VIEWPOINTS – Assessing winter premieres at New York City Ballet: Justin Peck’s THE WIND-UP and Alexei Ratmansky’s THE NAKED KING

New York City Ballet’s current winter season is notable for having unveiled two world premieres, both of which of which I was able to catch last week. Here are my … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – As led by Iván Fischer, the BUDAPEST FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA satisfies the soul with deeply human music-making

Oh how I’ve missed Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra. Over the years, they’ve been responsible for some of the most revolutionary and profound experiences I’ve had at a … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The delightfully on-script revival of the tuneful yet bizarre musical HIGH SPIRITS harkens back to the Encores! of old

The 2026 season of New York City Center’s Encores! series commenced this week with the first major New York revival of High Spirits, songwriters Hugh Martin and Timothy Gray’s delightfully … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Nightlife roundup: The endearing Frankenstein monster CHRISTEENE beguiles, the MINGUS BIG BAND continues a master’s legacy

Often to supplement my performing arts outings, I cap the night off with a late night performance palette cleanser at one of New York’s many nightlife entertainment venues. Over he … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Belting Broadway divas still going for broke: PATTI LUPONE at Carnegie Hall and LINDA EDER at 54 Below

Over two consecutive nights, I had the great pleasure of basking in the presence and vocal firepower of a pair of legendary Broadway belters. These would be Patti LuPone and … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Michael Walek’s THE BOOKSTORE is a gentle and wise homage to books, New York City, and chosen families

If you’re looking to cozy up to a piece of theater this frigid winter, I’d recommend that you consider making your way to 59E59 Theaters to catch New Jersey Repertory … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Classical music roundup: Honeck brings out the best in the NY PHILHARMONIC, and a GREGORY SPEARS world premiere mesmerizes

This past weekend, I took in a pair of superb classical music performances that went a long way in dispelling the recent arctic chill we’ve been experiencing. As always, read … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Encores for fringe hits: The Attic Collective’s AND HER CHILDREN, Katy Murphy’s (NO) REFUNDS, and Awkward Productions’ DIANA

This January and February, New York has been playing host — thanks primarily to SoHo Playhouse’s International Fringe Encore Series — to a number of return engagements of shows that … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Raging against the machine: Paranoia-drenched plays like Tracy Letts’ BUG and Matthew Libby’s DATA strike a timely chord

This past week, I came across two effective psychological thrillers that feature paranoid characters raging against the machine — particularly as it relates to the questionable interests and activities of … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Models of bad romances: Michelle Williams in ANNA CHRISTIE and the American premiere of BLACKOUT SONGS

Sometimes it takes being in a toxic relationship to feel fully alive. Like drugs, however, the habit can be dangerously addictive and even life-threatening when engaged in excessively. Currently on … Continue Reading →