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# Ben Brantley issues apology for ‘Head Over Heels’ review
- URL: https://www.broadwaynews.com/ben-brantley-issues-apology-for-head-over-heels-review/
- Published: 2018-07-27T16:48:23.000Z
- Updated: 2022-10-06T00:36:21.000Z
- Description: New York Times critic Ben Brantley apologized Friday for remarks in his “Head Over Heels’ review that drew criticism for the treatment of a nonbinary character in the show. “I feel horrible about having offended transgender and nonbinary communities.
- Author: Caitlin Huston
- Tags: Media, #caitlin, Head Over Heels, Peppermint, Ben Brantley, Oracle, Hudston Theatre, News

New York Times critic Ben Brantley [apologized Friday](https://twitter.com/NYTimesPR/status/1022864714525749248?ref=broadwaynews.com) for remarks in his “Head Over Heels’ review that drew criticism for the treatment of a nonbinary character in the show.

“I feel horrible about having offended transgender and nonbinary communities. I was trying to reflect the light tone of the show, as well as a plot point in which one character learns to acknowledge another not as a “she” but as “they” — this was meant to be a reference to the character of the Oracle, not Peppermint, the person who plays the role. This unfortunately read as more flippant than I ever would have intended, especially with regard to a performance that marks a historical first,” Brantley said in a statement tweeted out by the New York Times Communications account.

The review has since been edited, after it drew “significant feedback,” according to a note at the top of the review.

The musical, which opened Thursday at the Hudson Theatre, stars Peppermint, a transgender woman, who plays a nonbinary character named Pythio, the Oracle of Delphi. In the show, Pythio is referenced by “they/them” pronouns. Peppermint made history as the first openly transgender woman to originate a principal role on Broadway.

Brantley’s initial review drew criticism on social media for its treatment of pronouns for the character.

> This comment is at best, unfunny, and worst, transphobic. We’ve got to do better, folks! Haven’t seen [@HOHmusical](https://twitter.com/HOHmusical?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=broadwaynews.com), but this problematic [@nytimestheater](https://twitter.com/nytimestheater?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=broadwaynews.com) review just made it jump to the top of my list! [pic.twitter.com/ope6e3vb5P](https://t.co/ope6e3vb5P?ref=broadwaynews.com)  
>  
> — Andrew Keenan-Bolger (@KeenanBlogger) [July 27, 2018](https://twitter.com/KeenanBlogger/status/1022693910076907521?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=broadwaynews.com)

That line has since been changed.

Asked for comment, a spokesperson for the producers of “Head Over Heels” pointed to a [tweet the show issued](https://twitter.com/hohmusical/status/1022880787295883265?s=21&ref=broadwaynews.com) Friday afternoon .

“We thank Ben Brantley and the ~~@~~**NYTimes** for their heartfelt apology. We are so proud to be supported by the Broadway and LGBTQIA+ communities, and are thrilled to be celebrating ALL people 8 times a week at the Hudson Theatre,” the tweet reads.