VIEWPOINTS – Dramas rooted in persisting pain: Leo McGann’s THE HONEY TRAP and Jordan E. Cooper’s OH HAPPY DAY!

This past week, I came across two new Off-Broadway dramas with a capital “D”, both of which are rooted in persisting pain, conjuring big emotions in relatively small spaces. Read … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Above par musical parodies at Asylum NYC: The unhinged EXORCISTIC and the relentlessly probing SLAM FRANK

This week, I ventured twice down to the comedy venue Asylum NYC to catch a pair of above par musical parodies, a sub-genre that has become somewhat subordinated to other … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The magnetic Stephen Rea is quietly devastating in a meticulous staging of Beckett’s KRAPP’S LAST TAPE

This fall, New York seems to be awash in the theatrical works of Samuel Beckett. A few weeks ago, Jamie Lloyd’s starry revival of Waiting for Godot opened on Broadway … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – An exploration of love and sex forms the crux of Ehan Coen’s juvenile LET’S LOVE! and Ali Keller’s thought-provoking (UN)CONDITIONAL

Currently on the boards of the city’s busy fall theater season, you’ll find a pair of new Off-Broadway plays whose crux is to delve into the quirkiness and irrational workings … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Sans stars, The Met’s illuminating new staging of LA SONNAMBULA still mines the riches of Bellini’s score

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to catch up with the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Bellini’s La Sonnambula. Marketed as a vehicle for two of today’s most exciting … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Legendary bassist RON CARTER sublimely commences his Birdland residency with jazz guitarist Bill Frisell

Last week, Ron Carter commenced his immensely popular annual month-long residency at Birdland Jazz Club. Each week over the course of October, the legendary jazz bassist will be performing four … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – New York City Ballet fall company premieres: Jamar Roberts’ FORESEEABLE FUTURE and Justin Peck’s HEATSCAPE

This just-concluded fall season, New York City Ballet presented a pair of eagerly anticipated premieres from two high profile American choreographers — the world premiere of Jamar Roberts’ Foreseeable Future … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Carmen Cusack shines in an otherwise pleasantly serviceable BULL DURHAM at Paper Mill Playhouse

Continuing in the long line of screen-to-stage adaptations is Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of Bull Durham, which is based on the 1988 baseball themed movie of the same name starring … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Multidisciplinary masterworks in Brooklyn: William Kentridge’s SIBYL and nora chipaumire‘s DAMBUDZO

This past week in Brooklyn, I had the great opportunity to catch a pair of multidisciplinary masterworks, courtesy of two boundary pushing performing arts festivals — one brand new, the … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – The robust fall dance season continues: Program 2 of the ARPINO DANCE FESTIVAL and the return of PARIS OPERA BALLET

This past week was a busy one for dance fans, with quite a number of enticing offerings from a number of institutions and festivals city-wide to choose from. Here are … Continue Reading →