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 →

VIEWPOINTS – UNDER THE RADAR 2026 Roundup, Part 2: Still marveling at the breadth and sheer invention of the theatrical treats on display

Over the past week or so, I marched forward with my full tilt Under the Radar immersion, during which I continued to marvel at the breadth and sheer invention on … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – PROTOTYPE 2026 Roundup: Beth Morrison Projects continues to shape the aesthetic of contemporary opera

Aside from Under the Radar, January’s other marquee performing arts festival is Prototype, an undisputed nexus for the presentation of new and often times gutsy opera. For the festival’s 2026 … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Xian Zhang leads a solid outing with the NY PHIL, conducting works by Schumann, Tchaikovsky, and Chen Yi

This past weekend, Xian Zhang led the New York Philharmonic in a solid outing that included pieces by Schumann and Tchaikovsky — the concert’s featured soloist was the great veteran … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – UNDER THE RADAR 2026 Roundup, Part 1: Urgently expounding on the human condition, breaking down performative barriers in the process

Approximately halfway through my immersion in the dizzying and ambitious performance lineup that is Under the Radar 2026, I’ve taken the time to pause and collect my thoughts on what … Continue Reading →