Posted: 7/18/23 at 9:24am
After Ben gave 'Here Lies Love' a Critic Pix off-Broadway, will Jesse tread carefully when he reviews it on Broadway?
How does this work.
Updated On: 7/18/23 at 09:24 AM
Posted: 7/18/23 at 9:28am
Ben’s review is meaningless to Jesse (or whoever reviews HLL). There’s no etiquette or rules that Jesse must follow in giving his honest opinion about the show just because a different Times critic gave it a rave 10 years ago. What a silly question.
Posted: 7/18/23 at 9:33am
Charles Isherwood raved about Sweat Off Broadway, but Ben Brantley still gave the transfer a lukewarm review. Feelings don't enter the equation.
Updated On: 7/18/23 at 09:33 AM
Posted: 7/18/23 at 9:43am
Ben Brantley gave a rave for the London 'Company' and then Jesse Green trashed it for the Broadway transfer (even though I think the Broadway transfer was unbelievably better - see the tryout thread for more details). As above, it really doesn't matter.
I miss Ben Brantley though, I will say that. I feel like we have similar tastes. I know a long time ago we used to hate on him and he certainly has an interesting way with words, but I at least felt aligned especially towards the end of his career at the NYtimes. When I read Jesse's reviews sometimes it feels like I'm on another planet than him.
Updated On: 7/18/23 at 09:43 AM
Posted: 7/18/23 at 10:17am
"I miss Ben Brantley though, I will say that. I feel like we have similar tastes. "
I agree. He may have annoyed me with a few reviews, but I mostly agreed with him especially with his glowing review of "Matilda" years ago.
Posted: 7/18/23 at 11:13am
I miss Brantley, too... I didn't always agree with him, but his writing was really great. I still enjoy going back and reading his old reviews today.
Posted: 7/18/23 at 11:14am
This is just my opinion, but Jesse Green has little to no taste in theatre! As binau said, I too miss Ben Brantley! His choice of words made his reviews beautiful and interesting!
Posted: 7/18/23 at 11:55am
Fordham2015 said: "Charles Isherwood raved about Sweat Off Broadway, but Ben Brantley still gave the transfer a lukewarm review. Feelings don't enter the equation."
Spring 2017 was notable because 3 new plays moved to Broadway on the strength of a Charles Isherwood rave (Indecent, Sweat, Significant Other), but Isherwood was sacked between the time they were announced and the time they opened. None of the plays made money -- tho it's doubtful they would have sold tickets in any climate where they didn't win Best Play. That was one of the better years for new plays in recent memory, with Oslo, Doll's House 2, Play That Goes Wrong, and Oh Hello also in the mix.
Posted: 7/19/23 at 12:12am
binau said: "Ben Brantley gave a rave for the London 'Company' and then Jesse Green trashed it for the Broadway transfer (even though I think the Broadway transfer was unbelievably better - see the tryout thread for more details). As above, it really doesn't matter.
I miss Ben Brantley though, I will say that. I feel like we have similar tastes. I know a long time ago we used to hate on him and he certainly has an interesting way with words, but I at least felt aligned especially towards the end of his career at the NYtimes. When I read Jesse's reviews sometimes it feels like I'm on another planet than him."
I don't remember which show it was for, but I remember reading a Jesse Green review as someone who really disliked BB and said out loud to a friend, "G-d, I miss Ben Brantley." So I definitely, definitely get where you're coming from.
