Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Christmas in Hell
Someone on Twitter brought up my lede for this review so now you really have to read it, right? It's right here.
Sunday, December 16, 2018
To Kill a Mockingbirg
Aaron Sorkin's adaptation dilutes Scout's voice to make space for a Grisham-esque legal thriller. Click here for my Newsday review of To Kill a Mockingbird on Broadway.
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken's Christmas Show
It's that time of the year when…you know the rest. I put on my elf hat to check out the American Idol alums' holiday extravaganza on Broadway, and lived to tell the tale here.
Dinner and a show or dinner at a show?
I've been eating out a lot this past fall — at the theater. It's not that concessions have dramatically changed but that a freakishly high number of shows have been serving all manners of food as part of the story. Read more here.
The World Is Yours
Romain Gavras' second feature went straight to Netflix in the US and I reviewed it for the Times. So much fun! Click here for the link.
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Chasing the New White Whale
What if the opioid epidemic was the new Moby Dick? That is the idea behind a new show at La MaMa, but alas the production falls short of its ambition. My Times review is here.
Cool ski lodges
Almost as fun as barreling down the slopes is staying in a good ski lodge: it's all part of the Alpine tradition. I picked a few good ones for Newsday and you can find them here.
Monday, November 26, 2018
When women take to the ski slopes
Friday, November 23, 2018
Bernie and Mikey's Trip to the Moon
In a weird way we're having a Paddy Chayefsky moment in NY: Network is on Broadway and Scott Aiello's debut play made me think of Chayefsky's TV work in the 1950s. My review is here.
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Interview with Heidi Schreck
If you ever want to interview someone smart, articulate and nice, I highly recommend Heidi Schreck. Our chat for The Hollywood Reporter can be found here.
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes
We had hecklers at the Christmas Spectacular this year! My review for the Times is here.
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Four cool ski towns
I wrote about four cool ski towns for The Wall Street Journal. Thataway for the mountain fun!
The three faces of Cher
There is a little something called The Cher Show on Broadway, and it takes three actresses to play the pop star. I was lucky to talk to all three at the Neil Simon Theater last week, and the result is here. Click on that link if only for the fantastic photos!
Monday, November 05, 2018
A Midsummer Night's Dream
The latest from the Public Theater's Mobile Unit is a fast and loose take on A Midsummer Night's Dream. You lose some (the poetry and bittersweet feels) but you also gain some (it's often very funny). Click here for my review.
I'm Not a Comedian...I'm Lenny Bruce
What Would Lenny Bruce Do? Doesn't matter: chances are, current progressive activists would not like it. I reviewed Ronnie Marmo's solo show for the Times, and it's here.
Torch Song
There's a lot of talent onstage in Torch Song, but it's not actually doing much for the play itself. I reviewed the Broadway transfer of this revival for Newsday.
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Best ski resorts for beginners, northeast division
My latest ski story for Newsday: the best ski resorts for beginners in the northeast. It's never too late to learn, folks! Click here for the article.
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Gloria — A Life
My first review for The Hollywood Reporter is of the new bioplay Gloria — A Life, about Gloria Steinem. The show's subject popped up at the end of the performance so year: awe-struck. Click here for the review.
Monday, October 15, 2018
Sakina's Restaurant
I thoroughly enjoyed Aasif Mandvi's solo play, especially for what it tells us about 1998 vs 2018 -- and it's been left pretty much intact from then. Click here for my Times review.
Travisville
William Jackson Harper makes a polished playwriting debut. A bit too polished perhaps -- and yes, there is such a thing. Click here for my review for the Times.
Sunday, October 07, 2018
The Evolution of Mann
Max Crumm wasn't the one we wanted back in that Kathleen Marshall Grease revival (a cynical ploy if there ever was one), but he's much better in the otherwise blah new musical The Evolution of Mann. Click here for my Times review.
