Richard Christiansen Tribute by William Petersen
- on February 12th, 2010
- in Billy News •
As per our Tweet yesterday, Billy has written a wonderful tribute to Chicago Theater Critic, Richard Christiansen. In our February 5th update we mentioned that Victory Gardens Theater are naming their new theater after the very well respected Mr Christiansen. Below is a snippet, but you can read Billy’s full tribute here.
I’ll never forget his review of In the Belly of the Beast at Wisdom Bridge Theatre in 1983. He wrote in the review that he was so moved he had to “pull over to collect himself”. That review became famous among us actors. When a review would run, we’d ask, “was it a pull-over review”. That play was a powerful. It was a hard piece. The next day I read all the reviews by Glenna Syse, and Rick Kogan and Richard’s. I read Richard’s twice. I was so touched and moved. Richard got it.
It’s a lovely tribute. But I have to laugh — I so wanted to correct his grammar in a few places! Proof that he’s the actor and Mr. Christiansen was the critic and writer.
Elaine, you should check YOUR grammar before criticizing someone who is correct. I believe your objection is to the use of a singlular verb with the subject “any”. Billy is correct. It is a collective subject as in “anyone’ and the singular verb is correct. Was this worth your mentioning? Absolutely not. The tenor of the tribute was clear and honest and full of historic relevance. Thank you, Billy, for your generosity.