Richard L. Coe

Richard Livingston Coe (1914-1995)

Theatre Critic; Writer

The longtime theatre critic for The Washington Post, Richard L. Coe was renowned for the astute advice he gave to many pre-Broadway try-out companies. His adroit and knowledgeable commentary is credited with persuading producers to make changes vital to the ultimate success of
Hello Dolly, West Side Story, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and many other shows. Coe's enormous love of the theatre made him fierce when he thought that actors, directors or producers had not lived up to their best potential, but more often it made him sensitive to the nuances of good work, supportive of the best endeavors, and wise in educating audiences and encouraging their support of the live theatre.

One of the most notible contributions to Washington theatre include Coe's early efforts and participation in establishing The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Coe was a close friend of Washington native and actress, Helen Hayes, "First Lady of the American Theatre", and was contacted by a group of individuals seeking to secure her participation in establishing The Helen Hayes Awards, also in Washington, D.C

Coe received the Critic of the Year award by the
Directors Guild of America in 1963, and is an inductee in The College of Fellows of the American Theatre.

He became Theatre Critic Emeritus of The Washington Post in 1979.

He was preceded in death by his wife, journalist Christine Sadler, former Washington Post staff writer and Washington editor of McCall's Magazine.