Clive Barnes, the influential legit and dance critic who had covered performing arts in Gotham for more than 40 years, died Wednesday in New York of complications from cancer. He was 81.
Barnes had continued to file reviews to the New York Post, for which he had written since 1978, until a few weeks before his death. Subjects of his final articles included the current Broadway revival of "All My Sons" and programs by American Ballet Theater.
Prior to his tenure at the Post, Barnes cultivated a high profile as a theater and dance critic for the New York Times. He was a powerful enough figure on Broadway that he earned a notable attack in "The Season," William Goldman's book about the 1967-68 Rialto season.
I grew up reading his reviews. Generally, I didn't care what he was reviewing. It was always entertaining. RIP.
Tiger_Fodder
Braintree, MA
June 2007
NOV 19, 2008 04:33 PM