by JK Clarke . . . .
Edward Medina, a beloved member of the New York theater critics community and a cherished colleague here at Theater Pizzazz, died Wednesday evening following complications from heart transplant surgery last fall.
The very definition of a Renaissance Man, Medina was a writer, director, actor, producer, businessman and erstwhile Disney World Railroad engineer, as well as producer for the Jim Henson Company. He was a voting member of The Drama Desk, executive committee member with the American Theater Critics Association, and member of Theater Resources Unlimited and the Manhattan Association of Cabarets.
As a theater critic, for both Theater Pizzazz and Theater Review NYC, Medina was compassionate, analytical and bold, always conveying an absolute love for performance. And in the industry bodies on which he served, he strove for diversity and inclusion with ardor.
Most of all, what friends and colleagues saw in Medina was a warmth and charisma that made itself known the moment he walked in a room. Edward will be deeply missed by all of us at Theater Pizzazz and his absence will be felt throughout the New York Theater community.
