If you’ve spent any time in the dark, velvet-lined rooms of New York City’s cabaret scene or sat through a marathon of Broadway previews, you know the name Barbara Siegel. She’s kind of a big deal in that world. For decades, she and her husband, Scott Siegel, have been the power couple of theater criticism, shaping careers with a single nod or a sharp paragraph. But lately, people have been whispering. There’s been a lot of confusion online because, honestly, the name Barbara Siegel isn’t exactly rare.
So, let's get the big question out of the way immediately. Is Barbara Siegel still alive? Yes. As of early 2026, the legendary theater critic and former Drama Desk nominating committee chair is very much alive and active.
The confusion usually stems from a few different places. First, there’s an artist named Barbara Siegel who sadly passed away back in 2015. Then, there are various obituaries for women with the same name from Pennsylvania to California that pop up in Google searches. It’s a mess for anyone just trying to see if their favorite critic is still writing. But if you're looking for the woman who has seen more than 300 shows a year for the better part of two decades, she’s still here.
Why Everyone Asks: Is Barbara Siegel Still Alive?
The internet is a weird place. You search for a name, and a "People Also Ask" box shows you an obituary from three years ago. Your heart drops. But if you look closer, that Barbara Siegel lived in a different state and had a completely different life.
Our Barbara Siegel—the theater one—is a staple of the New York scene. She hasn’t retired into the shadows. In fact, she’s still co-writing "The Siegel Column" for Theater Pizzazz. If you check their latest updates from December 2025 and January 2026, you’ll see her name right there alongside Scott’s. They’ve been reviewing the current 2025-26 Broadway season, talking about everything from the revival of Ragtime to the latest cabaret acts at 54 Below.
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It’s almost impressive how much ground she covers. While most of us are exhausted after one mid-week show, Barbara is often out four or five nights a week. She’s basically the marathon runner of the theater world.
The Legacy of a Drama Desk Giant
To understand why people care so much about whether she's still around, you have to look at what she’s done for the community. Barbara chaired the Drama Desk nominating committee for 12 years. That’s a long time to be the gatekeeper for one of the most prestigious awards in theater.
She didn't just sit in the front row and judge, though. She’s known for being a "nurturer."
More Than Just a Critic
- Mentor to Young Talent: She and Scott produce "Broadway’s Next Generation" showcases.
- A Consistent Voice: Her reviews aren't just about "good" or "bad." They’re about the history of the craft.
- Philanthropy: Many of the events she’s involved in, like the tributes held in her honor at the Metropolitan Room, benefit The Actors Fund.
I remember reading about a tribute they threw for her a few years back. It wasn't just a party; it was a benefit. That tells you everything you need to know about her vibe. She loves the performers as much as the performances. She’s the person who remembers a featured actor's name from an Off-Off-Broadway show ten years ago and follows their career until they hit the big time.
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Sorting Through the "Barbara Siegel" Namesakes
Honestly, it’s easy to see why people get tripped up. If you go down the rabbit hole of searching for her, you’ll find:
- Barbara Siegel (The Artist): A talented artist and teacher at Parsons who passed away in December 2015.
- Barbara A. Siegel: A woman from Pennsylvania who passed in mid-2025.
- Barbara K. Siegel: A prominent attorney and lecturer at USC. She’s very much alive and teaching law, but she isn't the theater critic.
When you're searching for "is Barbara Siegel still alive," you have to be specific. If you don't see "Broadway," "Drama Desk," or "Scott Siegel" mentioned in the article, it’s probably not the Barbara you’re looking for.
What is She Doing Now in 2026?
As we move through the 2026 theater season, Barbara and Scott are as busy as ever. They recently weighed in on the "breakout performances" of the year, giving massive props to actors in shows like Chess and the revival of Art.
They also continue to work on Scott’s massive concert series, "54 Sings Broadway’s Greatest Hits," which is now in its 11th season. While Scott is the face on the stage, Barbara is often the "unbilled right-hand," helping with repertoire choices and lyric interpretation. She’s the secret sauce behind a lot of those successful shows.
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It's actually pretty cool to see a couple work together for that long in a high-pressure industry like show business. They’ve managed to stay relevant while the industry has changed around them—moving from print to digital, and surviving the total shutdown of theater during the pandemic.
Actionable Insights: How to Follow Her Work
If you want to keep up with what Barbara is actually doing (and avoid those scary obituary mix-ups), here is how you do it:
- Check Theater Pizzazz regularly. This is where "The Siegel Column" lives. They usually post deep dives into the current season every few weeks.
- Look for Scott Siegel’s productions at 54 Below. If there’s a "Broadway by the Year" or "Greatest Hits" show happening, Barbara is likely involved in the preparation.
- Don't trust the snippets. If you see a headline about a "Barbara Siegel" passing away, click through and check the biography. If it doesn't mention the Drama Desk or New York theater, it's a different person.
The theater world is small, and voices like Barbara’s are rare. She provides a bridge between the "old" Broadway and the new, experimental stuff happening in basements in the Village. Knowing she’s still out there, pen in hand, is a comfort to anyone who loves the stage.
Next time you’re sitting in a theater and you see a woman with a sharp eye and a notebook, take a second look. It might just be her, helping decide who gets the next big award. Stay informed by sticking to dedicated theater news sites rather than general search engines that might conflate different people with the same name.