Birth Place: Melrose, MA, USA
Brooks Atkinson was an American journalist and theater critic born on November 28, 1894, in Melrose, Massachusetts. He attended Harvard University and served in World War I before beginning his career in journalism. Atkinson worked for The New York Times for over 30 years, where he served as the theater critic from 1925 until his retirement in 1960.
Atkinson was known for his insightful and often poetic reviews of Broadway shows. He was a champion of new and experimental works, and he helped to launch the careers of many playwrights and actors. Some of his most famous reviews include his glowing praise of Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire" and his scathing critique of the musical "Candide."
In addition to his work as a critic, Atkinson was also a playwright and author. He wrote several plays, including "The Creaking Chair" and "The Unicorn in the Garden," and he published several books, including "Broadway" and "East Side, West Side."
Atkinson's influence on the theater world was immense, and his opinions were highly respected by both audiences and industry professionals. He was a member of the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Letters and was awarded a Tony Award for his contributions to the theater in 1956.
Atkinson passed away on January 14, 1984, at the age of 89. His legacy lives on through his writing and through the annual Brooks Atkinson Theatre Awards, which are presented to outstanding high school theater programs in the New York metropolitan area.
From: Up on the Marquee: SIX
From: Up on the Marquee: SIX
From: Up on the Marquee: SIX
From: Up on the Marquee: SIX
From: Up on the Marquee: SIX
From: Up on the Marquee: SIX
From: Up on the Marquee: SIX
From: Up on the Marquee: SIX
From: Up on the Marquee: SIX
From: Up on the Marquee: SIX
From: Up on the Marquee: SIX
From: Up on the Marquee: SIX
From: Up on the Marquee: SIX
From: Up on the Marquee: SIX
From: Up on the Marquee: SIX
From: Up on the Marquee: SIX
From: Photo Flashback: Remembering GREASE And MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Star Derek Keeling
From: Photo Flashback: Remembering GREASE And MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Star Derek Keeling
From: Photo Flashback: Remembering GREASE And MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Star Derek Keeling
From: Photo Flashback: Remembering GREASE And MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Star Derek Keeling
From: Photo Flashback: Remembering GREASE And MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Star Derek Keeling
From: Photo Flashback: Remembering GREASE And MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Star Derek Keeling
From: Photo Flashback: Remembering GREASE And MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Star Derek Keeling
From: Photo Flashback: Remembering GREASE And MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Star Derek Keeling
From: Exclusive Photo Coverage: Inside the WAITRESS Gypsy Robe Ceremony!
From: Photo Coverage: Wedding Bells Are Ringing! IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU Takes Opening Night Bows
From: Photo Coverage: AFTER MIDNIGHT Company Takes Final Bows at Brooks Atkinson Theatre
Brooks Atkinson
Brooks Atkinson
A petition has been launched to rename a Broadway theatre for the late stage icon Chita Rivera. Learn more bout the petition!
The Wiz is beginning previews on Broadway tonight, March 29, following its pre-Broadway national tour! Meet the cast of The Wiz here!
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 21, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman is set to open at Palm Beach Dramaworks this month. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
When you’re considered to be one of the greatest songwriters ever, with a catalogue stretching back 60 years, it’s not surprising that you would want to put your music in proven hands when it’s time for Broadway.
The 104-year-old Selwyn Theatre, previously known as the American Airlines Theatre, is now officially named the Todd Haimes Theatre.
While filming the live capture of Waitress, Caitlin Houlahan says she was able to play her character of Dawn in 'a completely different way.' BroadwayWorld sat down Houlahan to discuss how she rediscovered Dawn for the film, what its like to flim two Broadway musicals back-to-back, her relationship with Sara Bareilles, and more.
Sara Bareilles sat down with Kelly Clarkson this morning to discuss Waitress: the Musical, coming to theaters. The Tony nominee discussed how the film is a bookend to her time starring in Waitress. While she sees it as her final time playing the role of Jenna, Bareilles did have a suggestion of who could play the role next. Watch video clips!
Sara Bareilles appeared on the TODAY Show this morning to perform a string version of 'She Used to Be Mine' from Waitress the Musical. The Tony nominee sat down to discuss bringing a filmed version of Waitress the Musical on Broadway to movie theaters. Watch the video of the performance and get tickets to see Waitress in cinemas now!
The weather outside might still be frightful for a while, but what better time to stay in and snuggle up with a great Broadway read? Check out our complete Winter 2024 reading list!
This time, the reader question was: With Harmony sharing the real story of The Comedian Harmonists, I’m wondering- how often are Broadway musicals about real people who actually existed?
Private industry readings of 'Has Anyone Seen My Mind?' by Bill Russell, are scheduled for October 26 & 27.
Watch the new trailer video for the filmed capture of Waitress: The Musical! The new movie coming to theaters brings the Tony-nominated Broadway phenomenon to the big screen. Featuring composer-lyricist Sara Bareilles as Jenna Hunterson, a waitress and expert pie maker stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage.
Tickets to see Waitress the Musical in movie theaters are now available. The spirited and visually stunning footage from the hit musical production, which also features Bareilles in the leading role, was captured live on stage in 2021 during the musical’s reprise run on Broadway.
Sara Bareilles' “Waitress, the Musical - Live on Broadway!' is coming to ! The cast of the film also includes Eric Anderson (Cal), Charity Angel Dawson (Becky), Christopher Fitzgerald (Ogie), Drew Gehling (Dr. Pomatter), Caitlin Houlahan (Dawn), Dakin Matthews (Joe) and Joe Tippett (Earl). Watch a video teaser now!
Are you bound for the Philadelphia area this fall. There’s so much to see and do that our readers will like to know about.
Comedy Works Entertainment and LC Live welcomes LEWIS BLACK LIVE as part of the 2023 Laugh Riot Comedy Series coming to The Lincoln Center in Fort Collins, CO on Sunday, February 4th at 7:00pm.
A new block of tickets has just been released for Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss's hit musical SIX, and tickets are now available through March 31, 2024. Learn more about how to purchase tickets here!
BroadwayWorld has the full scoop on everything that you need to know about Six on Broadway. Find out where it's playing, how to get there, what it's about, and more!
Six has just partnered with Bond 45 to create the Queens Corner, a special dining area inspired by the musical, featuring purple upholstery and a brass plaque to celebrate SIX on Broadway. Bond 45 will also be adding a SIX-inspired purple cocktail, The Queens’ Cup, to the menu. BroadwayWorld was there for the special kick-off and you can check out photos here.
Brooks Atkinson has been nominated for a Special Tony Award at the Tony Awards and a Special Citation at the Obie Awards.
Brooks Atkinson has won the Special Tony Award at the Tony Awards and the Special Citation at the Obie Awards.
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