“When you walk out of the theater, you’ll feel inspired, empowered, refreshed and rejuvenated by the joyous noise coming from the stage,” wrote Linda Armstrong in her review of “The Color Purple.”
Her review of the musical, the uplifting words and spirited praise are vintage Armstrong—the kind of critique that has made her one of the most fair and reliable theater critics in the nation. Rather than calling to congratulate her on receiving a Special Lifetime Achievement Award from AUDELCO, I thought I would jot down a few impressions of a writer who came to the Amsterdam News almost at the same time I arrived more than a generation ago.
Moreover, upon receiving the award, it was difficult for her to write about it, though she effusively thanked Grace Jones, AUDELCO’s president, for recognizing her lengthy tenure with a paper that has allowed her the opportunity to express her feelings and coverage of the theater—her “passion,” she stated.
Armstrong’s passion has been for years a reader’s benefit, either impressing upon them the need to check out a theater production or to let it pass until something better comes along. Like any reviewer, there’s going to be a number of folks who will take exception to your opinion, but most of the times Armstrong is spot on in her assessments, otherwise she would not have had such a long and respected career.
I can remember the first time I met her one day in Mel Tapley’s office. I had seen her reviews and was stunned that she was so young. Later, I would encounter her often with her daughter, and she always had a warm embrace and a kiss for me. This affection was obviously shared by thousands in the theater world, where she has stood like a beacon, particularly in providing coverage for African-American actors, actresses, producers, directors and nearly all the crew members involved in a production.
As I read her recent review of “The Color Purple,” Armstrong typically acknowledged every facet of the production, and that is rare for a reviewer. That’s one of the reasons performers looked forward to her reviews, assured that she would be fair and honest, even when she found something no exactly favorable.
I’ve been around the Amsterdam News long enough to hear the good and bad about everything to do with the paper, even my own reporting, but Armstrong has customarily soared above the fray. Of course, this is not to say there haven’t been the disagreements. Those differences, as they say in the business, come with the territory. What matters is to keep to your assignment, knowing full well there’s no way you’re going to satisfy everybody.
But clearly, in order to survive in the world of criticism, you’ve got to get it right more than getting it wrong. Performers, participants, producers and the general audience will let you know exactly how they feel, and catching too much flak will be the kiss of death.
So the general audience, as represented by AUDELCO, has delivered its judgment on a career, and there’s no better arbiter of good taste.
And I hope there’s a kiss for me the next time I see Linda.