2: Once the most powerful reviewers in America, The New York Times' former drama critic, FRANK RICH. It was a great day for many playwrights when RICH stepped down as critic late last year. The British press once dubbed him "The Butcher of Broadway;" playwright David Mamet called him "a terrible critic. . . an unfortunate blot on the American theatre." Some playwrights and directors even chose to take their work elsewhere to save themselves from a review by RICH. But he's also been called "one of the most gifted critics ever to write for a newspaper... a rare and brilliant talent." Now, after thirteen years as drama critic, RICH is a columnist on the Times' Op-Ed page.
Copyright 1994 Fresh Air