The Wandering Hand of Mr. Long

[A Director]

Posted: 8/9/18 at 7:49pm

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/adambvary/william-ivey-long-the-lost-colony-michael-martin?bftwnews&utm_term=4ldqpgc#4ldqpgc

[bwayrose7]

Posted: 8/9/18 at 9:05pm

Here's the thing that just baffles me: in this article, like so many of its kind, reference is made to the idea that everyone just has to put up with bad behavior, in varying degrees, when a person is a "genius" or a "great talent." Why? Serious question. I've always been of the opinion that how you treat others in the workplace is equally important as how good you are at your job. I think of it this way: most decision-makers wouldn't want to hire someone who's really nice but not very good at their job, so why do they bend over backwards to accommodate people who behave in the reverse way? 

[WayTooBroadway]

Posted: 8/9/18 at 9:19pm

Unsurprisingly, The Lost Colony won the Special Tony after his first year as chairman of the American Theatre Wing. Coincidence? Maybe that’s just how power works.

[Owen22]

Posted: 8/9/18 at 9:27pm

Long always seems so sweet in interviews, I have a bitchy queen dresser friend who has always stated Long was not a nice guy and I always assumed it was a lie or exaggeration. I might owe my friend an apology (however I don't think he ever said anything about Long being sexually abusive. Just that he could be nasty, mean and at times vindictive).

Updated On: 8/9/18 at 09:27 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/9/18 at 9:38pm

bwayrose7 said: "Here's the thing that just baffles me: in this article, like so many of its kind, reference is made to the idea that everyone just has to put up with bad behavior, in varying degrees, when a person is a "genius" or a "great talent." Why? Serious question. I've always been of the opinion that how you treat others in the workplace is equally important as how good you are at your job. I think of it this way: most decision-makers wouldn't want to hire someone who's really nice but not very good at their job, so why do they bend over backwards to accommodate people who behave in the reverse way?"

The impression I got from this article is that these kids put up with it because of who he was and they were afraid of being blacklisted. People put up with it because they hoped he’d help them obtain work in New York. 

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 8/9/18 at 9:45pm

Met Mr. Long a couple of years ago and saw him on the subway the other day.  Feels like he puts on a fake smile to talk to someone "beneath" him.  Of course that doesn't make him a sexual predator, but this story isn't changing my less-than-savory opinion of him.  Wishing the alleged victim some closure.

Updated On: 8/9/18 at 09:45 PM

[EthelMae]

Posted: 8/9/18 at 10:12pm

Who knows but based on this article, I tend to believe Mr. Martin's account. When I read Mr. Martin questioning about how can a Tony Award winner be this way, I said aloud, "easy". Tony Awards don't define a person. Mr. Martin was extremely good looking then and is even better looking now. I'm sure what he said happened.

[zainmax]

Posted: 8/9/18 at 10:32pm

More corroboration would be nice, but possible.

I've seen Long on the UWS, and he seemed nice. No basis, though, for whether or not he would do something like this.

[jkcaesar2]

Posted: 8/10/18 at 6:53am

Tootsie.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 8/10/18 at 12:57pm

zainmax said:    I've seen Long on the UWS, and he seemed nice. No basis, though, for whether or not he would do something like this."

Just curious --- did you have any interaction with him on the UWS?  If not, in what way did he "seem nice"?  Unless he was witnessed kicking puppies, yelling at orphans and/or tripping old ladies with walkers --- how would one know if anyone "seems nice" just by way of seeing them out in public?

 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/10/18 at 1:06pm

From 2017: "Just Because Someone’s Nice Doesn’t Mean They’re Not A Predator"
https://nylon.com/articles/nice-allegations-against-celebrities

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 8/10/18 at 3:34pm

I think it's ridiculous also.  Is he a Broadway legend with many credits to his name including the upcoming Tootsie?  Yes.  Has he now been accused of sexual misconduct?  Yes.  Both of those things can and should be reported.  I'd like to know why they're not.

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/10/18 at 3:48pm

Just read the comments in the article. One in particular does not paint Martin in a positive light.

Updated On: 9/22/19 at 03:48 PM

[TomS3]

Posted: 9/22/19 at 11:12am

Just discovered this article and wishing you would read the buzzfeed comments on the accuser, whom I met. Michael Martin has been accused of gross acts of harrassment himself. This, like Long, does not mean he is guilty but certainly when so many people come out of the woodwork w accussations against the accuser, one needs to reapproach. (Still waiting for others to accuse Long - how curious MM is the only one...)

Michael did in fact harrass people in my presence. He groped, He demeaned and he sexually objectifed straight men and men of color. I also remember him disclosing an HIV Positive man’s health status as detailed in the buzzfeed comments.

Michael is a deeply flawed person and very cruel. His character flaws demand a more balanced perspective on Long.