New York Times Critics VS New York Times Critic
New York Times Critics VS New York Times Critic
BETTY22
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/29/13
#1New York Times Critics VS New York Times Critic
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.
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#2New York Times Critics VS New York Times Critic
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.
Fordham2015
Broadway Star Joined: 4/3/17
#3New York Times Critics VS New York Times Critic
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
#4New York Times Critics VS New York Times Critic
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.
When my goodbye post was removed: “but I had a great dramatic finish!!!!”
Updated On: 7/18/23 at 09:43 AM
Zeppie2022
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/12/22
#5New York Times Critics VS New York Times Critic
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.
#6New York Times Critics VS New York Times Critic
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.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
#7New York Times Critics VS New York Times Critic
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!
The idea is to work and to experiment. Some things will be creatively successful, some things will succeed at the box office, and some things will only - which is the biggest only - teach you things that see the future. And they're probably as valuable as any of your successes. -Harold Prince
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#8New York Times Critics VS New York Times Critic
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.
#9New York Times Critics VS New York Times Critic
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.
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