jason alexander · @IJasonAlexander
15th Apr 2011 from Twitlonger
I just read the NYTImes/Ben Brantley review of WarHorse. I am compelled to write. I have never done anything like this in my life, not even for shows I was personally connected to. .
Brantley did not give War Horse a bad review. He simply did not give it what it merits. I know most of the folk who follow me will not be interested in this. This is for the select few who live or visit NY and care about great theater.
I have been going to the theater since I was 4 years old. I'm 51. I have seen thousands of shows. I will tell you, without equivocation, THIS IS THE SINGLE GREATEST NIGHT I HAVE SPENT IN THE THEATER.
This is a beautiful story - powerful, funny, heartbreaking. It is simple as a story but incredibly complex in it's execution. It has elements of puppetry and cinema and docudrama woven delicately and inexorably through it. Every facet of production and performance has been created by artists, working at the very top of their game. This is a theater piece to make you love the theater. It is magic and pure theater at its very best. If you are in NY and don't give yourself this gift, you have cheated yourself and everyone who has a heart and soul.
I pray that the other reviews will embrace this consummate show more fully. But the Times still wields disproportionate influence. So, despite the fact that Mr. Brantley is both entitled to his opinion and did not in any way savage this play, I still say - fuck him.
Go see this show. I am not connected to it in any way. This endorsement is heartfelt and pure. I believe you will thank me.
Jason Alexander 4/14/11