OPINION: The New York Times should accept unsolicited press releases from Off- and Off-Off shows

Press agents shouldn't be the only way to get a Times review

Ulises Ramiro

The New Yorker accepts unsolicited short story submissions.

The New York Times should accept unsolicited press releases for Off- and Off-Off theater.

In 1958, The Paris Review pulled an unsolicited short story submission from the slush pile written by a complete unknown named Philip Roth.

Philip Roth. (Courtesy NJPAC)

There are tons of examples like this, where a great writer gets pulled from the slush pile.

Why can't this happen in theater?

If I read another piece or review in The Times about Beauty and the Beast or Aladdin, I'm gonna puke on my desk.

The Walt Disney Company is worth $200 billion. Some of the resources at The Times currently helping Disney shows could be re-allocated to shine a light on Off- and Off-Off Broadway shows.

Helen Shaw is the brand new chief theater critic at The New York Times and she's already making changes to help Off- and Off-Off shows. Here's to hoping this continues.

A great artist shouldn't stay in the dark because they can't get a great PR agent. There should be more channels for Off- and Off-Off Broadway to get the attention of The Times.

The New York Times should accept unsolicited press releases from Off and Off-Off Broadway shows.