be dishonest to each other" tone to them, which is kind of a strange thing to do here rather than on those actual responses, but it was late and here we are.

Heh, fair enough!

(Yes, I am still going on about this.) That's why I really don't get why JRB is STILL harping on it. Was this a key moment in his life he just can't drop, and has to keep bringing up with variations until he's happy? (Isn't there a play about something like that?)

Forgetting, for a moment, the details of the story, I think Brown makes a good point in his piece.

Brown and his buddy were not invited as show doctors or critics. Although, I can imagine that, in their inexperience, they thought that Sondheim might respect them more for having an opinion (or in in this case, remaining silent).

When a friend (and it was clearly Sondheim's view that he was inviting these two self proclaimed fans, as friends), invites you to an exhibition of their work, they have a right to expect your full support. Period. That's not what critics do, but it is what friends do.

If honest criticism is requested, if Sondheim had said "I'm inviting you as peers to give feedback during this creative process." that's another story. But unsolicited critique, especially beyond the point where it can be implemented, is no longer constructive.

Unless you are seriously pressed for honest critique, I've learned, having been on both sides of that experience, that when a friend says "Please come see my work." they mean "My work is about to be judged by the harshest critics imaginable, please come support ME."

It's impossible to support your friend in their most vulnerable state, by telling them their work is disappointing, "needs work", or worse.

Are you cross-eyed from staring down your nose at everyone yet?

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You'd think that you could think of at least one nice thing to say. I love Passion so maybe I'm biased, but I think even people who dislike it would say that it contains some very beautiful pieces of music. Why not mention something like that?

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Haha, yes. 23-year-olds are just old enough to be out of college. Total infants. :P

He did have something to talk about it! He talked about the weather, the food, the décor, and what shows were coming in that season!

Updated On: 11/3/12 at 02:24 PM

I guess I'm a hard ass then. I EXPECT my kids at work to exhibit BASIC courtesy and manners. If they don't, I don't care if they've never been taught it, they will get an ear load from me that they will never forget.

You won't believe the number of children I've encountered in the last decade that have NO concept of politeness, gratitude, much less humility. Entitlement is the order of the day.

As for this story, there's a time and a place. Let's keep it simple, eh?

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Updated On: 11/3/12 at 03:08 PM

I'd guess either LaChiusa or Ricky Ian Gordon.

I considered Guettel for a moment (6 years older) but he's known Steve all his life and wouldn't be writing him such a letter. Hmmm...

Michael John LaChiusa is 8 years older than Brown--but is a "Waring blender"?

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