1MC's next act

Why pay for cultural criticism? It's a fair question.

Photo by Matthew Wexler.

In the opening moments of the Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman, beleaguered salesman Willy Loman sits behind the wheel, headlights glaring into the audience—as if to ask, “Who else has been blinded by the American Dream?”

I was in tears before a line of Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play was spoken. That is the power of theater—and why I launched 1 Minute Critic. So yes, everyone has an opinion. Why pay for mine?

Fair question. Arts and culture criticism is at a tipping point. Recent months have seen massive layoffs at legacy publications like The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times, alongside cuts at independent media amplifying diverse voices, including equalpride and Q.Digital.

So I built a platform from scratch with an eye on the future of criticism.

Not just for me, but for a community of journalists and readers craving curated, concise takes on theater and culture in New York City and beyond.

As 1 Minute Critic continues to grow, Monday and Thursday posts will remain free. Starting May 10, you can support independent criticism by subscribing to our “Saturday Matinee” edition. Theater at the core, with room for whatever cultural moments we can’t stop talking about.

The format is loose by design: a conversation with a fellow critic, the opening of a monumental new art exhibit, or a first look at our seasonal arts & culture travel series. We’re also launching in-person events this summer, and paid subscribers will get early access. A handful of you have already stepped up as founding supporters—thank you for believing in this work.

Standard subscriptions are $8/month or $70/year. And for those ready to go all in, consider our Dress Circle founding membership at $120/year—our version of a house seat. I promise to give you a standing ovation, even if it’s from my living room.

The 11-year-old theater geek in me, belting “Tomorrow” from Annie with a red towel wrapped around my head, never could have imagined 1 Minute Critic. But in a world that often feels like we’re losing sight of what it means to share lived experiences, this is exactly where we’re supposed to be: together—waiting for the house lights to dim or standing in front of a new artwork that stops us in our tracks.

If you’d like to be part of it, I’d love for you to join as a subscriber. I can’t wait to see what the next act brings.

Matthew Wexler
Founder | Editorial Director