Howard Kissel passes away :(

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 2/25/12 at 12:47am

He was a very nice guy. Sat next to him at about 7-8 shows over the yrs, and had great intermission convos,.I learned a lot from him. Very scholarly man, with an upbeat personality..We both LOVED The Circle in The Sq. production of the Rose Tattoo.


If you have never read his book "the abominable showman" (bio of David Merrick), GREAT read.
Updated On: 2/25/12 at 12:47 AM

[jo]

Posted: 2/25/12 at 12:53am

I once sent him an email for a review he had written and I was pleasantly surprised with his very gracious reply.

Rest in peace, Howard Kissel!

[anothervodkastinger2]

Posted: 2/25/12 at 11:39am

He was my teacher for Musical Theater History in college. Such a soft spoken introspective man. He had a voice like Bob Ross, so soothing I often had to fight being lulled to sleep not because what he was saying was uninteresting just because of his naturally calming presence. I used to stay after class and make him tell me stories of old timey theater things (which he adored doing). Howard Kissel RIP.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 2/25/12 at 11:40am

RIP xx

[wexy]

Posted: 2/25/12 at 2:36pm

That's sad news. RIP.

[egghumor]

Posted: 2/25/12 at 5:11pm

As other have stated, Mr. Kissel brought class, intelligence and insight to his work. He is an excellent model for what theater criticism should be. Yes, his book about David Merrick is a MUST READ for anyone interested in the history of American musical theater. RIP, Mr. Kissel.

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 2/25/12 at 6:25pm

I bought his book on Merrick a while back and have yet had the time to really sit down and read it. So glad to hear it's excellent. May Mr.Kissel rest in peace.

[Wishing Only Wounds]

Posted: 2/25/12 at 6:46pm

May he Rest in Peace.

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 2/26/12 at 1:08am

RIP Howard, met him once breifly.

How did he die, do we know?

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 2/26/12 at 9:29pm

According to the Hollywood Reporter, he died from complications from a liver transplant. He was only 69. Way too young.



Howard Kissel: An Appreciation

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 2/26/12 at 9:29pm

duplicate post. sorry





Howard Kissel: An Appreciation

Updated On: 2/26/12 at 09:29 PM

[once a month]

Posted: 2/27/12 at 8:48am

RIP.

I enjoyed his writing over the years but stopped reading him after his review of Contact. After that, our only connection was once peeing side by side. I will never forget it.

[mamaleh]

Posted: 2/27/12 at 9:50am

I will miss his soft-spoken, thoughtful demeanor as well as that wild mane of white hair bobbling in the wind when I'd occasionally catch sight of him in the theater district. His passing is a great loss to cogent, incisive theater criticism. Rest in peace, Mr. Kissel.

[newintown]

Posted: 2/27/12 at 10:12am

I know there are many sentimentalists who think it's an unforgivable sin to speak ill of the dead, but I have to say that I don't think Kissel's output will be remembered at all. Although definitely not the worst reviewer in NYC history, his scope was somewhat lowbrow and rather limited, and his pedestrian writing style justified being employed by a cheap tabloid for the bulk of his career. RIP and all that, but one shouldn't posthumously inflate a man's abilities and accomplishments out of misguided sympathy.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 2/27/12 at 11:18am

I know I can't WAIT to see what people have to write when newintown finally kicks it!

[newintown]

Posted: 2/27/12 at 11:32am

Ah, if only we all could see and hear what others say about us after the Grand Exit. Tom Sawyer had the right idea.