THE HANGOVER REPORT – At 54 Below, Tony-nominee TOM PECINKA basks in the classic rock songbook and “Stereophonic”

Earlier this week on the heels of the blizzard that practically shut down New York City, actor Tom Pecinka made his solo debut in a one-night-only appearance at 54 Below. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – History through the fantastical lens of theater: MARCEL ON THE TRAIN at CSC and MOTHER RUSSIA at Signature

As we all know, history is a slippery, tricky thing. Currently on the boards, there are two new Off-Broadway plays that have chosen to cut through the thick gauze of … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – In its opening days, DANCE REFLECTIONS ambitiously takes on technology, human connection, and the natural world

This past week saw the arrival and departure of the three initial offerings of the 2026 edition of the Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Festival, an expansive, nearly … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Rouvali confidently leads the NY PHILHARMONIC in a program of works by Rachmaninoff, Bartók, and Nelson

This past week, maestro Santtu-Matias Rouvali — principal conductor of London’s Philharmonia and honorary conductor of Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra — returned to confidently lead the New York Philharmonic in a … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – A pair of piercing documentary theater works look back at past crises: Daniel Fish’s KRAMER/FAUCI and Milo Rau’s HATE RADIO

This snowy and chilly February, theatergoers have been given two opportunities — courtesy of a pair of adventurous and highly curious auteur stage directors — to look back at past … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The gorgeous and glamorous VANESSA WILLIAMS intimately holds court at 54 Below

This week, multi-talented A-lister Vanessa Williams has taken a weeklong hiatus from her high profile theatrical stint across the pond as the iconic creature of fashion Miranda Priestly in the … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Dance roundup: Anticipated debuts at City Ballet’s SLEEPING BEAUTY, commercial street dance animates 11 TO MIDNIGHT

Before New York dance aficionados are bombarded by the onslaught of offerings coming their way via the upcoming Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Festival, here are my thoughts … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Scrappy opera companies banking on the genre’s ability to speak to today: Heartbeat Opera’s MANON! and Off-Brand Opera’s 3PENNY OPERA

This winter also saw the arrival and departure of a pair of substantially revised versions of classic works of the operatic canon from two scrappy opera companies that are banking … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Uncompromising music theater to catch: Paul Pinto’s MANO A MANO and La Daniella’s GOOEY’S TOXIC AQUATIC ADVENTURE

If formulaic musicals on the Great White Way aren’t necessarily your calling card, then may I suggest that you check out some uncompromising works of new music theater that can … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – A pair of Shakespeare tragedies arise this winter: KING LEAR at La MaMa and THE TRAGEDY OF CORIOLANUS at TFANA

This winter, a pair of Off-Broadway productions of meaty Shakespeare tragedies have arisen in robust, full-bodied manner. As per usual, read on for my thoughts on these revivals — one … Continue Reading →