Lear deBessonet will be Lincoln Center Theater's new artistic director; Bartlett Sher will be executive producer

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 9/10/24 at 11:07am

Gift link: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/10/theater/lincoln-center-theater-debessonet-artistic-director.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Jk4.Mmrq.WPXcjY_1_qeL&smid=url-share

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 9/10/24 at 11:21am

Huge, excellent news! Wonder who will be succeeding her at Encores, since - presumably - you can’t be the Artistic Director of both.

[OhHiii]

Posted: 9/10/24 at 11:22am

She has had two EXCELLENT seasons at NYCC after her rather disastrous first year. LCT feels like a much more appropriate fit for what she thought she was attempting to do with the works NYCC was putting on where people just want to see the rare show presented the way it was written with top notch casts. Lincoln Center has more latitude to interrogate pieces rather than trying to dissect and reconstruct established pieces with 2 weeks of rehearsal time to see if it even works.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 9/10/24 at 11:24am

Probably a much better fit than NYCC.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 9/10/24 at 11:26am

OhHiii said: "She has had two EXCELLENT seasons at NYCC after her rather disastrous first year. LCT feels like a much more appropriate fit for what she thought she was attempting to do with the works NYCC was putting on where people just want to see the rare show presented the way it was written with top notch casts. Lincoln Center has more latitude to interrogate pieces rather than trying to dissect and reconstruct established pieces with 2 weeks of rehearsal time to see if it even works."

100%

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 9/10/24 at 11:49am

Updated On: 9/10/24 at 11:49 AM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/10/24 at 11:51am

CoffeeBreak said: "Let's hope she HIRES directors and doesn't direct herself. She is not a good director having been in the rooms and heard actors respond to her direction after show runs. Her strength seems to be in coordinating and not actual in-room direction. Be smart LCT - set up the parameters."

Per the NYT: Both deBessonet and Sher said they expect to continue to direct shows.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 9/10/24 at 11:54am

Lincoln center has no idea what's about to hit them.  She lacks creativity, structure and is a mess.  Ask the actors who have worked for her.  Not sure she will last long.

Updated On: 9/10/24 at 11:54 AM

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 9/10/24 at 12:03pm

Incredible news! 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/10/24 at 12:06pm

I'm interested in seeing how their season planning evolves across the three spaces (assuming she'll also have a hand in LCT3). The other Broadway nonprofits have 2-3 Broadway "slots" for shows per season, but LCT hasn't usually operated in that way since when they produce a big musical they hope/expect it to have a longer run. Which then leaves them in a bind when CAMELOT folds early and the house sits empty (not even a rental) from July to March.

Lear's MIDSUMMER in the Park in 2017 was such a fizzy delight.

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 9/10/24 at 12:08pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "CoffeeBreak said: "Let's hope she HIRES directors and doesn't direct herself. She is not a good director having been in the rooms and heard actors respond to her direction after show runs. Her strength seems to be in coordinating and not actual in-room direction. Be smart LCT - set up the parameters."

Per the NYT:Both deBessonet and Sher said they expect to continue to direct shows."

Boo...

[dexter3]

Posted: 9/10/24 at 1:03pm

No.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/10/24 at 4:14pm

Wonder if they'll even replace her at Encores? Between Jenny Gersten as City Center's VP overseeing all things musical theatre, Clint Ramos as "Producing Creative Director" (whatever that means), and Mary-Mitchell Campbell as Music Director they might not need a traditional AD like in the past.

[always bway]

Posted: 9/11/24 at 9:32am

Debessonet created the hugely successful Public Works. Over 200 people onstage, ex- prisoners, cops, military, families from shelters, along side Bway actors...plus community workshops all year long so the support never stopped for the people. She created a most successful reign at Encores with Into The Woods and Parade and Mattress, not only transferring to Bway, but making money and winning accolades; she created a national art movement this year for small communities across the USA. Honestly, she has already accomplished more than most. ITW and Mattress were both well directed and very fun and most importantly, audiences LOVE both shows. That's UNDENIABLE. Her Good Person of Szechwan was a hugely impactful show at The Public.  The weird hate on here is such a clear example of how much harder it is for women. She will bring Lincoln Center into this century, she will add events and community for all New Yorkers to feel like it is their campus too, and she will continue to direct shows that people enjoy. I am very much looking forward to seeing the innovation deBessonet brings to an organization that has otherwise stayed the same for the last thirty years. 

[OhHiii]

Posted: 9/11/24 at 9:51am

Not everything requires a dissertation.

[Kad]

Posted: 9/11/24 at 10:02am

I generally like deBessonet- her Good Person of Szechwan remains the best production of a Brecht play I’ve ever seen and her Public Works productions at the Delacorte are truly joyous celebrations of theater and community. 
 

But there is no denying that she has a great number of detractors within the industry, who often criticize her as being less of a skilled or visionary director and more of a traffic cop moving a lot of bodies around stage. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/11/24 at 10:43am

We also just haven't seen her direct a large-scale musical that didn't originate as a City Center concert.

But also, as AD I doubt we'd be getting a show a year from her...some people like to get settled first, some like to direct right out of the gate.

Updated On: 9/11/24 at 10:43 AM

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 9/11/24 at 10:52am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "We also just haven't seen her direct a large-scale musical that didn't originate as a City Center concert.

But also, as AD I doubt we'd be getting a show a year from her...some people like to get settled first, some like to direct right out of the gate."

She did Hercules, though the Paper Mill production did leave a lot to be desired

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/11/24 at 11:01am

I think her direction in Into the Woods was sloppy.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 9/11/24 at 12:06pm

super sloppy and TERRIBLY uncreative even on a budget.  She pushed her way into directing the NYCC shows as AD due to its lack of structure.  The cast and creative teams working with her don't have a lot of good to say..  At LCT she will have more structure.  

LCT, once they get to know her, will regret the decision.  A massive mistake they should try to reverse now before they can't.

Updated On: 9/11/24 at 12:06 PM

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 9/11/24 at 5:18pm

CoffeeBreak said: "super sloppy and TERRIBLY uncreative even on a budget. She pushed her way into directing the NYCC shows as AD due to its lack of structure. The cast and creative teams working with her don't have a lot of good to say.. At LCT she will have more structure.

LCT, once they get to know her, will regret the decision. A massive mistake they should try to reverse now before they can't."

You’ve now made essentially the same post three times. We get it. You don’t like her.