THE HANGOVER REPORT – Maestro Levine leads a noble account of DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE at the Met

Tonight, I caught the opening night performance of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte led by the Metropolitan Opera’s esteemed longtime maestro, James Levine. In recent years, Mr. Levine has suffered a series of health … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The thrilling Vittorio Grigolo leads a coolly menacing LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN

Is it that time of year again? With this past Monday’s premiere of David McVicar’s new production of Bellini’s Norma, the Met’s 2017-2018 season was off and running. Last night, I … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Michel van der Aa’s immersive BLANK OUT at the Park Avenue Armory is a triumph of concept and execution

Tonight, I caught the penultimate performance of Michel van der Aa’s immersive Blank Out at the Park Avenue Armory. Over the years, the Armory has become one of the key purveyors of must-see … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Recapping a summer’s worth of cabaret highs

With the slowdown in theater openings during the summer months, I typically find myself spending more time at cabaret clubs across the city. Indeed, over the course of the summer … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Michael Yates Crowley’s THE RAPE OF THE SABINE WOMEN, BY GRACE B. MATTHAUS is entertaining, if smirky

Before ending its run this past weekend, I was able to take in a performance of Michael Yates Crowley’s entertaining if smirky The Rape of the Sabine Women, by Grace B. Matthaus at … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Nick Robideau’s subversive, playful INANIMATE opens the new Flea

Last night marked my first visit to the Flea’s shiny new home in Tribeca, happily located just blocks away from its much-loved original space. The shiny and upgraded venue’s inaugural production … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Philip Dawkins’ CHARM exuberantly explores trans issues

Last night I caught Philip Dawkins’ exuberant Charm in an MCC Theater production at the Lucille Lortel. Mr. Dawkins’ play, originally seen in Chicago two years ago, tells the story of Mama Darleena … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – In Memoriam: Bidding farewell to the under-appreciated THE GREAT COMET, BANDSTAND, and GROUNDHOG DAY

Are some shows just too good for Broadway? Over the last few weeks, I bid farewell to three extraordinary new musicals, each of which ended their Broadway runs this month. … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Noni Stapleton’s CHAROLAIS is twisted storytelling (a compliment)

Leave it to the Irish to elevate twisted storytelling into artful theater. Charolais, gleefully written and performed by , is just that. It’s not surprising that the production currently running at 59E59 … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – S. Asher Gelman’s AFTERGLOW is entertaining, engaging telenovela theater

I recently had a chance to catch the recently extended gay-themed relationship drama Afterglow, written and directed by S. Asher Gelman. I had been resisting seeing this one – friends and sources seem … Continue Reading →