OPENING NIGHTS

by Martin Gottfried ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 10, 1969

Woman's Wear Daily critic Martin Gottfried brought a much more considered insight to his earlier A Theater Divided (1967). It stressed the polarization between the Conservative Right and the Revolutionary Left that was nullifying Broadway productions. This book is a hodgepodge of what one must assume were hastily written afterthoughts on opening nights from '63 to '69. With some remarkable judgments -- Man of La Mancha is dismissed as in ""a pretty soggy rut."" While After the Fall is dubbed ""a brilliant work."" Hair is ""sloppy"" while 1776 is ""souvenir Shop patriotism,"" Mr. Gottfried sometimes fails to back his sentiments with any. trenchant criticism. And his admiration for the avantgarde leads him to hail the Living Theatre as the Messiah of the future. A generally superficial performance.

Pub Date: Nov. 10, 1969

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1969

Categories: NONFICTION