Before Frank Rich used his arrogance to tell us who we should vote for, he used it to tell us what plays we should see.  Rich was, arguably, the last uber-powerful NY Times Theatre Critic.  Unless a show had a huge advance and a great resume of talent behind it (“Cats,” “Phantom”) a pan from him would severely threaten a show’s future.  Meanwhile, if he and he alone liked a show, he had the power to keep it afloat much longer than natural market forces would have allowed (“Sunday in the Park”). 

Now theatre-boy Frank is an op-ed columnist and is known for erudite and vicious slams at all things Republican.  This week, in trying to support President Obama’s disastrous spending bill, he not only assails the House Republicans, but takes frequent shots at the former President.  (more…)