Misleading Critics Choice Ad

Today I saw something that I don't remember ever seeing again.

In the NY Times there is a full page ad for SIGNIFICANT OTHER and it has the Times' "critics choice" logo prominently displayed -- it's the largest thing in the whole ad, and the blurb from the Times is at the top of the ad. But Brantley DIDNT give it his thumbs up.

If you look really really carefully, there is a tiny little small print next to it that says "2015/2017" on its side. Which, I guess means that when it was off Broadway in an earlier production, someone at the Times (Isherwood?) gave it the CC.

But I'd think that (a) everyone in the industry would "play fair" on this -- this production didn't get that rating from the Times and (b) since the ad is running in the Times, wouldn't they refuse to print it?

I'm totally flummoxed. Anybody ever see this before?

First of all, they are desperate and desperate times/desperate measures.and all.

Secondly, it is a transfer, not a different production so they are not out of line or misleading. Would you feel the same if a show was advertised itself as the "Drama Desk winning production" even if it didn't win the Tony? The fact is, it was a critic's pick.

Finally, in the scheme of things, there are MUCH sketchier ads for shows. Let them try to sell a few tickets.

It doesn't say Brantley's name any where, doe it? Your insistence that it wasn't for THIS priduction...but it was. This is a transfer of the off bway production, with (likely) minimal differences.



Shows brag about being the most nominated show, counting all the awards show noms...knowing damn well people will assume TONY Award noms



It might be a shade of gray, but it's not lying.

BroadwayConcierge said: "It would be a stretch—and a lie—if a revival production used the Critics’ Pick seal that a show received in its original run. This isn’t the case here, though. They’re retooling the seal they received from basically the very same production that transferred to Broadway. It’s a gray area for sure, but this isn’t that big a deal. Plus, I love this show and I'm very sad that they're struggling, so I say let 'em.



"I;ve never said a single snarky thing on these Boards -- but I'll break that streak --

I can see if folks think it's OK. I disagree, but I see and respect your point

-- but to say that because you like the production that its ok to do it is really disappointing to hear.

When did the end start to justify the means?

I guess the idiot in Washington isn't the only person who thinks that facts are "relative."

The fact is this is the same production that got a critic's pick from a NYT critic, just a different venue. It's like saying a touring production can't advertise off a review from a previous city.

;Another way to consider it: shows use original quotes for a show even though the entire cast has been replaced....it's not THOSE actors that rec'd the accolades, but it still "counts". So does this.



Nothing immoral here. At all.

well, Mike66, as long as you don't mind making up things when you don't like the extant facts, then everything you say is true. Sound familiar?

It IS the same production. That is not an opinion. You can throw around the word respect but you are not respecting facts.

You are certainly free to get exercised about how people spin and pitch their shows or anything else. This one just strikes me as an odd cause. Why not go after "The Greatest Show on Earth" while you still can?