Which is worse: Once or Violet?- Page 3

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/5/14 at 2:12pm

Why is he relevant? His experience prior to his NY Times gig was,I understand,in fashion. Really great experience for a theater critic.

He is relevant only because people listen to him for their own reasons instead of judging something for themself.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 10/5/14 at 2:14pm

I loved Once as did my partner. Sadly, I missed Violet. I wish I hadn't.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/5/14 at 2:22pm

Brantley isn't relevant, he just thinks he is. He doesn't influence sales of shows for 99% of people who go see them on Broadway.

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 10/5/14 at 3:17pm

The New York Times Chief Theater Critic always has been and always will be relevant. Right now, the person in that role happens to be Ben Brantley and that makes him relevant to producers, backers and Broadway decision makers even if Ma and Pa Kettle from Nebraska may not always know who he is.

If only Brantley had given ROCKY a rave, Roxy would be on here for the 75th time singing his praises instead of for the 75th time whining about him. But it's good that Roxie sticks to 2 or 3 basic comments and just keeps repeating them over and over in thread after thread. It avoids overtaxing his limited capacity for thought.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/5/14 at 3:23pm

Brantley is the Rocky of Wildhorn's Loretta Swit.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/5/14 at 3:56pm

You'd be surprised how many people will not see a show old Ben does not like

Unlike someone like Roma Torre who is not nasty but gives constructive criticism, old Ben enjoys putting the knife in and twisting it. When the body (show) is bleeding out , he gives it a few well placed kicks to finish off his usual hatchet job. I cannot respect someone like that. Many shows will close unless they get nearly universal raves from all of the other critics if old Ben does not like it.

To me most critics have not a scintilla of creativity and they get their kicks knocking people who do.

[dreaming]

Posted: 10/5/14 at 4:04pm

I try to see shows right before they open in order to form my own opinion. I have disagreed with Brantley and other critics on several occasions-but at least my opinion was based on experience. Also, I tend to give less credence to critics who like EVERYTHING. Being a critic means just that-you have to have some discernment in quality pieces.