Theatre Critic's

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 1/7/04 at 3:03pm

I have been wondering how people go on to become "professional" theatre critics. Are they writers or journalists before hand? Does anyone know?

[ckeaton]

Posted: 1/7/04 at 3:05pm

The theatre critics that I am aware of are generally author/journalists with some background characteristic that qualifies them to be theatre specialists. (Although I'm in a smaller market)

That, and a whole lot of crack.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 1/7/04 at 3:17pm

Frank Rich graduated from Harvard with a history degree. While in college he wrote some well-regarded theater criticisms that caught the notice of some people in NY. That led to him getting work as a tv and movie critic after college and eventually led to him getting the theater gig at the Times.

So, yeah, he was a journalist first.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/7/04 at 9:03pm

Many theatre critics (especially in the later part of the 20th century/early 21st century) have been known to be failed playwrights, or closeted aspriring playwrights.

Broadway Bulldog.

p.s. Some, it has been documented, have acted as play "doctors." This is under major denial by themselves and their publications and the producers. Oddly, as this is not done in secret, the casts know the truth.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 1/7/04 at 10:42pm

ooo, ooo *raises hand* I know!

They sleep with the editor (or in television critic cases...the Producer). lol j/k
As opposed as I may be to many critics, most of them (ok, all with the exception of Michael Riedel) seem to be very intelligent people; obviously well educated, and have a passion for theatre. They feel they have the credentials to push their opinions onto others who may not be as familiar with the subject as they are. Plus they are very good at using a thesaurus.

[MusicalComedyMan]

Posted: 1/8/04 at 12:42am

WELL.... as a fan of Michael Riedels... I fell like I should note that he isn't a critic!!! He doesn't pretent to be. And critics don't force their opinions on people, people PAY to read them.

[lc1965]

Posted: 1/8/04 at 5:47pm

Well, well, Theaterbaby...aren't we a bit ... BITTER???? I admit, though, that every time I read a review by Brantley I wonder what qualifies this man to be the most powerful reviewer in America & every time I read a review by Elysa Gardner I wonder if she was watching the same show as everyone else. I miss Stewart Klein! (I know, that dates me, sorry....)