Glenna Syse, emeritus theatre critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, died Sun, March 4, of a brain tumor. She was 73.
She joined the Chicago Sun-Times as reporter and critic in 1954, and held the post for 30 years as principal theatre and dance critic.
Syse always said her job as a critic was to report what she saw, rather than subject it to intellectual or theoretical analysis. Her peppy prose style and middlebrow approach concealed her sharp wit, dry humor, and competitiveness.
In the 1970's, she encouraged the growth of Chicago's Off-Loop theatre industry through articles that moved city officials to revise building codes to legalize non-traditional and non-proscenium performance spaces.
In addition to her work in Chicago, Syse served on the Pulitzer Prize jury and on the nominating committee for the Tony Awards. A memorial service is being planned for Syse, who left no survivors.
Klemperer Memorial Postponed
Werner Klemperer's memorial, originally scheduled for Tues., March 6, was postponed due to inclement weather. A new date will be announced shortly, according to Actors' Equity Association.
Klemperer, a versatile Broadway, film, and television actor best known for his colorful portrayal of Colonel Klink on the hit 1960s TV series "Hogan's Heroes," died on Wed., Dec. 6 at his home in New York City. He was 80.