VIEWPOINTS – The old and the new guard at 54 Below: UTE LEMPER sings Kurt Weill, ANNA ZAVELSON & HENRY PATTERSON epitomize youthful optimism

Over the past week or so, I’ve augmented my regularly scheduled performing arts programming to take in some wonderful cabaret entertainment at 54 Below. Read on for my thoughts on … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Off-Broadway roundup: Summerworks kicks off with BUSINESS IDEAS and THE UNITED STATES VS ULYSSES at Irish Arts Center

This past holiday weekend, I stayed in town and took in a pair of new Off-Broadway plays, both of which have been beautifully produced and provided rich food for thought. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Dance roundup: Bill T. Jones’s CURRICULUM III: PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS and Kyle Abraham’s WHEN WE FELL for City Ballet

In the world of dance, two of this past week’s highlights included the latest Bill T. Jones dance theater piece, as well as the live in-person version of a streamed … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Dudamel returns, incisively leading the NY PHILHARMONIC in an homage to the symphonic form

To the delight of many music fans, the New York Philharmonic’s incoming music director Gustavo Dudamel has returned to close out the orchestra’s 2024/2025 season. The first of these Dudamel-led … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Heartbeat Opera brings intimacy, contemporary flourish, and stylish noir to Gounod’s FAUST

As one of the grandest of grand operas, it would seem that Charles Gounod’s Faust — based on the well-trodden legend about a man who sells his soul to the … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Hallucinatory musical journeys: LIGHTS OUT: NAT “KING” COLE at New York Theatre Workshop and BOWL EP at the Vineyard

This past week, a pair of what can be best described as hallucinatory musical journeys opened Off-Broadway. Although seemingly disparate by categorization — one is a jukebox musical based on … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Alexander Molochnikov’s pointed production of SEAGULL: TRUE STORY works marvelously on multiple levels

On Monday night, Russian theater and film director Alexander Molochnikov’s pointed production of Seagull: True Story opened at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in the East Village. The piece is both adapted … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Dance roundup: CITY BALLET mostly beguiles in its contemporary choreography bill and PARSONS DANCE returns to The Joyce

Last week, I had the chance to attend a pair of dance performances that together indicated a spring dance season in full swing. As always, read on for my thoughts. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Nonbinary cabaret artists come out to heal: JUSTIN VIVIAN BOND swells in “Well, Well” and JOHN JARBOE conducts a sing-along

This month’s nightlife adventures have led me to a pair of cabaret shows by uncompromising nonbinary talents, both of whom sought to provide solace in these unsettled times. As always, … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Breslin and Foley’s THE LAST BIMBO OF THE APOCALYPSE giddily dissects celebrity culture by way of the internet

Last night, The New Group’s production of The Last Bimbo of the Apocalypse opened Off-Broadway at the Pershing Square Signature Center. Created by Michael Breslin and Patrick Foley — the … Continue Reading →