As the new season opens, there will be one fewer critic looking on. Bob Anthony, who wrote through his Web site AllArtsReview4, passed away from respiratory failure on Saturday, August 20, 2011 after a three-week stay at George Washington University Hospital. According to Joel Markowitz, who interviewed Bob’s family last night and has produced a comprehensive tribute for MDTheatreGuide, Bob was a native of Pennsylvania and was born Robert Honeygosky June 7, 1932.
Bob Anthony was easily recognizable to theatregoers – a small man with wispy silver hair, usually seen in the lobby or during intermission bent over the latest book he was reading. He seemed shy and rarely approached anyone, but if you did happen to speak with him, he’d always break into a smile.
Bob spoke proudly of his days as an actor, and MDTheatreGuide reports that he appeared with Fred Rogers on “Mr. Rogers Neighborhood”, and befriended the likes of Jean Stapleton.
Bob’s life turned out to be a very lucky one. On the same year he won a state lottery, he went to Atlantic City and won an additional $300,000. A man who could have easily afforded to take up any pleasure he pleased, he chose to spend the time where his passions lie, reviewing theatre and classical music.
As a reviewer, he formed his opinions quickly, his reviews seemingly written as he rode home, and appearing in short form often the night of the show. His last published review was of Quotidian Theatre’s The Cherry Orchard, in which he joined other critics in praising the work of Jane Squier Bruns, but quarreled with the production elements and authenticity of the accents (a frequent peeve of a man once taught voice and diction at George Washington University.)
We extend our condolences to his family and to the fans of his work. For more on the life of Bob Anthony, we recommend the MDTheatreGuide tribute, and to Bob’s work itself, seen on AllArtsReview4.
I read his reviews along with others. He didn’t follow the herd. I didn’t always agree with some of the things he said, especially about an actor’s weight. His reviews could sometimes be enlightening as well as entertaining. I really appreciated how Mr. Anthony pointed out the excessive use of profanity and sexual innuendo in theatre and how it has a tendency to diminish and distract from the seriousness of theatre. I’ll miss reading his reviews.
Bob, you’ll be greatly missed. I loved your sometimes biting, always genuine reviews of local theatre.
My heart is heavy over the passing of Mr. Anthony. I’ve lost a mentor of sorts, and one of my company’s biggest champions. He loved Eugene O’Neill’s plays and loved what our company is doing. His helpful critiques, his comments, his suggestions to me were always spot-on, and always looked forward to with much appreciation. I learned a lot from him these past 2 years from just having talked to him oftentimes for 30 – 45 minutes (he ALWAYS showed up early with book in hand) as I waited with him in the lobby before the start of our productions. He was an extremely intuitive, intelligent, worldly, and yet shy man with a great sense of humor and a rare willingness to share his knowledge, experience, and expertise with those who sought it. I had and still have a tremendous amount of respect for him, and want nothing more than to bat our next production out of the park for him. I know he’ll be there.
Our entire company extends its deepest sympathies to his family.
Karey Faulkner
The Heritage-O’Neill Theatre Company
Silver Spring, MD