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Brooks Atkinson

Birth Place: Melrose, MA, USA

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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.

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SIX: LIVE ON OPENING NIGHT Album Will Be Released on CD Next Month

The physical CD of the Grammy Award-nominated SIX: LIVE ON OPENING NIGHT, the first Original Broadway Cast Recording ever recorded live on opening night, will be released next month.

Al Hirschfeld Exhibition Extended Through Late June at The Museum of Broadway

The Museum of Broadway's inaugural special exhibit, The American Theatre As Seen by Hirschfeld, has been extended by popular demand.

Julia Riew's Korean Folktale Musical DIVE to be Developed at American Repertory Theater

American Repertory Theater will develop Julia Riew’s musical Dive, previously known as Shimcheong: A Folktale. See the creative team, and more.

Leanne Antonio, Anthony Cochrane & More to Lead MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS at Paper Mill Playhouse

Paper Mill Playhouse has announced the cast and creative team for Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express by Ken Ludwig, directed by Casey Hushion. See performance dates and learn how to purchase tickets!

Kristolyn Lloyd Will Lead MILLENNIALS ARE KILLING MUSICALS Developmental Production

The production, to be directed by Ciara Renée (Waitress, Frozen), will play a limited engagement from May 7-28, 2023, at Theatre 71 at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament.

Al Hirschfeld Exhibition Extended Through End of April at The Museum of Broadway

NINA-hunters rejoice… The new Museum of Broadway in Times Square's inaugural special exhibition, “The American Theatre As Seen By Hirschfeld,” has been extended, by popular demand.

Max Crumm, Tiffany Engen, Jakeim Hart & More to Star in MILLENNIALS ARE KILLING MUSICALS Off-Broadway

Out of the Box Theatrics has announced the initial casting and creative team for their Off-Broadway developmental production of Millennials Are Killing Musicals. See performances dates, and how to purchase tickets!

Review: MY FAIR LADY at Kauffman Center

The core notion behind Lerner and Lowe’s 1956 “My Fair Lady.” This musical theater classic is the tale of an arrogant, egocentric, patrician, professor and phonetician named Henry Higgins and his fraught relationship with an attractive (behind the soot), unschooled, young flower-seller named Eliza Doolittle.  

Broadway's SIX Breaks Box Office Record to Close Out 2022

Broadway's Tony Award-winning musical SIX closed out 2022 with a new box office record at the Lena Horne Theatre. SIX grossed $1,649,206.00 for 8 shows of the holiday performance week ending January 1, 2023, besting the previous record of $1,357,276.00 set by the hit musical.

New Stage Adaptation Of THE LAVENDER HILL MOB Opens In Brighton Next Week

The Lavender Hill Mob based on the screenplay by T.E.B. Clarke, adapted for the stage by Phil Porter opens in Brighton next week. 

Lewis Black: OFF THE RAILS TOUR Coming To The Van Wezel

Grammy Award winning stand-up comedian Lewis Black brings his Off the Rails Tour to the Van Wezel on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 7 p.m. Tickets on sale now.

LaChanze, Norm Lewis, Michael McElroy & More Announced as New Black Theatre United Executive Committee

Black Theatre United has announced its new Executive Leadership Committee which includes President LaChanze, Vice President Michael McElroy, Secretary Lisa Dawn Cave, Treasurer Norm Lewis and Compliance Officer Tamara Tunie.

SIX National Tour is Coming to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in February

Tickets for the electrifying Tony Award-Winning new musical phenomenon SIX by Tony Award-Winners Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss at the  Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall will go on sale Friday, November 4 at 10AM for 8 performances from Wednesday, February 1 to Sunday, February 5, 2023.

New Book THE AMERICAN THEATRE AS SEEN BY HIRSCHFELD, 1962 " 2002 to be Released in November

The American Theatre as seen by Hirschfeld 1962-2002 showcases Hirschfeld’s greatest theater work from five decades, including some of the most important productions from the last sixty years. It will be available exclusively online and at The Museum of Broadway starting November 15.

Nederlander Organization Will Unveil The Lena Horne Theatre November 1

The Nederlander Organization will officially rename the Brooks Atkinson Theatre as the Lena Horne Theatre  on Tuesday, November 1, in honor of the iconic entertainer and civil rights activist, becoming the first Broadway theatre to be named for a Black woman.

SIX THE MUSICAL To Perform At The Providence Performing Arts Center 2022/2023 Gala Celebration

J.L. “Lynn” Singleton, President and CEO of the Providence Performing Arts Center has announced that PPAC's 2022/2023 Gala Celebration features a performance of the Tony Award-Winning electrifying new musical phenomenon SIX by Tony Award-winners Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 7:30P; the Gala Celebration will follow.

Lewis Black Brings OFF THE RAILS TO Orpheum Theater In February 2023

LEWIS BLACK: OFF THE RAILS comes to Orpheum Theater (315 North Phillips Ave., Sioux Falls, Sd 57104) on Thursday, February 16, 2023.

Broadway's SIX Drummer Elena Bonomo to Return to LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS Band This Week

Drummer Elena Bonomo, who performs nightly in the band, The Ladies in Waiting, in Broadway’s Tony Award-winning hit musical SIX, is making a return appearance on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” throughout the week of October 11 as a guest drummer with the 8G Band.

SIX Boleyn Tour To Play Tulsa PAC in November

Tickets for the Tony Award-Winning electrifying new musical phenomenon SIX by Tony Award-winners Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss will go on sale Thursday, October 6th at 10:30am for eight performances at Tulsa PAC from November 22nd - 27th.

SIX Releases New Block Of Tickets Through May 21, 2023 and Celebrates One Year on Broadway

A new block of tickets has just been released for the Broadway production of SIX, the hit musical by 2022 Tony Award winners Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. Tickets are now on sale through May 21, 2023.

Brooks Atkinson FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Special Tony Award (Tony Awards) and Special Citation (Obie Awards) .

Special Tony Award (Tony Awards)and Special Citation (Obie Awards).

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