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Atkinson joined THE NEW YORK TIMES in 1922 and three years later became its drama critic, a post he held until he retired in 1960. Known for his equitable assessment of each dramatic piece, he was an early champion of Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller; who both gave him credit for supporting their careers. Occasionally Atkinson might misjudge something -- he famously panned "Pal Joey" in 1940 by writing, "How can one draw sweet water from so foul a well?" -- but when the show was revived in 1952, he graciously reversed his opinion. Among his books are THE LIVELY YEARS, a collection of reviews with illustrations by Al Hirschfeld; and a history, BROADWAY.
Read an excerpt of his critique:
Like "South Pacific," "The King and I" is a skillfully written musical drama with a well-designed libretto, a rich score, a memorable performance and a magnificent production. But there is more to it than that. Note that in both "South Pacific" and "The King and I" there are no villains. There are only human beings, subject to the usual frailties of human nature -- people decent at heart, but incompletely heroic. Their impulses are good, but they are not masters of every situation. In the course of the evening they learn from each other. Being genuine artists, which means that they have an attitude toward life, Mr. Rodgers and Mr. Hammerstein have got way beyond the mechanical formulae on which musical shows are founded and are saying something fundamental about human beings.
photo credits: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, FSA-OWI Collection (LC-USW3-009029-E DLC)
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