VIEWPOINTS – Docu-dramas that use history to expose today’s woes: Assessing the return of KRAMER/FAUCI and the US premiere of FOUR WALLS AND A ROOF

Over the last week, I took in two theatrical docu-dramas that keenly reconstructed historical happenings, stealthily exposing today’s woes in the process. Read on for my assessments on the return … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The Met’s atmospheric new production LINCOLN IN THE BARDO manifests the strange liminal world between the living and the dead

Last night, I was able to catch up with The Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Lincoln in the Bardo. Based on George Saunders 2017 Booker Prize–winning novel of the same … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Truth and deception explored in two new Off-Broadway dramas: David Zax’s AFTERMATH, Kate Vozella’s MACHINE LEARNING

This past week, I came across a pair of Off-Broadway plays that examine the notions of truth and deception within the context of intimate relationships. Here are my thoughts on … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In Roundabout’s buoyant THE IMAGINARY INVALID, Bill Irwin masterfully channels commedia dell’arte in service of Molière

The fall Broadway season kicked into high gear with last night’s opening of Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival of Molière’s The Imaginary Invalid at the Todd Haimes Theatre. The adaptation is … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The warm-hearted musical adaptation of THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON arrives Off-Broadway

Last night, the highly anticipated musical adaptation of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button opened Off-Broadway at The Public Theater. The familiar tale about a man who ages in reverse … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Frightful political theater leading up to the midterm elections: Caryl Churchill’s TRIUMPH and Anne Washburn’s ANON

In these few weeks leading up to the midterm elections, I’d like to highlight some frightful political theater to get your blood pumping. ‘Tis Halloween season, after all. Here are … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – A stealthy, quirky (and unrelated) double feature at the Cherry Lane: Milo Cramer’s SCHOOL PICTURES and Eliya Smith’s TWO GIRLS

This fall at Off-Broadway’s historic, fabulously retrofitted Cherry Lane Theatre in the West Village, theatergoers have the unique opportunity to catch a quirky theatrical double feature. Here are my thoughts … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Todrick Hall’s exciting but uneven new musical MIDNIGHT re-shuffles the past to unlock the present

Where to start with a hugely exciting but uneven show like the new musical Midnight, which officially opened Off-Broadway a few days ago just off of Union Square at the … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Elevated Halloween thrills: Engaging the senses in Manual Cinema’s THE 4TH WITCH and Audible Theater’s A GHOST IN YOUR EAR

Move over Paranormal Activity, New Yorkers looking for elevated Halloween thrills have other (artful) options far from the bright lights of Broadway. Here are my thoughts on two shows that … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Duncan Sheik’s final musical MEMOIRS OF AMOROUS GENTLEMEN channels “Moulin Rouge” and “Cabaret”

One of the more tragic pieces of news to come out of this fall theater season is the passing of Duncan Sheik, a songwriter who, with his award-winning musical adaptation … Continue Reading →