I am not posting today's Michael Riedel column because I wish in no way to promote it, but sure enough you'd know where to find it on the New York Post website if you wish to check it out.
What could he have written about today? CRY-BABY's issues? Absenteeism over at GYPSY? New York Theater Workshop's staff cuts? The Tricia YouTube video? There's plenty of ammunition.
But no. He devoted an entire column (very rare) to a rant from former drama desk member Tony Phillips (never heard of the guy...) against Barbara Siegel, who with her husband Scott is a preeminent critic, author of numerous books on Hollywood (I've never read them, but they apparently exist), and co-founder of the beloved Broadway by the Year series.
I suspect Riedel knew that Phillips' accusations are false, but he still made a column out of it because he's had it out for the Drama Desk for years. He views the organization as unworthy and useless. As also seen in his generally condescending attitude, Riedel can be a total elitist.
And this is not to say that I don't like his writing generally. He is a damn good writer. And he knows it. And we all know it. But was doing a column on an inconsequential feud really a good idea? He is going to get malled with protest emails from Broadway by the Year patrons and performers in defense of Barbara. It is going to get ugly...
In terms of the evidence against Barbara, he only had the contents of the letter. THAT'S IT. He couldn't find one other person on the drama desk to agree with Philips. In law school terms, that's what I'd call a terrible case - the kind that would get dismissed on summary judgment without ever going to trial!
And for the record, all Drama Desk members, not just the nominators, have scored free food and drinks from the organization.