Surprises and snubs at the Tony nominations

It was action-packed this morning! Click here for my insta-take following the announcement of this year's Tony nominations.

The Substance of Fire

Second Stage revives Jon Robin Baitz's 1991 drama. After the unconvincing return of The Film Society, I'm beginning to wonder if maybe Baitz hasn't been a late bloomer -- his best work is more recent. Thataway for my review.

The Great Immensity

For the first time I've felt let down by a Civilians show. Click here for my review of The Great Immensity at the Public Theater.

My dream Tony nominations

Why wait until Tuesday for the real Tony nominations when you can discover my fantasy list now? Thataway to the fun stuff.

Cabaret

There were worse ways for the Roundabout to make a buck than to bring back its 1998 production of Cabaret — and the company was lucky Alan Cumming was still willing and able to return as the emcee. My review of this re-revival is here.

Casa Valentina

The first act of Casa Valentina hits all its marks. Things get trickier in the second, but then ending a play is often the biggest challence. Still, what a pleasure to see Reed Birney as a villain! My review of Harvey Fierstein's latest is here.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

People will eat up Neil Patrick Harris in Hedwig and the Angry Inch but you know who I'd love to see play Hedwig? Vintage Kiki. Rock & roll, man! My review's here.

The Velocity of Autumn

The Velocity of Autumn may have found an audience in a smaller theater but opening at the end of a busy Broadway season is a bad move -- the play just isn't strong enough. My review's here.

Violet redux

The Roundabout had the great idea to bring back last summer's Encores! production of Violet, once again led by Sutton Foster. Everybody wins. Click here for my review.

The Cripple of Inishmaan

Daniel Radcliffe is the big draw in The Cripple of Inishmaan, but that's my least favorite of his three Broadway appearances. In any case the Atlantic production a few years ago was much superior. My review's here.

Harvey Fierstein and Katherine Cummings talk cross-dressing and Catskills

Ahead of the Casa Valentina opening next week, Harvey Fierstein and Katherine Cummings talk cross-dressing and Catskills. One of the most fun dinner conversations I've had in ages.

The Mystery of Irma Vep

Charles Ludlam's camp classic returns to New York. Thataway for my review of the Red Bull revival.

Act One

I'm not among the legions of people obsessed with Act One, but I did enjoy the book, especially the first half. The new adaptation from James Lapine, on the other hand… My review is here.

Of Mice and Men

I do like Anna D. Shapiro's production of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, even with James Franco letting her -- and us -- down. My review's here.

The Library

Steven Soderbergh has long been one of my favorite film directors but I was mightily impressed by his NY stage debut, The Library. Now that's a show that works as theater, not a stage version of TV. I loved the clinical tone as well. My review's here.

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill

Does great mimicry a Broadway show make? Thataway for my review of this new production with Audra McDonald.

Bullets Over Broadway

Woody Allen and Susan Stroman's musical adaptation of Bullets Over Broadway hit the sweet spot for me. My review's here.

The Heir Apparent

I quite like David Ives' work, especially when the comic engine gets in high gear, but he trips with his latest, The Heir Apparent. My review's here.

Greta Gerwig comes to off-Broadway

A short piece about Greta Gerwig replacing Maggie Gyllenhaal in the upcoming play The Village Bike.

The Most Deserving

Culture wars unfurl in a small Kansas town, but the satire is gentle rather than sharp. My review of this Women's Project show is here.

The Threepenny Opera

How can you stage The Threepenny Opera without anger or humor? Answer at the Atlantic. Thataway for my review.

The Realistic Joneses

Will Eno finally makes it to Broadway and the least I can say is that he didn't do it by compromising. For better or for worse, The Realistic Joneses is pure Eno. Thataway for my review.

A Raisin in the Sun

A terrific production of a terrific play: Latest revival of A Raisin in the Sun is commercial, mainstream Broadway at its finest — and no, that is not an underhanded compliment because that stuff is devilishly hard to pull off. My review's here.

The Most Happy Fella

New Encores! production makes unimpeachable case for Frank Loesser's The Most Happy Fella. Utterly glorious. Too bad I didn't have more space for my review, but hey, it's better than nothing.

Nashville stars hit the road

That would be stars of the TV show Nashville, not the actual city. And I for one am excited! Click here for my little guide as to who's going to turn up onstage.

Heathers: The Musical

The musical adaptation of Heathers sanded out the nihilistic edges but it's still a very fun show. My review's here.