Henry Hewes
Encyclopedia
Henry Hewes was the Drama Critic
for the Saturday Review weekly literary magazine from 1955 to 1979. He was the first major critic to regularly review regional and international theater. His interest in regional theater led him to found the American Theater Critics Association, the Tony Award
for regional theater, and the American Theater Wing's design awards, now called the Hewes Awards. In 2002 he was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.
, Henry and Margaret Hewes. His mother was a theater producer. As a child, he became attracted to theater at age 10. He started pre-med studies at Harvard University
, but World War II
interrupted.
During World War II
Hewes served in the Army Air Corps
. After the war, he shifted to theatre studies, and graduated from Columbia University
in 1949.
, he began writing arts profiles for the Sunday Magazine section.
He moved to the weekly Saturday Review, a literary magazine, where he wrote as second critic to John Mason Brown
. At the age of 38 in 1955, Hewes was made the primary drama critic. He held that position until 1976 and was known for championing new playwrights and their works. He was also known for being the first major critic to cover regional and international theater as much as that in New York productions. In addition to his weekly articles, he edited the Best Plays annual anthology
from 1960-1964, helping bring attention to new work and playwrights.
In 1974 Hewes established the American Theater Critics Association, in part because of his interest in regional theater. He also contributed to founding the Tony Award
for regional theater and the American Theater Wing's design awards, now called the Hewes Awards.
American Theatre Wing
The American Theatre Wing is a New York City-based organization "dedicated to supporting excellence and education in theatre," according to its mission statement...
for the Saturday Review weekly literary magazine from 1955 to 1979. He was the first major critic to regularly review regional and international theater. His interest in regional theater led him to found the American Theater Critics Association, the Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
for regional theater, and the American Theater Wing's design awards, now called the Hewes Awards. In 2002 he was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.
Early life and education
Hewes was born to a socially prominent family in BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Henry and Margaret Hewes. His mother was a theater producer. As a child, he became attracted to theater at age 10. He started pre-med studies at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, but World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
interrupted.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Hewes served in the Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
. After the war, he shifted to theatre studies, and graduated from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in 1949.
Marriage and family
Hewes married Jane Fowle, with whom he had three sons: Henry, Tucker, and Havelock.Career
Hewes went to New York, where his first job in theatre journalism was working as a copy boy at the New York Times. Encouraged by the critic Brooks AtkinsonBrooks Atkinson
Justin Brooks Atkinson was an American theatre critic. He worked for The New York Times from 1925 to 1960...
, he began writing arts profiles for the Sunday Magazine section.
He moved to the weekly Saturday Review, a literary magazine, where he wrote as second critic to John Mason Brown
John Mason Brown
John Mason Brown was an American drama critic and author.Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he graduated from Harvard College in 1923. He worked for the New York Evening Post from 1929 to 1941. He served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy during World War II, beginning in 1942...
. At the age of 38 in 1955, Hewes was made the primary drama critic. He held that position until 1976 and was known for championing new playwrights and their works. He was also known for being the first major critic to cover regional and international theater as much as that in New York productions. In addition to his weekly articles, he edited the Best Plays annual anthology
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
from 1960-1964, helping bring attention to new work and playwrights.
In 1974 Hewes established the American Theater Critics Association, in part because of his interest in regional theater. He also contributed to founding the Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
for regional theater and the American Theater Wing's design awards, now called the Hewes Awards.
Legacy and honors
- Elected President of the New York Drama Critics Circle and the Drama Desk
- 2002, Hewes was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.
Sources
- "Henry Hewes", New General Catalog of Old Books and Authors]