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Favorite theater critic?
Favorite theater critic?
theater_tech
Stand-by Joined: 5/2/17
#1Favorite theater critic?
Posted: 6/23/17 at 10:42am
It will be really interesting seeing all the responses!
My pick goes to David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter. His hilarious (yet on point) review of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory solidifies this.
#2Favorite theater critic?
Posted: 6/23/17 at 10:58am
Feingold. I can't see a compelling alternate suggestion.
#3Favorite theater critic?
Posted: 6/23/17 at 11:07am
Following his review of FALSETTOS, I'm thinking Isherwood might be my favorite.
"I shall stay until the wind changes."
#4Favorite theater critic?
Posted: 6/23/17 at 11:13am
Michael Feingold is the only writer today I can think of who is actually a critic, rather than a reviewer. He doesn't just say whether something is good or bad. He puts works of art in a cultural context. I always enjoy reading his perspectives.
As for reviewers, I think Jesse Green and Alexis Soloski are the best writers currently in the game, but I don't go to anyone for specific advice about whether to see a show or not.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#5Favorite theater critic?
Posted: 6/23/17 at 12:11pm
Myself. I know what I like and dislike. Just wish I had the time and the money to see everything.
To seek revenge may lead to hell yet everyone does it but seldom as well......
UncleCharlie
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/26/16
BroadwayConcierge
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
#8Favorite theater critic?
Posted: 6/23/17 at 2:20pm
Honestly, WhizzerMarvin as well 
but if we're talking publications, I agree with Ben Brantley about 95% of the time (and love his writing), so I'd have to go with him.
BroadwayMan5
Featured Actor Joined: 7/30/15
#9Favorite theater critic?
Posted: 6/23/17 at 3:08pm
Jesse Green... don't always agree with him but I enjoy his reviews and on air appearances (Theater Talk) the most
#10Favorite theater critic?
Posted: 6/23/17 at 3:20pm
I'm with denali.fire. I honestly think people are crazy to rely so much on the opinion of "the chosen few" critics. I research shows and if the subject/material and cast/creatives interest me that's what I see!
Keeping BroadwayWorld Illustrated
green waver
Stand-by Joined: 11/3/16
#11Favorite theater critic?
Posted: 6/23/17 at 4:18pm
But the the days of one critic wielding make or break power over a show's success are long past us. The Kerrs, Atkinsons, and Barneses are just theater names now. I'm guessing that this comes as a relief to the current crop of critics.
#12Favorite theater critic?
Posted: 6/23/17 at 4:35pm
And of course in those days theatregoers didn't have the internet to learn about shows. All they had were reviews, the cast album, and maybe an Ed Sullivan performance (and later the Tony performances too but those couldn't always be counted on). The world really has changed a lot in that respect.
Keeping BroadwayWorld Illustrated
#13Favorite theater critic?
Posted: 6/23/17 at 6:50pm
Honestly, WhizzerMarvin for me, too. I don't read professional reviews (I don't know why, I just don't), but I always read his.
Updated On: 6/23/17 at 06:50 PM