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Ben Brantley

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BIO

Ben Brantley was formerly the co-chief theater critic for The New York Times. He has been a staff critic since 1996, filing reviews regularly from London as well as New York. Subjects of his profiles include the underground Belarus Free Theater in Minsk, and Barbra Streisand in Malibu.


Before joining the Times in 1993, Mr. Brantley was a staff writer for the New Yorker and Vanity Fair. He reviewed fashion for Women’s Wear Daily, where he was the Paris bureau chief and European editor, and movies for Elle magazine.
Mr. Brantley grew up in Winston-Salem, N.C., and graduated from Swarthmore College. He is the editor of two books of New York Times theater reviews and a recipient of the George Jean Nathan Award for theater criticism.

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News


Sasha Velour Brings THE BIG REVEAL to Provincetown
by Stephi Wild - Jun 18, 2025

Next month, the multi-hyphenate drag superstar Sasha Velour will return to Town Hall with her smash hit live show The Big Reveal. Learn more about the upcoming performance here!
David Harewood, Toby Jones, and Caitlin FitzGerald Will Lead New West End Production of OTHELLO
by Stephi Wild - May 8, 2025

Shakespeare's OTHELLO will come to life in a new production starring David Harewood OBE  as Othello, Toby Jones OBE as Iago and Caitlin FitzGerald as Desdemona.
Michael Patrick Thornton Joins WAITING FOR GODOT on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Apr 24, 2025

Michael Patrick Thornton will return to Broadway this fall as ‘Lucky’ in Jamie Lloyd’s new production of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot starring Keanu Reeves as ‘Estragon’ and Alex Winter as ‘Vladimir.’
Michael Urie in RICHARD II to Kick Off Red Bull Theater Fall Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 21, 2025

Red Bull Theater's 2025-’26 Season would begin with a special Revelation Reading: Michael Urie starring in a new version of Shakespeare’s RICHARD II, adapted and directed by Craig Baldwin. Learn more!
Dates and Theatre Set For WAITING FOR GODOT With Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter
by Stephi Wild - Apr 14, 2025

The dates and theatre have been set for Jamie Lloyd’s new production of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, starring Keanu Reeves as ‘Estragon’ and Alex Winter as ‘Vladimir.'
DOUBT: A PARABLE to Open at Hendersonville Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 3, 2025

Hendersonville Theatre will present John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play, Doubt: A Parable. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Josh Lamon to Play Divine in DISHIN' WITH DIVINE Industry Readings
by Michael Major - Apr 1, 2025

Death Becomes Her star Joshn Lamon will lead a private, by-invitation only industry presentation of Dishin’ With Divine, a new play written and directed by Donnie (Make Me Gorgeous!). Lamon will step into the heels of the beloved drag artist.
Parker Posey, Sasha Velour and More Set for Town Hall Series in Provincetown
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 24, 2025

Producer Mark Cortale has revealed his latest music and comedy season for the summer of 2025 at Provincetown’s largest entertainment venue, the Town Hall. See the full lineup here!
HIRSCHFELD'S SONDHEIM Poster Book Will Be Released This Year
by Stephi Wild - Mar 13, 2025

A new poster book titled Hirschfeld’s Sondheim will be released later this year.  For the first time ever, Al Hirschfeld’s art of Stephen Sondheim’s musicals will be made available, packaged in an oversized removable poster book.
Ahamefule J. Oluo Brings Dazzling New Work THE THINGS AROUND US To Intiman Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 5, 2025

Intiman Theatre has announced the Seattle debut of multidisciplinary artist Ahamefule J. Oluo’s dazzling new show, The Things Around Us, playing April 24 - May 4 at Broadway Performance Hall.
THE MOUSETRAP, MATILDA And More Announced for Berkshire Theatre Group 2025 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 1, 2025

Bershire Theatre Group's 2025 Summer Season, featuring a lineup of plays and musicals at both The Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge and The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield. 
Review: ONE MAN MUSICAL, Underbelly Boulevard
by Franco Milazzo - Jan 24, 2025

If sacred cows make the best burgers, Underbelly Soho could soon become the most popular fast food joint around. One Man Musical’s latest outing is quickly becoming something of a word-of-mouth must-see and, while the marketing is understandably coy about who the “one man” is, it becomes clear early on that cabaret duo Flo & Joan have come not to praise Andrew Lloyd Webber but to hilariously bury him in his own faintly ridiculous history.
Bergen County Players Will Perform RABBIT HOLE
by Stephi Wild - Jan 21, 2025

Bergen County Players will present Rabbit Hole, which won playwright David Lindsay-Abaire a Pulitzer Prize in 2007. Learn more about the performance here!
Karen Ziemba to Star in MASTER CLASS at Riverside Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 14, 2025

Riverside Theatre has revealed the first production of the 2024-2025 Waxlax Stage season, Terrence McNally’s Master Class starring Tony Award-winning actress Karen Ziemba. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Everything You Don't Know About FLOYD COLLINS
by Sidney Paterra - Dec 7, 2024

Lincoln Center Theater is preparing for the Broadway premiere of Floyd Collins- the first major revival since the show's off Broadway premiere in 1996. Since then, the musical has gained a loyal fanbase, but remains largely unknown by musical theatre-loving audiences. What do you need to know...?
Previews: THE BOOK OF MORMON at TEATRO ARCIMBOLDI
by Ettore Farrattini - Nov 26, 2024

THE BOOK OF MORMON al TEATRO ARCIMBOLDI DOPO AVER BATTUTO OGNI RECORD ARRIVA IN TOUR IN ITALIA IL MUSICAL PIU' DISSACRANTE E DIVERTENTE DEGLI ULTIMI TEMPI. IN SCENA DAL 10 al 21 dicembre 2025
Miracle or 2 Theatrical Licensing Acquires Rights for STEVE by Mark Gerrard
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 24, 2024

Miracle or 2 Theatrical Licensing announced the acquisition of worldwide rights for STEVE by Mark Gerrard.
MAMA, I'M A BIG GIRL NOW to be Presented at The Wallis
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 9, 2024

The Wallis will present 'Mama, I'm A Big Girl Now,' reuniting the original Tracy, Penny, and Amber from HAIRSPRAY for the first time. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Third Rail Projects Will Premiere TRUE LOVE FOREVER in November
by Stephi Wild - Sep 6, 2024

Third Rail Projects will present the World Premiere of TRUE LOVE FOREVER, where immersive theater and an indie rock concert collide. This unforgettable experience of love, heartbreak, and everything in between will begin performances November 21 at ART X NYC.

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