"Art" in quotation marks
Yasmina Reza's "Art" (quotation marks in the title) is 24 and aging rather well. A reason: we now fight dirty with our friends, exactly as she described it back then. The very entertaining tg STAN/Dood Paard revival only confirmed that. Check here for my New York Times piece about how our perception of the play has changed over the years.
Friday, September 28, 2018
Uncle Romeo Vanya Juliet
Bedlam tries a theatrical mashup and let's just say it didn't quite gel. Click here for my review.
Todd Solondz makes his stage debut
I talked to Todd Solondz about making his stage debut as playwright and director at the Flea Theater. Thataway for my New York Times feature.
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Soundstage
Rob Roth's Soundstage at HERE is intriguing but ultimately unrewarding. It did make me wonder what would happen if a director gave Rebecca Hall a siren role in a movie. Click here for my review.
Monday, September 10, 2018
Ingmar Bergman International Theater Festival
I went to Stockholm for the Ingmar Bergman International Theater Festival and wow, what a trip! Click here for the story.
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Can critics learn to love the jukebox musical?
A tricky question, isn't it? I'd say jukebox musicals are like all shows: some work and others don't. In any case, it was a real delight to debate with the Times' theater team. Click here for the link.
Friday, August 24, 2018
Red Emma and the Mad Monk
Yay, summer discovery! There's an infectious, eccentric new musical at the Tank and you should see it, especially if you want to discover new voices. Note: I think this was my first use of "post-Michael Friedman." Click here for my review.
R.R.R.E.D.
There is an unfortunate musical about the possible extinction of redheads at DR2, and I was there to review it for the Times.
Friday, August 17, 2018
Pretty Woman: The Musical
I reviewed Pretty Woman: The Musical for Newsday, and compared to most of the other takes, my take-down is almost a rave! Read for yourself here.
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Gettin' the Band Back Together
I reviewed this new musical for Newsday and...yikes! How is this even on Broadway when New World Stages is its natural habitat? Click here for the link.
Friday, August 10, 2018
What's in a show title?
Plenty, as it turns out -- whether that title is just one word or two dozen and nine exclamation marks. Click here for my piece in the Times about current trends in play titles.
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Inside the Ventriloquist Convention
I was honored to be asked to write a piece for "Inside the Times," the article on A2 (inside the front cover) that goes behind the scenes of a particular feature. Click here to know more about how I heard about the ventriloquist convention and researched it, and the fun stuff that happened at the Holiday Inn bar.
Stephen King and Castle Rock: so many references
The new Hulu show Castle Rock is loaded with hidden (and not so hidden) gifts to Stephen King readers. I came up with a list of movies and shows that'll help you catch up.
The Ventriloquist Convention
I spent a few days at the Ventriloquist Convention and let's just say I'll never forget them. Fortunately I got to write about the experience for the Times, and it's right here.
Sunday, July 29, 2018
Fire in Dreamland
My latest for the Village Voice is a review of Rinne Groff's Fire in Dreamland, at the Public.
Monday, July 16, 2018
Let's go car-camping in New York state
Don't feel like backpacking but still want to sleep (almost) under the stars? New York offers a whole bunch of public and private campgrounds where you can just drive up to your spot. I picked a few of them for Newsday, and they're right here.
Marie and Bruce
Jack doesn't often put on revivals but if you're going to do one, Wallace Shawn's Marie and Bruce is quite a pick. Here's my review for the Times.
Saturday, July 14, 2018
Laura Bush Killed a Guy
Oops, forgot to link to this review from the Times, of a show about that time Laura Bush (accidentally) killed a man. Also, there are cookies — the real kind, not the kind that track your whereabouts. Thataway for the review.
Thursday, July 12, 2018
How the Go-Go's found their beat
OMG there's a new Go-Go's musical on Broadway and I talked to them! That's it, that's all you need to know. Now click here for the article.
