Mandelbaum reviews

Mandelbaum has annoyed me for years. I can't really put my finger on why; I just get a pretenious vibe coming from his columns. I've read his work since the days of Theaterweek, and have never enjoyed his opinions or insights.

I've noticed lately that he does more reviews of cast recordings and books. Perhaps he has been taken off of reviews.

---

He's rarely written reviews in the past year or so, leaving reviewing chores to William Stevenson, Eric Grode (who mostly sticks to straight plays) or Rob Kendt (who seems to freelance for everybody). Mandelbaum writes his bi-weekly column and that's pretty much it.

The last review I remember from him was for "Sweet Charity" mainly because, I imagine, he's seen probably every woman who has played the role from Gwen Verdon on and his historical perspective is invaluable (I think he listed the Charitys he's seen once in a column -- there were over a dozen names there from the past 40 years).

---

Updated On: 11/16/05 at 07:20 PM

I have always enjoyed his reviews, and to be honest, miss them. He did do a semi-review of 'In My Life'

---

I apologize for what was an initial reaction. He is neither stupid nor innane but I can't stand the man.

---

I think Mandelbaums book on Michael Bennett's work is pretty impressive. And my copy of NOT SINCE CARRIE is dogeared!

Sometimes his tone is a little bitchy/bitter/self-important..but, to me, his saving grace is his attention to the little details involving a shows evolution. I mean really, who would have known that Estelle Getty was involved in an early version of DREAMGIRLS!

I have no problem putting up with the occasionally self-important tone of his writing, given his absolutely encyclopedic knowledge of musicals going back to the 50s. It's as if the man has seen EVERY show of the past 45 or so years, including flops that closed in Boston and New Haven, Broadway shows that closed in previews, touring companies and Broadway shows with incredibly short runs (of 3 and 4 performances sometimes). And he not only saw them, he remembers them all in astonishing detail. I'd also love to take a gander at his collection of tapes and DVDs -- he sometimes hints in his column about having certain things (including rare tapes of shows from decades ago) that any afficianado would kill to see. Yes, he has an ego, but it's worth tolerating for his knowledge and unique insights into all things related to musicals.

---

I guess it frees him to be able to comment only on the shows that he likes and not be responsible for having to review shows he doesn't. He's very old school and only likes a handful of musicals that are rock-oriented (I recall that he mentioned liking Dreamgirls, but very few others). With more and more shows coming out with a pop/rock/r&b sound, I think he'd rather not be bothered having to not only sit through them, but write critically about them.

---

I put up with it too, but as a reader and a customer, I must say it makes it harder to get through otherwise informative and well written work.

I'm pretty bitter at him about shutting down Broadway.com. I appreciate infinitely his knowledge but I just find it difficult to read his columns anymore.

As a weak example I guess it's like me hating FOX for cancelling Arrested Development. Sure they made Family Guy but they cancelled the only thing that kept me there.

Now I suppose if Mandelbaum hadn't done that I would have never found this site!

---

I love his insight. I have noticed that the majority of people who don't like him tend to be on the younger side. That has been my experience. Now that doesn't apply to everyone but that is what I have found. Quite interesting. I personally like his link to the past.

Ken Mandelbaum is the greatest living theater historian, in my opinion. I have read Not Since Carrie and A Chorus Line and The Musicals of Michael Bennett several times each. I adore his manner of writing, and his wealth of knowledge is astounding. I don't find his column irksome at all.

---

What do you mean "shutting down Broadway.com"

It looks like it's still up and running!