VIEWPOINTS – Reflecting on 25 years of RENT: Remembering a white hot performance and its lasting impact

I’m not exaggerating when I say that Rent changed my life 25 years ago, as it did for its legions of fans. I was a junior at a parochial high … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Andy Einhorn and company give a heartfelt salute to Jerry Herman in YOU I LIKE

Last night, glass of wine in hand, I had the pleasure of sitting back and enjoying You I Like: A Musical Celebration of Jerry Herman, Pasadena Playhouse’s entertaining and balanced … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – The spirit of the Broadway musical persists in RATATOUILLE: THE TIKTOK MUSICAL and JINGLE JANGLE: A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY

Although live/in-person theater is becoming an increasingly distant memory, the irrepressible spirit of the Broadway musical persists in other mediums. Here are my thoughts on two of these hybrid endeavors. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Highly anticipated stage-to-screen adaptations: A searingly acted MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM and a faithfully transcribed THE PROM

December was a big month for major stage-to-screen adaptations. Indeed, much to the delight of locked-down theater fans, the recent weeks saw the Netflix premieres of the highly anticipated film … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Streaming Diary: Wholesome holiday entertainment via NORM LEWIS’s Christmas show, the Old Vic’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and Irish Rep’s MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS

For those of you seeking more traditional, wholesome holiday entertainment, I recommend that you check out the recently-viewed virtual Christmas treats below. NORM LEWIS: CHRISTMASTIME IS HERE!Feinstein’s/54 BelowOn-demand through December … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Catching up with some of Broadway’s favorite leading ladies: AN EVENING WITH AUDRA MCDONALD, LEA SALONGA IN CONCERT, and BROADWAY PRINCESS HOLIDAY CONCERT

Last week, I caught up with some of Broadway’s favorite leading ladies. Here are my thoughts on their recent virtual concerts. AN EVENING WITH AUDRA MCDONALDNew York City CenterOn-demand through … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Streaming Diary: The late, great Brian Dennehy in a landmark DEATH OF A SALESMAN, Irish Rep’s A TOUCH OF THE POET, and Woolly Mammoth’s telephonic HUMAN RESOURCES

Here are my thoughts on two recent viewings and one interesting telephone call. DEATH OF A SALESMANGoodman Theatre One of the most impactful and influential experiences in all my theatergoing … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Vivid film captures of the theatrical experience: David Byrne’s AMERICAN UTOPIA & Heidi Schreck’s WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME

Two of last year’s unlikeliest and most deserving Broadway successes were David Byrne’s American Utopia and Heidi Schreck’s What the Constitution Means to Me. Just as unlikely are their high … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Translated from stage to screen: Mart Crowley’s THE BOYS IN THE BAND and Kenneth MacMillan’s ROMEO & JULIET

Over the last week, I had the opportunity to assess the recent screen adaptations of two iconic stage works. Happily, both have made the jump successfully and augment the current … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Being Lin-Manuel Miranda: IN THE HEIGHTS: CHASING BROADWAY DREAMS & WE ARE FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME

It seems that wherever you turn these days in the world of entertainment, there’s a good chance that you’ll come across the beaming face of Lin-Manuel Miranda. Make no mistake, I’m … Continue Reading →