Bruce Weber has been named the New York Times' new second-string theatre critic. He replaces Peter Marks. The decision, announced March 10, comes nearly four months after Marks gave notice, and as the theatre community embarks upon the busy, pre-Tony season.
Weber, a general arts reporter, has been reviewing a show here, a show there, since the beginning of the year. Several seasons backs, he spent a year as the On Stage and Off columnist, a post currently filled by Jesse McKinley.
Marks told Playbill On-Line the choice to change was his and noted that he doesn't like to stay in any one position for too long a time. "I've always loved politics, so this was really an ideal opportunity," he said.
Ben Brantley is the Times' first-string critic. Third-string critics include Lawrence Van Gelder, D.J.R. Bruckner and Wilborn Hampton III.
--By Robert Simonson
