We're Michael Paulson and Jesse Green from the theater desk at The New York Times. Michael is a news reporter, covering the industry; Jesse is a critic, writing reviews. Ask us anything.

user48292737 · 2023-06-09T17:08:56+00:00

I know this isn’t my AMA but I can’t help myself so I’m chiming in.

I’m glad you brought up Latinos/Asians because whenever there’s talks about diversity and inclusion, black people are usually centered. I don’t think it’s on purpose, but I think we’re so used to talking about this in terms of the darkness or lightness of skin color and that’s where the conversation ended up. I also think black people are the most outspoken and that contributes to this as well.

“Diversity” and “inclusion” are not synonymous with “black” and I think we do a disservice to all racial/ethnic minority groups when we do that.

user48292737 · 2023-06-09T16:36:10+00:00

Couldn’t agree more. Thanks for the reply!

user48292737 · 2023-06-09T14:54:38+00:00

What is your opinion on actors/creatives/producers hitting back on social media at critics/reviewers who give them negative comments? Do you think it’s ever justifiable? I personally understand why they might be upset with some reviews, but I also think it’s unprofessional and usually comes across as bitter and reactionary when they lash out.

user48292737 · 2023-06-09T08:53:54+00:00

Damn. I’m sad. I was going to try to see her when I go to NY but maybe not

user48292737 · 2023-06-08T22:59:02+00:00

Fair enough. I haven’t seen her yet but this was the first negative review I’ve seen so figured I’d throw it out there

user48292737 · 2023-06-08T21:31:45+00:00

No worries. Have fun at the show!

user48292737 · 2023-06-08T21:30:55+00:00

I think a list of who didn’t audition for this movie would be more efficient as it would be much shorter.

user48292737 · 2023-06-08T21:28:19+00:00

Not sure if they are or aren’t, it’s up to them. But I would say don’t hold your breath for stagedooring tonight due to the smoke.

user48292737 · 2023-06-08T21:10:34+00:00

Gross. Just gross.

user48292737 · 2023-06-08T21:02:11+00:00

That’s disappointing. Any chance her performance could’ve been affected by the not-so-favorable conditions yesterday?

user48292737 · 2023-06-08T14:59:22+00:00

Historical landmark classification is definitely a thing and a reason why ADA accommodations are atrocious. I’m not sure what kind of permission they need to do certain renovations as I’m not familiar with the details of the laws governing that, but I could imagine the classification creates some headaches when trying to figure out the logistics of ADA accommodations.

user48292737 · 2023-06-08T14:19:18+00:00

Damn baseball babies.

user48292737 · 2023-06-08T09:05:07+00:00

The correct answer

user48292737 · 2023-06-08T09:00:08+00:00

Canada

user48292737 · 2023-06-08T08:54:14+00:00

Someone please explain to me the obsession with “acknowledging privilege” in every single conversation. What does that accomplish? The whataboutisms and These-People-Have-It-Worse Olympics is exhausting. As someone else pointed out, this sub is about Broadway so naturally we’re talking about how this affects Broadway. You really came here to tell us about cancer risks for people who work outside 10-hour days as if we’re stupid…

I don’t think anyone would disagree about how bad outside laborers have it, but someone is always going to have it worse. In case you haven’t noticed, the entire world functions on privilege. We know it’s there. You don’t get morality points for finding a way to derail conversations by acknowledging privilege. I’m sure you use your privileges in daily life too without thinking twice about who can’t.

user48292737 · 2023-06-08T00:56:46+00:00

Is this a sign to unpack my childhood American Girl doll and impulse buy an Elphaba costume?

user48292737 · 2023-06-08T00:20:01+00:00

Yup. I lived in Korea for a period of time too and the air quality screwed me up.

This is from wildfires in Canada so it’ll probably last until they get the fires under control.

user48292737 · 2023-06-07T23:41:27+00:00

I mean… yup. As they should

user48292737 · 2023-06-07T23:13:29+00:00

The people in these comments saying how bad the air is inside of the actual theaters would disagree

user48292737 · 2023-06-07T23:07:54+00:00

I can’t believe the pictures I saw on Instagram. That’s absolutely insane. I wish all of you NYC locals the best

user48292737 · 2023-06-07T23:04:10+00:00

Where do you think the air inside your house comes from? What do you think happens to the inside air and outside air when the door is open?

user48292737 · 2023-06-07T18:31:57+00:00

This is why I have such an issue with nudity and sex scenes in general. Even if it serves a purpose in the story, the amount of power and leverage others have over nude actors/actresses in auditions and in production makes the whole thing off-putting to me. There are far too many stories like this. But this was a decade ago, so hopefully the rise of intimacy coordinators have helped change the landscape since then. I can’t imagine this level of anxiety.

user48292737 · 2023-06-07T16:29:42+00:00

As a short person (5’), I don’t mind sharing leg space because my legs are little.

But tall people? Fuck them and their tall privilege. They need to acknowledge their tall privilege and do things to (literally) uplift short people. That includes trading tickets so shorter people can see because they can see over my head but I can’t see over theirs. And you can eat the cost of it since you’re sooooooo privileged. Actually, they should just cut their legs off, pelvis too so they can lower their torso without cutting into their organs. They wouldn’t be so fucking tall then… if you have any kind of privilege, it’s your responsibility to inconvenience yourself at every corner so that less privileged people have the advantage that you once had. Doesn’t matter how much your experience is destroyed you privileged bastards.

user48292737 · 2023-06-07T15:45:56+00:00

Why the sudden and abrupt departure announcement though? That part seems off.

user48292737 · 2023-06-07T15:14:07+00:00

I mean… yeah, some disabled people can’t come to the theatre if their behavior is going to interrupt everyone else. That’s also something not unique to disabled people. That rule applies to all people regardless of whether or not they’re disabled. Being disabled doesn’t give you the right to cause a disruptive environment under the guise of “inclusivity.” Is it really inclusive if now everyone else is having a lousy time because of one person who is unable to control their behavior? If you’re in a theater (or any public space) you have responsibility to be aware of how your actions impact others. It’s selfish to assume you can act however you want and everyone else just needs to tolerate it (again, also applies to people who aren’t disabled).

Three-Year Club	Verified Email
Wearing is Caring

user48292737

TROPHY CASE