SIGNIFICANT OTHER Reviews

[IntoTheWords]

Variety, time out New York, EW, and Hollywood reporter really seemed to love it. 

The major takeaway from what I read was Gideon Glick's performance was stellar and star turning. Good for him. I thought He deserves it. Hope he gets the tony recognition. 

[haterobics]

Kad said: "Though I largely enjoyed the play off-Broadway, my misgivings  are similar to those in the Towelroad review. I think Harmon isolates Jordan so thoroughly from the rest of queer life to a surprising degree and it is hard for me to discern whether or not that is the point or merely a contrivance to make this thing go. The character is fixated on a monogamous heteronormative relationship to the point of being blinkered, while also having no queer friends, having no willingness to consider other relationship options, and being dismissive of many facets of gay culture."

Sadly, since I ran a support site for LGBT youth for years, that doesn't sound too contrived. With the advent of social media and people being more accepting, there is less of a need/desire of people to sort of form a gay network around them and such when they come out, since their straight network is affirming and supportive, which is good, but then when it isn't enough, there is that sort of void... they often just become the gay friend among all straight people, without developing much in the way of interacting with any gay peers in real life, only on social media and such.

I wish that part were a contrivance in a play, but that rang sort of true for me and what I saw in a lot of (though not all) young people of today.

[wonderfulwizard11]

I went back last night after seeing the show off-Broadway and I loved it just as much. I remembered the comedy of the play quite well, but I forgot how much of an emotional punch this show packs. The scene between Jordan and Laura is so raw and heartbreaking, and from more or less that point on I had tears running down my face for the rest of the show. I don't think the writing is perfect- it gets a little repetitive here and there, and some of the punchlines are telegraphed from far away- but it nails so much about loneliness and dating and particularly the way social media enables us to obsess over potential lovers. I mean, who hasn't done the kind of deep social media dive that Jordan does? Maybe we all aren't as obsessive or needy, but these moments felt really true to life. Elements of the play tend towards the sitcom-y at times, but at its core it's a deeply felt play about loneliness and abandonment, and I think lots of people can relate to that.

The cast, largely in tact from the Pels production, is still uniformly excellent. All three girlfriends do lovely work, especially Lindsay Mendez. Barbara Barrie is also very touching in her scenes- her last phone call with Jordan is a particularly great moment from her. However, Gideon Glick's performance is the reason people should run to this show. I know Ben Platt has been getting most of the attention for Dear Evan Hansen, but as far as I'm concerned Glick is giving the male performance of the season. In the hands of a lesser actor, Jordan would be absolutely insufferable, but with him, you can't help but like him even as he makes truly awful choices. He also really delivers in his big scene with Mendez- that rant is ferociously delivered, but he builds the character's resentment so well that it never comes off as too big. I can't imagine another actor giving a more impressive performance this season, and I would love to see him win a Tony for it.

It does seem like the play is struggling a little with ticket sales, but I can't recommend this one enough. It's such a sweet and sad play, and Gideon Glick's performance is worth every penny. Go. 

[Chicken_Flavor]

Just a question, what do you think the rating for this is? (AGE WISE)

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

It would be so interesting if both Lead Actor Tonys ended up going to young men under 30 this year.

[orlikethecolorpurple]

So torn between Significant Other and Come From Away for the last show of my trip. 

[Mister Matt]

It's not really written for people his age.

Because "people of his age"...what?  Was there something in his review that sounded like it was his age that was the problem?

[Mister Matt]

The character is fixated on a monogamous heteronormative relationship to the point of being blinkered, while also having no queer friends, having no willingness to consider other relationship options, and being dismissive of many facets of gay culture.

The character represents a type that actually is not uncommon, but rarely represented in the entertainment media because his is often misunderstood as being "self-loathing".  Unfortunately, for too long, the gay community focused on acceptance from outside the community, but not always acceptance within.  And thus, often stereotyping themselves with their own community, attempting to define and own what it means to be gay at the expense of their own diversity.  


A gay man can seek monogamy without it ever having to mean anything "heteronormative".  He doesn't have to seek other relationship options if the other option are not the relationship and life he wants.  And NONE of it has to do with his sexual orientation, despite what is trendy or activist-friendly or hip chat among friends at the popular gay bar in town having their favorite drink specials.  Gay people can be different.  They don't even have to be Judy, Barbra or Liza fans.  

[After Eight]

"In the hands of a lesser actor, Jordan would be absolutely insufferable,"

He's insufferable in the hands of this very good actor.

"but with him, you can't help but like him" 

I had no trouble disliking this self-absorbed whiner. In fact, I couldn't help but dislike him.

[newintown]

"It would be so interesting if both Lead Actor Tonys ended up going to young adults this year."

Platt is 23, and Glick is 28. Those ages are generally just called "adult," except among psychologists.

[VintageSnarker]

I think I remember Jordan going on a date with his less attractive co-worker but I forget... does he ever use dating sites/apps, even ones not considered hookup apps?