GHOST LIGHT

The title refers to the lamp that dimly illuminates a theater stage when all other lights are out. It means to suggest that the theater haunts the author, a former New York Times drama critic. Apparently he and his publishers feel that the public will take an interest in this memoir of the first 20 years of his overprivileged life. As a theater professional of 30 years, this reviewer cannot get excited about a critic's personal life, except perhaps for his obituary. He lisps through his own adventures with little expression but enough speed and enthusiasm to keep things moving. Nothing in his delivery or his writing distinguishes an important critic, except for a capacious, selective, and discreet memory. Y.R. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 01]