Bill Edwards, 57; Veteran Theater Critic for Variety

Bill Edwards, who had covered the Los Angeles theater scene longer than other currently active critics, died Thursday at Hollywood Community Hospital. The veteran reporter for Daily Variety was 57 and had a history of heart trouble.

Edwards, whose tag line “Edwa” had appeared in Daily Variety for 20 years, had a particular interest in the development of Equity Waiver theaters, where new plays that often went on to greater successes were first seen before small audiences at reasonable prices.

A Navy veteran of the Korean War and a founding member of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, Edwards is survived by two sisters and a brother. A memorial service will be held at the James A. Doolittle Theater at 7:30 p.m. on March 16.