Saturday, August 17, 2024

Looking back at the Alien franchise

To celebrate the release of Alien: Romulus, I watched all the movies in the franchise and wrote about it for the Times. There's an audio version, too!

Caligula: The Ultimate Cut

If you search this blog, you'll find a couple of entries about the 1980 movie Caligula. I'm back into the fray for this "Ultimate Cut": review thataway.

Ivo van Hove interview

Ivo van Hove has taken the reins of the Ruhrtrienniale for three years. We talked about the programming for his inaugural edition, putting on shows and whether we'll see him originate a show on Broadway again. Thataway for the interview.

Once Upon a Mattress on Broadway

The Encores! production of Once Upon a Mattress is now on Broadway, and the chemistry between Michael Urie and Sutton Foster is even better than it was in January. You can read my review in the New York Times here.

A trip to Wisconsin

Before my weekend in Chicago I'd spent a few days discovering American Players Theater in Spring Green, Wisconsin — and the resulting article is here. I'm already making plans to return on vacation next year, possibly in August when they have more shows in rep and I can really binge!

Thursday, August 08, 2024

A trip to Chicago

On a recent whirlwind weekend in Chicago, I saw musical adaptations of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and Lord of the Rings, as well as the latest Samuel D. Hunter play, Little Bear Ridge Road. You can find my critic's notebook here.

Science fiction for early August

The well of science fiction never runs dry! Here are five more movies to stream when it's too hot outside.

Introducing team handball

For the New York Times Audio, I spoke about team handball. Hint: it's not played against a wall and there are teams and goalies. Click here then put on your headphones.

Pre-Existing Condition

I spoke to all the actresses — Tatiana Maslany, Maria Dizzia, Julia Chan, Deirdre O'Connell, Tavi Gevinson and Edie Falco — who have or are playing the character A in the play Pre-Existing Condition, as well as the author, Marin Ireland. Quite a feat, if I may say so myself, to manage to quote everybody in such a relatively short piece. Click here for the story.