Critic's Choice is a play written by Ira Levin. Ira Levin (born August 27, 1929 in New York) is an American novelist, playwright and songwriter. ...

It opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on December 14, 1960 and ran for 189 performances, closing on May 27, 1961. Otto Preminger directed. Oleg Cassini provided the costumes. The Ethel Barrymore Theatre is located in New York City, on 243 W. 47th St (between 8th Avenue and Broadway. ... Otto Ludwig Preminger (December 5, 1906 – April 23, 1986) was a film director. ... Oleg Cassini Oleg Cassini (April 11, 1913 – March 17, 2006) was an American fashion designer noted for being chosen by Jacqueline Kennedy to design her state wardrobe in the 1960s. ...

A play in three acts, Critic's Choice tells the story of theater critic Parker Ballantine whose second wife, Angela, writes a play which is produced on Broadway. The play is awful and Parker writes a scathing review. After reading the review, Angela decides to leave Parker for her play's director Dion Kapakos whom Angela feels is the man who truly understands her. Parker begs Angela to stay, admits he should have helped her write the play, acknowledges that he's to blame for Angela wanting to leave, but stands by his nasty review.

Reviewing for The New York Times, Howard Taubman wrote, "Ira Levin's new comedy, which opened at the Ethel Barrymore last night, is not much of a play." And, "Otto Preminger's staging discloses a seasoned hand, although his pacing often turns languid and his ideas for comedy run thin, like the playwright's."

In 1963, the play was made into a film of the same name starring Bob Hope and Lucille Ball. Critics Choice is a 1963 film directed by Don Weis. ... Bob Hope KBE, KCSG, (May 29, 1903–July 27, 2003), born Leslie Townes Hope, was a famous British-American entertainer who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, on radio and television, in movies, and in performing tours for U.S. Army personnel. ... Lucille Désirée Ball (August 6, 1911–April 26, 1989) was an iconic American actress, comedian and star of I Love Lucy. ...

Opening Night Cast

• Henry Fonda as Parker Ballantine
• Eddie Hodges as John Ballantine
• Georgann Johnson as Angela Ballatine
• Murray Hamilton as Dion Kapakos
• Billie Allen as Essie
• Mildred Natwick as Charlotte Orr
• Virginia Gilmore as Ivy London

Fonda in the 1957 classic, 12 Angry Men. ... Murray Hamilton Murray Hamilton (born March 24, 1923; died September 1, 1986) was an American stage, screen, and television character actor. ... Mildred Natwick (June 19, 1905 – October 25, 1994) was an American stage and film actress. ...

External links

• Critic's Choice at The Internet Broadway Database

The Internet Broadway Database (IBDB) is an online database of Broadway theatre productions and their personnel. ...

References

• The New York Times, December 15, 1960
• Botto, Louis. Playbill: At This Theatre (Applause Books, 2002) (ISBN 1557835667)
• Levin, Ira. Critic's Choice (Random House, New York, 1961)