Jesse Green Doubles Down on COMPANY (and others)

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 12:22pm

On Broadway Stages, the Beautiful Rooms Are Empty - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

"In recent musicals, hyperdesign is outstripping writing and direction for clarity, expressiveness and excitement."

Updated On: 12/31/21 at 12:22 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 12:27pm

He really takes pleasure in bashing the Company revival. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 1:23pm

Can't read it, but I, for one, love over-design. And think the show balances production value and solid performances well. Minus maybe the lead, but hey, some people liked it.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 1:26pm

It’s also nice to have a sumptuous Sondheim revival, from the design to the rich orchestra. Too often we have been stuck with minimalistic Sondheim revivals with tiny orchestras. 

[BJR]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 1:27pm

He's just mad everyone ignored his review and Company is a hit.

Also, what a pathetic idea for an article: Here is a theme I'm seeing in works I don't like. What the hell is the purpose of that?

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 1:31pm

The design for Company took my breath away. No one cares, Jesse.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 1:37pm

I'd forgotten about the cool orchestra reveal in Company. What other shows does he discuss? Can't think of any show that's as "big" as Company besides Moulin Rouge. 

[Kad]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 1:42pm

It's a bafflingly negative piece for a year-end look back, and strikes me as as kind of poor form to write something like this while the industry is very publicly struggling once again.

Of all the things Green could've used his position to write about this year- issues of abuse and race in the industry, the resilience of the community, etc.- he chooses to rehash his pans of Company and Diana, hinged on an extremely flimsy premise of "too much production value is bad except when it's not." He gives Moulin Rouge's lavishness a pass because the show is thin. Uh, okay.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 2:12pm

Never thought I’d say it, but I miss Ben Brantley. 

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 2:14pm

WiCkEDrOcKS said: "Never thought I’d say it, but I miss Ben Brantley."

Me too. At least when Brantley hated something he did it with snark and humor. Green is just plain bland. 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 2:39pm

RippedMan said: "Can't read it, but I, for one, love over-design. And think the show balances production value and solid performances well. Minus maybe the lead, but hey, some people liked it."

Here's a gift link version everyone can access.

[fosterfan2]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 2:40pm

What is this guy's problem? Did the cast of Company pee in his cornflakes? Geez.

Updated On: 12/31/21 at 02:40 PM

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 2:43pm

Meh.

I saw Company a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it. I don't remember the last time I had such a great time at the theater. 

But Jesse Green articulated his reasons for not liking the revival, and I don't think he should be attacked for it.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 3:11pm

JasonC3 said: "RippedMan said: "Can't read it, but I, for one, love over-design. And think the show balances production value and solid performances well. Minus maybe the lead, but hey, some people liked it."

Here's a gift link version everyone can access."

Thank you! Not really much was said... Like I'm sure "Kimberly Akimbo" would benefit from a Bigger production or it may not... like what? 

I've always said that I'd love to see Hamilton redesigned for a Broadway house. Or see what they would have designed if it had opened on Broadway - same with DEH.

[The Scorpion]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 3:17pm

ljay889 said: "It’s also nice to have a sumptuous Sondheim revival, from the design to the rich orchestra. Too often we have been stuck with minimalistic Sondheim revivals with tiny orchestras."

Agreed. Granted I've loved some of the minimalist productions (especially [i]Sweeney[/i]) but this was a very well-designed show that looked fresh and at the same time seemed to pay homage to Boris Aronson's original. It also starts to rankle if you pay current Broadway prices and get the bare minimum on stage. I only saw the London production of this revival so I know things have changed...the NYC letters that Green complains about weren't in the West End. But even if those aren't executed well, I certainly wouldn't call this show overdesigned. I mean, has he seen [i]Wicked[/i]?

[The Scorpion]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 3:17pm

ljay889 said: "It’s also nice to have a sumptuous Sondheim revival, from the design to the rich orchestra. Too often we have been stuck with minimalistic Sondheim revivals with tiny orchestras."

Agreed. Granted I've loved some of the minimalist productions (especially [i]Sweeney[/i]) but this was a very well-designed show that looked fresh and at the same time seemed to pay homage to Boris Aronson's original. It also starts to rankle if you pay current Broadway prices and get the bare minimum on stage. I only saw the London production of this revival so I know things have changed...the NYC letters that Green complains about weren't in the West End. But even if those aren't executed well, I certainly wouldn't call this show overdesigned. I mean, has he seen [i]Wicked[/i]?

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 3:24pm

The Scorpion said: "ljay889 said: "It’s also nice to have a sumptuous Sondheim revival, from the design to the rich orchestra. Too often we have been stuck with minimalistic Sondheim revivals with tiny orchestras."

Agreed. Granted I've loved some of the minimalist productions (especially [i]Sweeney[/i]) but this was a very well-designed show that looked fresh and at the same time seemed to pay homage to Boris Aronson's original. It also starts to rankle if you pay current Broadway prices and get the bare minimum on stage. I only saw the London production of this revival so I know things have changed...the NYC letters that Green complains about weren't in the West End. But even if those aren't executed well, I certainly wouldn't call this show overdesigned. I mean, has he seen [i]Wicked[/i]?"

He must hate the Cirque shows, ha.

[gibsons2]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 5:43pm

Who?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 6:30pm

He’s not worth it. I’m so sorry he couldn’t set aside his memories of the original production he likely never saw in order to enjoy this new interpretation.

[Synecdoche2]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 11:02pm

WiCkEDrOcKS said: "Never thought I’d say it, but I miss Ben Brantley."

Brantley had a respect for the significance of being the chief theatre critic of the New York Times. Jesse Green always seems petty and irresponsible with the column he wields. Plus his writing is boring to read — even when Brantley was obtuse, at least he was trying to write an engaging piece of writing, not just a long-winded opinion.

Updated On: 12/31/21 at 11:02 PM

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 11:26pm

ljay889 said: "He really takes pleasure in bashing the Company revival."

He has been taking the pleasure at bashing all of the new musicals! Ben Brantley was not as harsh unless the show was a bomb! We need him back!

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 1/1/22 at 12:08am

Dylan Smith4 said: "ljay889 said: "He really takes pleasure in bashing the Company revival."

He has been taking the pleasure at bashing all of the new musicals! Ben Brantley was not as harsh unless the show was a bomb! We need him back!"

All of the new musicals? No. 

The only other show he gave a negative review was Diana, and most critics agreed with him. 

This issue with Jesse Green is Company-specific, simply because so many people adore it. That doesn't make him wrong, though. I thought the show was a mixed bag that left me somewhat cold, so I welcome his criticism as a counterpoint to all the rapturous reviews, which can also get kind of annoying when you don't agree with them.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 1/1/22 at 1:10am

He's allowed to dislike Company. I just haven't really connected to his writing since he left Vulture. Maybe he had a better editor. The Company review was a rambling, disorganized mess, but when he steps outside of straightforward reviews, it's even worse. I don't know if it's the fault of the Times or if he just has too much freedom.

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 1/1/22 at 9:13am

The fact that many people here and in the review thread stooped to naysaying caterwauling or downright ad hominem is simply discombobulating. Argue with the argument, stop your baseless speculation, and please have some human decency with people who disagree with you. It's no wonder how this country devolved into the state it is in today.

[stagemag1615582571]

Posted: 1/1/22 at 10:58am

ljay889 said: "WiCkEDrOcKS said: "Never thought I’d say it, but I miss Ben Brantley."
Me too. At least when Brantley hated something he did it with snark and humor. Green is just plain bland."

And Frank Rich.