Irene Backalenick

Irene is a co-founder of the Connecticut Critics’ Circle and has been an active member until her retirement in 2018. She continues to be a Theatre critic/writer for Backstage, Connecticut Post, The National Jewish Post & Opinion, and several web sites (including NYtheaterscene.com–a web site which she shares with David Rosenberg). Feature writer for national magazines and publications.

Education: Ph.D in theatre criticism from CUNY Graduate Center, New York. B.A.–Brown University, summa cum laude and highest honors in English Literature. Her book, “East Side Story–Ten Years with the Jewish Repertory Theatre” (based on her doctoral thesis) won a national book award in history. Other national and state awards for journalism and theatre criticism include a New York Times Publishers Award.

Freelance feature writer and stringer for The New York Times (five years). Active in such professional organizations as the American Theatre Critics Association, Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, and the Connecticut Critics Circle (co-founder). Husband William (retired art director).

Four children and three grandchildren.

Contact: ireneback@sbcglobal.net