The Wandering Hand of Mr. Long

[A Director]

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

[bwayrose7]

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]

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]

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).

[adamgreer]

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]

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.

[EthelMae]

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]

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.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

I don’t think Mr. Martin will not be the only voice we here. I hope this article that tells his story helps him continue to heal.

I’ve never had any encounter with Long, other then have peers and friends speak so highly of his passion and talent.

[Clyde15]

So is there going to be any backlash over this? No Broadway new source seems to have picked up this article, and I haven’t seen any comments on it from Broadway actors. Is Mr. Long working on any upcoming shows this season?

[jkcaesar2]

Tootsie.

[JSquared2]

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]

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

[adamgreer]

Clyde15 said: "So is there going to be any backlash over this? No Broadway new source seems to have picked up this article, and I haven’t seen any comments on it from Broadway actors. Is Mr. Long working on any upcoming shows this season? "

I find it both interesting and very telling that Broadwayworld, Playbill, Theatermania, and Broadway.com all have nothing about this story. None of them appear to have picked it up. Curious. 

[CATSNYrevival]

I’m hoping it’s just because they’re cautious to publish unsubstantiated allegations. Though some of the story seems to be corroborated by others.

[DramaTeach]

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]

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

[rosscoe(au)]

Why was my comment deleted?

[adamgreer]

rosscoe(au) said: "Why was my comment deleted? "

You’ll never get an answer from Nameless Faceless Moderator. 

I am still quite curious that BWW, which professes to be the “#1 source for Broadway news” hasn’t so much as mentioned these allegations in any sort of article. 

[astromiami]

I think when someone has had a bad reputation and been dogged by unpleasant rumors for decades, it is harder for news outlets to report on open accusations.

If they acknowledge the long-standing gossip, they look negligent for not reporting earlier and if they do not acknowledge it, they look out of touch.

This causes the lag in reporting. We saw it with a number of recent scandals where outlets waited before reporting accusations.

[bwayphreak234]

adamgreer said: "rosscoe(au) said: "Why was my comment deleted? "

You’ll never get an answer from Nameless Faceless Moderator.

Miya still quite curious that BWW, which professes to be the “#1 source for Broadway news” hasn’t so much as mentioned these allegations in any sort of article."

I'm wondering the same thing. Funny that the mods have time to delete comments, but there is still no mention of this on BWW.

[behindthescenes2]

My comment along with others were deleted because we stated some unfortunate truths about him but that’s okay others will come forth with more stories of his sexual predatory ways over the years- trips to Thailand etc. Hopefully others will also talk about directors and producers and choreographers that have been guilty of this behavior and intimidation as well