THE HANGOVER REPORT – Keen Company comes up with a lovingly wistful TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT

Under Jonathan Silverstein’s guidance, Keen Company has become one of those smallish Off-Broadway theater companies in the city that consistently stage solid, if at times safe, productions. Its fall entry … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Robert O’Hara’s BARBECUE is overcooked

In recent years, three young African American men have established themselves as some of the most exciting voices in contemporary playwriting. They are Tarell Alvin McCraney, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, and Robert … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Two musicals that look to the past for inspiration open, to mixed results

This past weekend, two intriguing Off-Broadway musicals that look to the past for inspiration opened. They are the 1960s jukebox musical Trip of Love at the newly rechristened Stage 42 … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Some disorienting time travel via Caryl Churchill’s CLOUD NINE and Joe DiPietro’s CLEVER LITTLE LIES

The other day, I (unintentionally) booked myself a fascinating double-header that really got me thinking. First, I attended a matinee performance of Caryl Churchill’s audacious, trailblazing Cloud Nine, courtesy of … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Broadway royalty ignites THE GIN GAME revival

Yesterday, I caught the Broadway revival of D.L. Coburn’s 1977 Pulitzer Prize-winning The Gin Game, starring two titans of stage and screen, James Earl Jones and Cicely Tyson. The play … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The rechristened MasterVoices produces a sparkling PIRATES

Last night I was treated to a sparkling concert performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance (or the Slave of Duty) at City Center, courtesy of the recently … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Company XIV’s sexy, playful CINDERELLA seduces

Company XIV has in recent years made a name for itself by turning safe, well-worn classics (like their naughty Nutcracker adaptation, Nutcracker Rouge, and their new production of Snow White … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The Met unleashes a sublime TANNHÄUSER

Last night, I caught what is surely one of the highlights of the current Met season – this fall’s revival of Otto Schenk’s ultra traditional 1977 staging of Wagner’s Tannhäuser, … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Hell is (the lack of) other people, according to THE CHRISTIANS and FULFILLMENT

This past weekend, I caught two new fascinating if uneven plays Off-Broadway. The Christians, Lucas Hnath’s sensitive new play at Playwrights Horizons, tells the story of Paul, the pastor of … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – This FOOL FOR LOVE sizzles, crackles, and should not be missed

Part Taming of the Shrew, part ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, and all Sam Shepard, Fool for Love (by Mr. Shepard) famously examines a scorching and inevitable love that should … Continue Reading →