Friday, February 14, 2025

Bridget Jones Mad About the Boy

The new Bridget Jones movie is going to do really well: Not only is it better than it needed to be but it's landing in an anxiety-making context where people are craving a well-made comedy. My review is here.

Night Sings Its Songs

Jon Fosse plays are a rare occurrence in NYC so of course I had to check out a new production of Nights Sings Its Songs — and reviewed it for the NY Times. Unfortunately, it was underwhelming.

Urinetown is back

I didn't like Urinetown the first time around, but re-watching the original Broadway production at the Library for the Performing Arts then seeing the Encores! revival made me change my mind: This is a really good musical. You can read my review of the Encores! Urinetown here.

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

A week in Peter Mills Weiss's cultural life

Another culture diary, this time from one of my favorite NY theatermakers. Weird theater is alive! Thataway for the article — and its terrific photos!

Primero Sueño

To write this story about the new processional opera Primero Sueño, I watched part of a rehearsal at the Cloisters and was bowled over. Unfortunately I could not see the finished piece due to other commitments, but at least I got to write about it.

Vanya on Huron Street

Once upon a time, Uncle Vanya was on 42nd Street. Now it can be found near the Brooklyn-Queens border. Click here for my review of Matthew Gasda's surprisingly faithful Vanya on Huron Street.

There is theater in Las Vegas

Of course there is theater in Las Vegas, you might say. Well, yes, but probably not the kind you're thinking about. In November I flew to Sin County (you read that right) to report on its thriving Off Strip scene. And the resulting story is here.

Let's watch some sci-fi movies in January

Yes, I know, I'm late posting this and January is almost over — it's not too late! The latest installment of my sci-fi column for the NY Times can be found here. Of course, I'm now working on the next one.

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Some Under the Radar shows

This year's Under the Radar festival is presenting 33 works. I wrote about five of them in this critic's notebook for the New York Times. Hint: Wakka Wakka strikes again!

Ad Vitam

Fast-and-furious French action movies may well be my favorite Netflix category, so you can imagine how psyched I was about Ad Vitam. But boy, did they muck it up. Click here for my review.