Drama Critics Critiqued; More 'Advocacy' Needed

At a time when non-profit theaters are eclipsing the marquees of Broadway, theater critics must become strong advocates of the best plays and productions, a panel of top drama critics told a Boylston Hall crowd Monday night.

"We have to recognize that drama criticism has to be dealing with a changing theater, and that drama criticism is falling behind," said New Republic Drama Critic Robert S. Brustein, professor of English and artistic director of the American Repertory Theatre (A.R.T.).

"Drama criticism is equipped to deal with a commercial theater that is dropping dead before our eyes," Brustein said.

"No play--non-musical play--has been produced on Broadway this year," said New York Times drama critic Frank Rich '71.

Because non-profit resident theaters depend on season ticket sales, bad reviews do little damage to their financial health, Rich said.

"I am saying that the day when serious plays live or die [due to] The New York Times review are over," Rich said.

He said that the only productions left on Broadway are glitzy musicals that "are beyond the level of theater criticism."

"They are sold like Disneyland rides," Rich said.

"Critics affect our theater [the non-profit A.R.T.] hardly at all," said Brustein. "We don't really need critics here the way the New York commercial theater needs critics, to tell people to go or not to go."

Instead, "the critic has to play an evangelical role, to show why the theater is worth getting excited about," said Richard Eder, former drama critic for The New York Times.

The critic must also try to prod "critic-proof" resident theaters, he said. "Without intellectual excitement from outside the [resident] theater, it would be a school play for geniuses."

Critics "are not looked upon with great favor because we're not accountable to anyone," said Brustein.

Rich replied, saying "If you write for a publication with a demanding audience, they will complain vociferously. I feel I'm accountable all the time."

All three print critics agreed that drama commentary on television is of no value.

Eder recalled his own experience as a TV critic, saying "I was shown like a survivor of an air piracy, 'Here's someone who's been to the theater.'"

"It's very simple," Rich said. "The whole point of local news shows is to be entertaining, so drama criticism [on television] cannot be good or valuable."