Mandelbaum reviews

[Mutts]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 7:11pm

I went to Broadway.com to see what Ken Mandelbaum had to say aout the new Sweeney and I see that he didn't write the review. Is he not doing reviews of musicals for that site anymore?

[justme2]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 7:16pm

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.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 7:18pm

Mandelbaum is an innane fool who wouldn't know Broadway if it slapped him in the face, which I hope someone does the next time he mentions the fact that he's a Tony voter.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 7:20pm

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

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 7:24pm

Ken Mandelbaum is far from an innane fool. He is incredibly knowledgable. As a reviewer of revivals, he tends to be overly biased and partial to the "original productions" but he always offers interesting insights in his critiques. I have also heard that as a person, he is frequently unpleasant. But to say he wouldn't know Broadway if it slapped him in the face is absurd. He's seen more Broadway, Pre Broadway and Off Broadway productions then most of the people on this board combined.

[Jimmcf]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 7:30pm

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

[morosco]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 8:01pm

I love reading anything Mandelbaum writes. He keeps thinkgs in perspective. Here's a clip from a 2003 conversation from that I just found online that's rather funny..

[RobertArmin] Terry Hands, the director, ran into Fran Weissler at some get-together before he started work on Carrie...and he said, "I'm going to be directing a musical version of Carrie. How do you see such the show being staged?" (or something to that effect) And Fran answered -- "I see it like Grease." And Hands thought she meant "Greece," which explains the togas and the white columns! If it isn't true, it should be!
[KenMandelbaum] That is a scream---and entirely possible.
[RobertArmin] It's the only logical answer for that insane opening number.



Here's the whole conversation Updated On: 11/16/05 at 08:01 PM

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 8:29pm

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

[morosco]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 8:56pm

Hey Sumofallthings, do you have any specifics on why you "can't stand the man"? Was it something he wrote? Was it something he said?

[Flahooley]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 2:57pm

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!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 3:00pm

I'm sure he'll have a mini-Sweeney review in an upcoming column. He tends to write at least a blurb of what he thinks abut each major Broadway production.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 3:10pm

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.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 3:16pm

I think I remember him saying somewhere that he has no desire to review full-time anymore.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 3:20pm

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.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 3:26pm

He has some really interesting articles on Broadway.com

He once did a two part article reviewing EVERY Sweet Charity recording made, it was great. He is extremely knoweledgable about this show, and many others.

I reread his CHARITY REVIVAL review. And he comes off really heartbroken about the changes made. But I completely respect his opinion because the man has seen like every professional production of this show.

[Flahooley]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 3:30pm

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.

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 3:44pm

I am in agreement with Margo and M. Bennett (which is usually a good thing, wouldn't you say?). Ken Mandelbaum can come across as very aloof and unpleasant, and I can't say I agree with his opinions about works like Floyd Collins and Urinetown, but the man knows as much about the theatre as anyone currently working in it, in any capacity. Even his articles about topics that don't interest me much (comparing recordings, reviewing London performers' solo albums) eventually draw me in. His attention to detail make him one of our foremost historians, and his writing style is really articulate (unlike this post).

On the other hand, he isn't very keen on the "new theatre music" composers, and for this reason I would never want to spend a day with the guy. But damn if I don't read every single column he writes.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 4:27pm

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!

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 4:34pm

I would love to spend a day with this man, just to talk about Gwen Verdon, Charity, Etc.

[my2cents]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 4:52pm

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.

[leefowler]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 5:17pm

Anyone who knows as much about musicals as Ken Mandlebaum should be paid attention to. Personally, I wish he reviewed for the Times

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 5:24pm

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.

[justme2]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 6:16pm

I am NOT on the younger side, and can appreciate that he has extensive theater knowledge. What I don't appreciate is his pretenious air, and condescending attitude towards readers.

[thebigkrakowski]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 6:30pm

What do you mean "shutting down Broadway.com"

It looks like it's still up and running!

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 6:34pm

I think he meant theater.com