Columnist/Critic Frank Rich to Speak at The Colonial Theatre

Frank Rich

Frank Rich

(PITTSFIELD, Mass.) – Former New York Times columnist and theater critic Frank Rich will speak at the Colonial Theatre on Sunday, October 9 at 2 pm. WAMC Northeast Public Radio’s morning host Joe Donahue will moderate the conversation with Rich, who now writes a monthly column for New York magazine.
As the former chief theater critic at the Times, Rich was one of the most powerful and feared men in the theater world. Rich was known for being one of the first writers to predict the success of Follies by Stephen Sondheim during his time as an undergraduate. After such a spectacular beginning to his reviewing career, Rich spent many years reviewing theater. Rich’s love of criticism came from an undeniable love of theater and the possession of an incredibly analytical mind. He once said that “The lowest form of criticism — actually worthless, in my opinion — is, ‘I give this an A or an F, or I give this four stars. What matters is making the case for why Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George is a visionary show … The easy part is having the opinion. The fun part is telling the story of how you got there.”

Now a long-form columnist for New York magazine, Rich focuses on the connection between culture and the news. In 1999 he was the first writer for the New York Times to have a regular double-length column in the Op-Ed section.

Before the Times, Rich was a critic of film and television for Time Magazine and the New York Post. Ghost Light, his childhood memoir, was published in 2000. In Ghost Light, Rich explored his childhood in Washington D.C., the influence that his parents’ divorce had on him and the refuge that theater provided. Later he wrote The Greatest Story Ever Sold: The Decline and Fall of Truth from 9/11 to Katrina, which chronicled his views on the Bush administration and the misinformation fed to the American public.

“From his years as head drama critic and featured columnist for the New York Times to his current work with New York Magazine, Frank Rich has helped shape our view of arts, politics and world we share,” says Kate Maguire, artistic director/CEO of Berkshire Theatre Group.

Tickets are VIP: $100, A: $65, B: $45 and C: $15. The VIP tickets include preferred seating and a pre-show brunch with Frank Rich Tickets may be purchased in person at the Colonial Ticket Office at 111 South Street or by calling 413. 997.4444 or online at the Colonial Theatre. The Ticket Office is open Monday-Friday 10am–5pm, Saturdays 10am–2pm or on any performance day from 10am until intermission.

 

 

 

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