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Leonard Bernstein's Peter Pan
Turns out in 1950 Leonard Bernstein wrote the score for a staging of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan. Now that show is back at Bard College, and I wrote about it for the Times. Click here for the amazing photos (and my article, of course).
Monday, June 18, 2018
Radio Delirio
Turns out it's not easy to make a memorable show about a man trying hard to make sure he's not noticed. Click here for my review of Radio Delirio.
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Al l Want Is One Night
Jessica Walker does not disappoint with her new show, about the French chanteuse Suzy Solidor. Read my review of this swell cabaret show here.
Monday, June 11, 2018
Marketplace
I was one of the people interviewed by Marketplace about Broadway prices, a subject I feel especially passionate about. Click here to hear the segment.
Monday, June 04, 2018
Tchaikovsky: None but the Lonely Heart
The Ensemble for the Romantic Century is back with this interesting piece about the platonic relationship between Tchaikovsky and his patron, Nadzhda von Meck. Thataway for my review.
The 25 best plays of the past 25 years
Monday, May 28, 2018
Harry Potter for beginners
Is it possible to enjoy Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway if haven't read the books or seen the movies? I wasn't convinced, and wrote about it for the Times.
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Link Link Circus
After Green Porno, Isabella Rossellini is back with another wonderfully eccentric theatrical lecture about animals. My review of Link Link Circus is here.
Disco musicals on Broadway
Broadway has made its peace with rock and hip-hop, and now Summer looks like it could be its first disco hit. I looked at some of its predecessors in the Times in this sparkly disco charticle!
Saturday, May 12, 2018
David Zinn's SpongeBob SquarePants costumes
It couldn't have been any more perfect: David Zinn showed me some of his costumes for SpongeBob SquarePants backstage at the Palace. So exciting! But really, it's the photos that make it. Have a look over there, and prepare to be dazzled.
Wednesday, May 09, 2018
It's Eurovision time!
This year I helped with a New York Times package about that most beloved (by some of us) European institution: the Eurovision Song Contest. Thataway for the goods, and look for the bit about DJ ohRicky..
Monday, May 07, 2018
Fun things to do in the Bronx
My guide to the Bronx is out now with Newsday. Clearly it's just scratching the surface, but if you've never been, this will get you started.
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Seagullmachine
I gotta admit I love this title: Seagullmachine. So cool! Alas, I'm less fond of the show itself, an attempt to mash up The Seagull and Hamletmachine. My Times review is here.
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Cheapskate's Guide to the Good Life
I contributed a couple of items to the Wall Street Journal's "Cheapskate Guide to the Good Life": Can you find them? The whole (cheap) enchilada is here.
Sunday, April 22, 2018
We Live by the Sea
Here's what theater can do: tell a good, simple story in a good, simple way. You'd be amazed how hard it is to pull off, but the Patch of Blue company did just that. My review is here.
Angélica Liddell comes to New Jersey
The Spanish queen of theatrical transgression came to New Jersey: do you really think I'd have missed that show? My review for the Times is here.
My Fair Lady
The Lincoln Center Theater revival of My Fair Lady is such a treat, and I got to review it for Newsday!
Monday, April 16, 2018
The Be More Chill phenomenon
Even if you follow musicals, you can be forgiven for not having heard of Be More Chill: After all, it only had a month-long run in NJ just under three years ago. Last year, however, the cast album took off, fueled by viral fan interest. I tracked it all in this Times feature.
King Lear
The RSC was back at BAM with Gregory Doran's King Lear, starring Antony Sher. My thoughts for the Times.
Wednesday, April 04, 2018
Tuesday, April 03, 2018
Live from the Humana Festival
I flew down to Louisville for the Humana Festival and had a blast. What could be better than gorge on theater while staying in a hotel and not worry about cooking or making the bed? I will say that I'm happy Please and Thank You does not have a branch in NYC because their chocolate-chip cookies are now my favorite ever. It's hard to stop at just three, or 30. OK, and now just read my report for the Times.
