Ben Platt

From Music to Acting, Ben Platt Continues To Prove He Can Do It All

Debbie Aspromonti, Hofstra University

While he’s best known for his work on Broadway, he has proven his versatility as a contemporary actor and pop singer.…

April 8, 2022

A still from the controversial Dear Evan Hansen

‘Dear Evan Hansen’ and Its Problematic Anti-Hero of a Protagonist

Mai Senser, Virginia Commonwealth University

In a film that chooses to make a manipulative and, at times even creepy, character its hero, Ben Platt’s age is the last thing you need to worry about.…

October 8, 2021

An illustration of the titular character from Dear Evan Hansen in an article about the musical's upcoming film adaptation. (Illustration by Sonja Vasiljeva, San Jose State University)

Hollywood’s Age-Old Dilemma Meets ‘Dear Evan Hansen’

Mariam Nasief, Columbia University

Ben Platt’s reprisal of his Broadway role in the upcoming film adaptation raises some heads as it continues the surprisingly common occurrence of adults playing high school students.…

June 26, 2021

Illustration by Baz Pugmire of The Politician

Season 2 of ‘The Politician’ Both Triumphed and Failed Gen Z

Emma T., UC Berkeley

The Netflix original tried to depict its audience with love and accuracy, but may have further contributed to its frustration with mainstream politics.…

August 3, 2020

Ben Platt as Payton Hobart gives a political speech in front of the American flag in The Politician.

Season 2 of ‘The Politician’ Feels Like a Different Show

Olivia Dimond, Bates College

While the first season packed juicy storylines and absurdity into eight episodes, the new season tones a lot down — including the characters’ sexualities.…

July 6, 2020

‘The Politician’ Makes a Brilliant and Unbiased Mockery of U.S. Politics

Blair Krassen, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia

From using tragedy for political gain to assassination attempts, Netflix’s new show pulls out all the stops to make us look twice at politics.…

October 15, 2019

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