Roma Torre
Broadcast News Journalist
Before teaming up with 5th Row Center executive producer Karin Garfin, Roma spent 28 years at NY1 as a news anchor and chief theater critic. During her years there, she anchored News All Day, hosted Inside City Hall, contributed regularly to NY1 On Stage, covered the Tony Awards and major New York news events, and won multiple Emmy Awards, including one specifically for her theater reviews, which is unprecedented.
Transitions
Roma’s career has always reached beyond the anchor desk. She has appeared as an actress in a number of feature films, including The Manchurian Candidate, In Good Company, Cloverfield and The Batman. She also co-produced the documentary Shout Gladi Gladi, narrated by Meryl Streep, and has used her public platform to advocate for colorectal cancer screening and early detection.
In The Wild
Roma grew up sitting 5th row center. At 3 years old, she saw her first Broadway show with her mother, legendary journalist and theater critic Marie Torre. Since beginning her broadcast journalism career at News 12 Long Island in 1987, Roma has spent nearly four decades reviewing theater. Today, she continues writing critiques for New York Stage Review, covering Broadway and Off-Broadway productions.
Been There
Long before theater criticism became her signature, Roma was carrying cameras, reporting from the field and covering hard news. Her assignments ranged from politics and breaking news to major disasters, including the 1990 Avianca plane crash, coverage that earned her a New York Emmy Award for Outstanding Coverage of an Instant Single Breaking News Story.
Done That
The honors tell another part of the story. Roma later won a New York Emmy for her theater criticism and was inducted into the New York Chapter of NATAS’s prestigious Silver Circle, recognizing more than 25 years of distinguished work in television. Her career has moved between hard news and Broadway.
What's Next ?
Now Roma is adding another chapter. Along with her work at 5th Row Center …with Roma Torre, she is writing a play about her mother, Marie Torre, whose own extraordinary career in journalism made national history. A nationally syndicated entertainment columnist and critic, Marie was jailed for refusing to reveal a confidential source in a story involving Judy Garland and CBS. Roma’s play turns that landmark press-freedom battle into something more personal: the story of a daughter looking back at the woman, the journalist and the legacy that helped shape her own life.
5th Row Center
Today, Roma brings that lifetime of journalism and theater experience to 5th Row Center …with Roma Torre. Created and executive produced by Karin Garfin, the interview and talk television series brings together in-depth conversations with theater artists and industry voices, live audience discussions and original coverage of the people and productions shaping live theater. In 2026, the series won a Telly Award in the Interview & Talk Television Show category and returns for its second season during 2026.