Longtime New York Threatre Critic and Humorist Michael Dale Joins OnStage Blog

Michael Dale, a critic and humorist, who has been covering the New York theatre scene for over two decades, is joining OnStage Blog. His new weekly column, "Michael Dale’s Theatre Crawl: Obsessing over New York’s stages since 1976", will premiere on November 7th at onstageblog.com

While playing Luther Billis in his high school production of South Pacific, Michael Dale grew addicted to the power of making people laugh, and continued on to a misspent youth of singing, dancing, and acting in dinner theatres, summer stocks, and audience participation murder mysteries before segueing his theatrical ambitions into playwriting and directing. Despite a complete lack of journalistic training, he’s best known for his years as Chief Theatre Critic for BroadwayWorld. Also for his insistence on correcting anyone who refers to a theatre cast album as a soundtrack.

Dale's new column will celebrate the variety of theatre and live performances to be enjoyed all over New York, rather than just on Broadway. "While I’ve always enjoyed the history and glamour that comes with going to a Broadway show, I strongly feel that some of the most exciting live performances in New York have always been happening in the smaller, lesser-known venues, where people can pay far less money for a great night out," Dale said. "The artists who work full-time at survival jobs while creating Off-Off-Broadway and indie theatre are just as important to this city’s vibrant culture as those whose names are in lights in Times Square, and with this column, I intend to make them a part of the same conversation."

"My column will be a positive-minded playgoer’s diary, with an extra focus on what I think is worthwhile and affordable," he added.

"I've been a fan of Michael's work for a long time," OnStage Blog founder, Chris Peterson said. "To have the opportunity to feature his work is a dream come true. Voices like Michael's need to be amplified more than ever before."