Claudia Cassidy (1899 – July 21, 1996), was an influential, 20th-century American performing arts critic. She was a long-time critic for the Chicago Tribune.
Starting her career in 1925, she was at first a music and drama critic for The Journal of Commerce in Chicago before moving to the Tribune. [1] She was so well known for giving caustic reviews to what she considered bad performances that she earned the nickname "Acidy Cassidy." [2] Cassidy had a particular aversion to touring companies of Broadway shows. [3] [4] In her music criticism, according to a 1993 article in the Chicago Reader, conductor Rafael Kubelik was "practically hounded out of town" by Cassidy. [5]
Although she had a reputation for biting critique, Cassidy's enthusiasm may have been even more powerful. [3] Her sustained praise for The Glass Menagerie over several columns is credited with rescuing the show from closing in tryouts and propelling it to move on to Broadway success. [6] According to Philip Rose, A Raisin in the Sun became a hit after a surprise positive review from Cassidy as well as "good reviews in other papers." [4] In 1975, Cassidy was awarded the Joseph Jefferson Award. [2] Her last published writing was for the 1990-91 Lyric Opera program book.[ citation needed]
Cassidy was married to William J. Crawford for 57 years. [2] After her husband died in 1986, Cassidy lived at the Drake Hotel until her death in 1996 at the age of 96. [2]
The Claudia Cassidy Theater of the Chicago Cultural Center is named in her honor. [7]