Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Jesse Green - new NYT critic
SueBee06
Stand-by Joined: 1/12/16
#1Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 3:49pm
Just showed up on twitter.
https://twitter.com/MichaelPaulson/status/844636786546659328
#2Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 3:51pm
I must admit, I'm personally not a Jesse Green fan. I think he sometimes tends to overreact and dismisses anything that isn't highbrow.
Updated On: 3/22/17 at 03:51 PM
#3Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 3:51pm
That "co-chief critic" title must be a slap right to Isherwood's face.
I'm a little surprised--I expected them to hire from within. But Green is a solid choice.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
MyLife
Broadway Star Joined: 12/2/06
#4Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 3:53pm
I've never been a fan of Jesse's. I was hopeful that Isherwood's firing (uh...resignation) would leave an open space for something refreshing and we get the exact opposite.
VintageSnarker
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/30/15
#5Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 3:53pm
Good for him. He's one of the few critics whose opinion I find reliable but I'm probably not going to read his reviews as much now that they'll be behind that NYT paywall.
#6Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 3:55pm
I kind of thought Alexis Soloski was going to be promoted up. But Jesse Green is a good choice- even when I don't agree with him (which is often), his reviews are worth reading.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#7Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 4:00pm
The sound you hear is producers all over the city shaking in their boots. Green is a very good writer but one with very erratic theatre tastes. He is often the "lone dissenter" on consensus opinions about productions - which is scary given that the Times review is really the only one producers bank on to sell tickets.
“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.”
#8Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 4:01pm
Who's gonna takeover for him at vulture?
My father (AIDS)
My sister (AIDS)
My uncle and my cousin and her best friend (AIDS, AIDS, AIDS)
The gays and the straights
And the white and the spades
Updated On: 3/22/17 at 04:01 PM
#9Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 4:03pm
This is great news. I love his reviews and his writing.
A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.
Margo319
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/15
#11Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 4:18pm
I will admit to being a little surprised/disappointed that they didn't choose a woman and/or person of color, but Jesse Green is an excellent critic, even when I don't agree with him. His reviews are always thoughtful and well-written, much more than a synopsis of the show. He's certainly an improvement over Isherwood- and Brantley, for that matter.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#12Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 4:29pm
Jesse Green is the best critic writing about theater in New York. It's a great call on their part, even though he's a white man. Can't complain, except that he won't be covering everything anymore.
You don't have to agree with him to admit he's a great writer and immensely knowledgeable.
Also, I love the Isherwood shade with the co chief critic title.
#13Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 4:33pm
I agree that Green is an excellent reviewer, but this surprises me. He's not a diversity hire, and that's what I thought the Times would go for. But I'm happy, and I congratulate him. I hope he has time to write some long-form articles for the Times also.
#14Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 4:42pm
If his "review" of COME FROM AWAY is any indication of the level of critical thought in NYC these days...
... well, we'll just leave that here.
http://docandraider.com
#15Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 4:42pm
As neonlights says, Jesse Green is definitely the best writer currently reviewing New York theater. I don't always share his opinion, but I'm really glad that the New York Times didn't play the race card or the gender card and simply got the best person for the job.
“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.”
#16Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 4:45pm
Yes, I didn't agree with his review of Come From Away. But to be fair, a couple of other reviews gave the show "the side eye." So if he is an outlier, he's not the only one in this case.
#17Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 4:46pm
QueenAlice said: "I don't always share his opinion, but I'm really glad that the New York Times didn't play the race card or the gender card and simply got the best person for the job.
"
Are you implying people who are not male or "white" Caucasians are not competent for the job?
#18Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 5:00pm
Dancingthrulife2 said: "QueenAlice said: "I don't always share his opinion, but I'm really glad that the New York Times didn't play the race card or the gender card and simply got the best person for the job."
Are you implying people who are not male or "white" Caucasians are not competent for the job?"
I'm going to presume that that was not the intent. Rather, it was simply looking for the best person — regardless of race or gender or what have you — for the position.
Frankly, I find it difficult to believe he *was* that person, but I"m still giving QA the benefit of the doubt.
http://docandraider.com
#19Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 5:10pm
Not Dancingthrulife2 - Queen never implied that. Or even say that. There's enough bs on this board without creating more.
I was personally rooting for Elisabeth Vincentelli but this is a good and solid choice.
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
#20Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 5:13pm
Dancingthrulife2 said: "QueenAlice said: "I don't always share his opinion, but I'm really glad that the New York Times didn't play the race card or the gender card and simply got the best person for the job.
"
Are you implying people who are not male or "white" Caucasians are not competent for the job?
"
Yes as a woman who is only half white that is exactly what I was inferring. Good grief.
“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.”
#21Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 5:18pm
I figured it was going to be either Green or Soloski. Either would've been a fine choice, but I'm glad it's Green - and astonished Brantley consented to the co-chief status. The Times has two equal critics in all their other major arts sections, but still - wow! It'll be interesting to see which shows get covered by which man. Both are rather unpredictable.
barcelona20
Broadway Star Joined: 1/19/08
#22Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 5:23pm
Echoing earlier sentiments, Jesse is the best reviewer of Broadway in my opinion, but his reviews will be missed since he won't be reviewing every show.
#23Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 5:26pm
M.O.A.I. said: "I figured it was going to be either Green or Soloski. Either would've been a fine choice, but I'm glad it's Green - and astonished Brantley consented to the co-chief status. The Times has two equal critics in all their other major arts sections, but still - wow! It'll be interesting to see which shows get covered by which man. Both are rather unpredictable.
"
Regarding the Co-Chief statues, I have no doubt The Times is looking at a Brantley retirement in the next coming years. In truth, Brantley has already been there way longer than any reviewer they've ever had in the position. Having another theater critic as co-chief will make the transition easier when they name Brantley's successor.
“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.”
Sunny11
Broadway Star Joined: 9/3/14
#24Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 5:31pm
The NYT can only hire from the experienced talent pool that is available and I think that most of the prominent NY theater critics are caucasian and male. Green is as qualified for the job as anybody I can think of.
To get diversity you have to look at recruitment for the entry level and junior level positions and then give them time to climb up the ranks.
#25Jesse Green - new NYT critic
Posted: 3/22/17 at 6:03pm
Excellent choice. As others have said, I don't always share his opinion but I love reading his reviews.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
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