THE HANGOVER REPORT – NYGASP brings back its smartly re-framed production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s THE MIKADO

This past weekend at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, I attended a performance of The Mikado courtesy of the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players — or “NYGASP”, for … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Music director Jaap van Zweden returns to the NY PHIL, purposefully leading a classics-laden program

This week at Lincoln Center, the New York Philharmonic’s out-bound music director Jaap van Zweden returned to to the podium to conduct the orchestra at David Geffen Hall for the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – STORM LARGE returns to New York in a relatively introspective mood with “Inside Voice” at 54 Below

This week, Storm Large returned to New York for a set of cabaret performances at 54 Below. Known for her larger-than-life personality, the Pink Martini singer has captivated fans (including … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Contrasting nights at the Met: A new, revisionist staging of CARMEN and a sturdily traditional revival of NABUCCO

On consecutive evenings this week, I had the opportunity to take in back-to-back viewings of contrasting productions at the Metropolitan Opera. As per usual, read on for my thoughts. CARMENThe … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – THE BEST OF 2023: Theater, Music, and Dance

With 2023 officially behind us, I’ve taken some time to look back at the year to take stock and assess the performances that have stood out and risen to the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – York Theatre Company’s production of THE JERUSALEM SYNDROME is an amusing diversion

Just before concluding its limited run on New Year’s Eve, I was able to catch York Theatre Company’s Off-Broadway production of The Jerusalem Syndrome at the Theatre at St. Jean’s … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Processing life and the universe through song: Gavin Creel’s WALK ON THROUGH and Patrick Olson’s EMERGENCE

I recently had the chance to catch up with two theatrical song cycles that aimed to process life and the world through song – to various degrees of success. Read … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad reunite for the inspired Main Stem outing of GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL!

This week, I had the opportunity to catch up with the inspired Main Stem edition of Gutenberg! The Musical! at the James Earl Jones Theatre. Written by the team of … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Well into its fall/winter season, ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER excels in contemporary classics by Roberts and Abraham

Late in its fall/winter season at New York City Center, I had the opportunity to catch a few more performances by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Despite its grueling schedule … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – A fresh, young secondary cast of THE MAGIC FLUTE injects life into the Met’s holiday presentation of the Mozart favorite

Fantastical spectacle aside, Mozart’s The Magic Flute is a strange opera for family holiday consumption — which is exactly how the Metropolitan Opera has marketed and programmed the popular singspiel. … Continue Reading →