Monday, March 31, 2014

If/Then

Idina Menzel's new vehicle If/Then is ambitious but flawed. Still, I liked seeing a female lead character on Broadway who's not a hysterical mom or a plucky heroine. My review's here.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Before the Walking Dead S4 finale

In anticipation of The Walking Dead's season 4 finale this Sunday, I look at the so-called back-eight episodes. I came around on Carl: That's the power of Michonne! Click here for some zombaction.

Mountain-climbing gallery

Who doesn't like a climbing movie, in which men (usually men) hang from fraying ropes or fall into crevasses? Even better if there's gunfight, too! Thataway for my selection.

King Lear

Another King Lear rolls down the pike, this time at Theatre for a New Audience. And it really, really annoyed me. Wanna know why? Head over there.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Hellman v. McCarthy

Maybe because I identify with cranks, maybe because Roberta Maxwell is so good in the part, but I was kinda rooting for Lillian Hellman in the new play Hellman v. McCarthy. Thataway for my review.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Beyond Therapy

I'm not sure Christopher Durang's 1982 farce Beyond Therapy hasn't gone past its expiration date, and the TACT company's new revival certainly doesn't make a good case for it. My review's here.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Mothers and Sons

I didn't care much for Terrence McNally's latest, Mothers and Sons. And that's an understatement. Thataway to my pan.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Les Misérables

You can't keep those French urchins away! I for one won't complain at having to see Les Misérables one time more -- I love me some bombast. Click here for my review of the latest version to hit Broadway.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Aladdin

Disney is often accused of making soulless corportate entertainment, which is a simply ridiculous accusation. Well, except in the case of its latest musical, Aladdin, which does feel designed by committee. My review's here.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Tales from Red Vienna

I think David Grimm's latest is going to be the subject of much derision — unfairly so. It's a failure, yes, but an interesting, ambitious one. And I suspect a lot of the mocking will be similar to the mocking of 1940s women's pictures, when Bette Davis or Joan Crawford sailed into the sunset alone but stronger. My review's here.

Preview of the xx at the Armory

Back to my first love with a music preview! Click here to read about the xx's forthcoming shows at the Park Avenue Armory.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Appropriate

What Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Appropriate lacks in originality, it makes up for in sheer entertainment. Because really, who doesn't want to watch a family go up in flames at the theater? Click here for my review.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Rocky

Word to the wise: My review of the new Rocky musical is a lot more ambivalent than the headline suggests. Read for yourself here.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Hand to God

I'd missed Hand to God on its first two go-rounds at EST but hey, better late than never. My review of this formidably demented show is here.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Character Man

Jim Brochu's new "musical memoir" pays tribute to the character men (aka character actors) of yore. Thataway for my review.

Friday, March 07, 2014

All the Way

"All the Way with LBJ!" That was LBJ's campaign slogan in 1964, but it also applies to Bryan Cranston in his Broadway debut: The guy is fully committed. My review's here.

Thursday, March 06, 2014

The Open House

The first of the two Will Eno plays of the spring is The Open House, at Signature. OMG, I kinda liked it! My review's here.

Sweeney Todd

The New York Philharmonic tackles Sweeney Todd again, this time with Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson. My review's here.

Tuesday, March 04, 2014

The Happiest Song Plays Last

So much potential, so little of it actually happening on stage: that is The Happiest Song Plays Last, which I reviewed here.

Monday, March 03, 2014

Middle of the Night

Middle of the Night is worth a look for a couple of reasons: it's a rare Paddy Chayefsky play and Jonathan Hadary gives a terrific performance. Thataway for my review.

Stage Kiss

I can't remember the last time I laughed so much as during the first act of Sarah Ruhl's Stage Kiss. A comic triumph. Click here for my review.