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Women, sports and theater
Women, sports and theater: three great tastes that taste great together! Another think piece for the Times, and it's thataway.
What constitutes the American Songbook?
I came up with some kind of theory about what constitutes the American Songbook. Hint: it's not so much about the Songbook part as it is about the American part. Click here for my Times piece.
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Babette's Feast
Isak Dinesen's short story gets the stage treatment courtesy of Karin Coonrod, and I'm not entirely sold. Click here for my review.
Monday, March 19, 2018
Leonora and Alejandro
I could not make head nor tail of this play, but it's about Leonora Carrington and Alejandro Jodorowsky so that's par for the course. And I loved it. Do you want a head trip? Head to Montclair! And don't forget to read my Times review.
Oye! For My Dear Brooklyn
Modesto "Flako" Jimenez strikes out on his own in this unruly but pretty damn cool show at Abrons. My review for the Times is here.
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Three Wise Guys
TACT tried to tackle Damon Runyon for their latest (and last) show. Here's my review for the Times.
Thursday, March 08, 2018
If you loved Babylon Berlin...
The 16 episodes of Babylon Berlin flew by. If you're going through withdrawal, these shows may help.
Tuesday, March 06, 2018
Time No Line
It's always a pleasure to catch up with whatever John Kelly is up to, but I particularly enjoyed Time No Line. It's got a few days left at La MaMa, so make your way to E. 4th St. In the meantime, here's my review for the Times.
Sunday, March 04, 2018
Black Light
Jomama Jones, diva extraordinaire, shines in Black Light at Joe's Pub. Until she starts singing. My review for the Times is here.
Joël Pommerat's Little Red Riding Hood
French writer-director Joël Pommerat presented his Little Red Riding Hood this weekend, and I previewed it for the New York Times here.
Monday, February 26, 2018
New Georges tackles sound
I reviewed a double bill of sound-centric new plays for the Times. As you may know, I'm frustrated by theater's lack of interest in the possibilities of sound, so it was rewarding to catch shows that at least try to make the most of it. Click here for my critic's notebook.
Sunday, February 25, 2018
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Against the Hillside
Going to EST is always a bit of a trip, often in more ways than one. A few days ago (sorry for the delay posting, I was otherwise engaged), I reviewed Against the Hillside for the Times.
Sunday, February 04, 2018
Interview with Nina Hoss
Like most Americans familiar with her work, I discovered Nina Hoss in the Christian Petzold movies Barbara and Phoenix. It was a real treat to interview her before her star turn in Returning to Reims. Thataway for my chat with one of my favorite contemporary actors.
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Divine Horsemen
I climbed several sets of stairs to reach Divine Horsemen at the Access Theater, then I reviewed the show for the Times.
Cute Activist
After Cute Activist, I definitely want to see more from the New Saloon company. Here's my review for the Village Voice.
Monday, January 15, 2018
The rarity of the rock & roll experience in plays
For the life of me I can't understand why rock is never used as a subject or even as background in American plays. Well, turns out two shows just did, and I reviewed them for the Times. Click here.
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
All About Bruce Haack
Bruce Haack's 1970s concept albums The Electric Lucifer and Electric Lucifer Book 2 have been turned into a rock opera by Jim Findlay and Philip White. What a trip to dig into Haack's life for the Times. Click here!
Tuesday, January 09, 2018
Unexploded Ordnances (UXO)
I reviewed Split Britches' latest for the Times and it's here. Amazing that in all these years, this is the first time I've officially written about this company!
Friday, January 05, 2018
Blanka Zizka and the Wilma experiment
A fascinating theatrical experiment is underway in Philadelphia, and I wrote about it for the Times. Click here to read all about the Wilma.
Monday, January 01, 2018
Interview with Dane Terry
I love all those genre-hopping artists who keep popping up in the downtown scene. Check out Dane Terry, whom I interviewed for the Times.
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