My Favorite New Writing Advice May Also Be My New Life Motto
How a theatre critic summed it all up for me in one paragraph
Legend has it that his word could make or break a show.
I never expected he’d break me.
Ben Brantley became the New York Times’ chief theatre critic in 1996, stepping down in 2020. Such was his mythic power that early in his tenure a website appeared called simply Did He Like It? — a site that continues to this day.
Known for his insightful and often witty reviews, Brantley was never afraid to go against the grain — or go for the throat. His sharp-eyed criticism was always a pleasure to read, and the first one that producers and fans turned to the morning after a premiere.
I always admired Brantley’s reviews. I remain jealous of the gorgeous way he can craft a phrase and bring small theatrical moments to life with just a few words. He has a gift for close observation that he then expands into a larger metaphor.
